An Acceptable Marriage (BOOK 5)

Chapter 6

"You need not be sorry for her. She was one of the kind that likes to grow up. In the end she grew up of her own free will a day quicker than the other girls."

― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Arabella didn't have a chance to speak to Bertram much until after most of the guests had left. He approached her with an apologetic smile.

"I am so sorry I abandoned you all evening, I do hope you will forgive me."

"Of course, you were busy playing host. It was a very successful evening I think, thank you ever so much." She replied.

"It was my pleasure. I do enjoy hosting."

"And you make a wonderful host."

"You are too kind, would you like another glass?"

"No thank you, I fear I've already had more than enough."

"Very prudent," he laughed, pouring more into his own glass. "But you did enjoy yourself? I trust none of my guests bored you too much?"

"Not at all, they were perfectly delightful."

"I am glad to hear that, they are not that way all the time." He smiled ruefully.

"Lord Cook," Arabella turned to see her sister and Nathaniel approaching them, "thank you for a wonderful evening, I'm afraid we must take our leave."

"Leaving so soon?" His mouth puckered in a mock pout but a grin broke through soon after.

"I'm afraid so," Nathaniel added, "but thank you, it was a most entertaining evening."

"It was my pleasure, I am so glad you could all attend," he led them over to the door.

"I will see you tomorrow?" Arabella asked, offering her hand.

"Of course," he lent down and kissed her hand before turning to bow to Alice and Nathaniel. "Thank you for attending," he straightened up.

"Thank you again," Nathaniel smiled and the three of them made their way outside and towards the waiting carriage.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" Alice asked once they were one their way home.

"Very much so, the house is wonderful and he's a most gracious host," Arabella replied primly.

In truth she was thrilled by how grown up and mature she'd felt. She'd attended many gatherings of that sort before but none had seemed so sophisticated; she'd been a guest of honour, she'd sat at the head of a table, she'd made polite talk with her future sister-in-law. What a feeling this was!

"He certainly did enjoy the wine," Nathaniel was saying, a slight frown creasing his usually smooth brow. "He was in very good spirits."

"He was just happy," Alice said airily. "The house was nice, wasn't it? Very cosy and the decoration tasteful, though I sense you could make it even lovelier."

"I am sure I can," Arabella smiled a sleepy, happy smile as she leaned her head against the carriage window, looking out at the passing scenery that she'd become very familiar with once she was married.

She fell into a light doze on ride home, her thoughts full of her future home and husband.

Whatever doubts she'd had earlier about marriage had ben erased and replaced by pleasant excitement and as she slept there was a small, satisfied smile on her face.

When the carriage stopped at Bingham Park she was shaken into a state close to wakefulness and was vaguely aware of being led up to her bedroom, changing into her nightgown and then falling into bed which seemed to be softer and warmer than usual.