An Acceptable Marriage (BOOK 5)

Chapter 4

"Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relation."

― Robert A. Heinlein, Have Space Suit—Will Travel

Arabella spent the rest of the evening dancing and talking with Frances, John and the Cook siblings. She in her element; she knew how to reply, what to say, how to look. These were things that came naturally to her.

By the end of the night her feet were sore but her heart was light. At a quarter to eleven Oliver came over, touching her gently on the elbow.

"We should go," he said quietly, smiling at Frances and John politely.

"Of course," Arabella replied, turning to her friend to say goodbye.

"I'll tell you more," Frances whispered as they embraced.

"I'm counting on it. Goodbye John, it was awfully nice to meet you," she said louder, smiling at her friend's betrothed and offering her hand.

"The pleasure was mine," John kissed it lightly.

"Goodbye Miss Mortimer, Mr Reed," Oliver bowed slightly, turning away.

"Lady Thorpe, leaving so soon?" Lord Cook appeared, his pale hair resting artfully over one eye.

"I'm afraid so, but it was lovely seeing you again. I do hope you and your sister will call at Bingham soon."

"We'd be delighted. Goodnight Sir Thorpe," he kissed Arabella's outstretched hand, smiling at her brother.

"Goodnight, good to meet you," Oliver nodded, his arm still looped through Arabella's.

The two youngest Thorpe siblings made their way through the crowd and towards the door.

"Why the sudden urge to leave?" Arabella asked as soon as they were in their carriage, the curtains shut against the cool night air.

"There was a woman there who was making unwelcome advances and I didn't have to heart to tell her I was engaged." Oliver replied, taking off his hat and running a hand through his dark hair.

"Ah, well, other than that did you enjoy yourself?"

"I did, and you? I notice you and Bertram Cook were quite cosy the whole evening."

"I enjoyed myself yes," Arabella smiled slightly. "Lord Cook and myself are getting along rather well."

"I could see that. And what about that John fellow?"

"What about him?"

"Is there anything between him and Frances?"

"They're courting and I think Frances wants her father to give them his blessing. I suppose we'll have to see how that goes."

"He's a strange one."

"How do you mean?"

"I'm not sure, but something about him seems odd."

"You're starting to sound like Lilly."

"No, I don't mean that 'he's hiding his mad sister away somewhere' strange, I just mean I feel like Frances ought to be careful."

"Why?"

"She's a very pretty young lady, she should be careful men do not use that to their advantage."

"I appreciate that you're looking out for her but he seems like a very respectable man and I'm sure Frances knows what she's doing."

"I hope so."

Arabella smiled and leant her head against the side of the carriage, opening the curtain slightly so that a cool breeze flowed onto her face.

The carriage pulled up to Bingham Park and the siblings disembarked in silence, making their way through the large doorway to find a doctor standing in the entrance hall, looking grim as he spoke to Lilly, Alice and their husbands.