An Acceptable Marriage (BOOK 5)

Chapter 9

"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience."

― Eleanor Roosevelt

Arabella felt slightly hollow as she and Bertram made their way back to the parlour and the tepid tea that awaited them.

She was to be married in two months.

"Arabella," Bertram turned to her suddenly, looking nervous. "I hope I did not overstep, I know it is all very soon and happening very quickly."

"Yes, but I, I am pleased," she told him. "I think it is the right thing to do, don't you?"

"Yes, yes I do," he smiled at her, a boyish smile that lit up his whole face. "I know the Bristol situation may not be ideal but I swear to you that it will go well and that I will do all I can to make you happy."

"Thank you Bertram, I trust that you will." She smiled at him and felt the familiar flutter of excitement play in her chest.

Bertram left soon after, bidding an affectionate farewell to Arabella and a polite farewell to Alice

"I'm to be married in two months," Arabella smiled wistfully at her sister who ate the last slice of tart in silence, eyeing her younger sister. "Come now Alice, are you not pleased for me?" Arabella asked, her good mood dampened slightly by her sister's lack of enthusiasm.

"If you are happy, than yes, of course I am pleased," Alice replied passively.

"Oh don't start with this again. If you do not think this marriage wise than speak up with your reasons!"

"No, I am being silly, forgive me. Of course I am pleased for you," Alice smiled, taking Arabella's hands in her own. "I am sure you and he shall be very happy and of course, I am very happy for you."

"Are you sure? Because if you are not than I would like to hear why. I know I was acting childishly yesterday but I do value and respect your opinion," Arabella said earnestly.

"No, there is nothing," Alice smiled. "Now, would you like to come upstairs with me to visit Emma?"

Alice, Nathaniel and Emma left the next day with many teary farewells on the platform.

Arabella hugged her sister tightly, promising to write to her as often as she could and to keep her informed of any interesting going-ons.

And then the last of Arabella's sisters boarded the train with her family and left.

Arabella longed to run after the train and wave frantically as she might have done when she was a child.

Instead she just stood and waved politely, standing next to Richard and Isabella.

"I shall miss them," Arabella said sadly as they returned to their coach.

"I know, me as well, but they'll be back soon enough for the wedding. Have you written Lilly yet? Letting her know about the wedding?"

"Yes, I wrote last night. It just seems silly that everyone's left when they shall be returning in two months. Especially Oliver, that's an awfully long voyage for him."

"Yes, I know but they couldn't exactly stay here all the time." Richard said and Arabella sighed.

Bingham Park was her home. It would always be her home. Even when she was the wife of a baron and the lady of a fine estate, Bingham would be her home. She had lived there for her whole live and she loved it with all her heart. She was as proud of it as if she'd built it herself. All the Thorpe siblings felt the same way, or once had anyway. Perhaps when Arabella's sisters had wed and found homes to call their own, the once fierce love had faded and been replaced by affection for their new residences.