Free An Accidental Affair by Heather Boyd Page A

“Then I shall take lust and passion and forsake a cold alliance with a man older than my father. Wouldn’t you?”
    Arabella wanted to nod her agreement, but she’d hidden the true state of her life and her heart from everyone for so long that she feared their pitying glances. One kiss with Rothwell was all the excitement life had sent her way. She’d never experienced further passion or more than a passing flutter of attraction with another man. The sensations Cecily extolled as essential to life were just a dream to Arabella.
    She sank onto the side of the bed, letting her niece’s touch slip away. Who was she to deny Cecily a chance at happiness? If a border wedding was the only way to achieve the marriage Cecily wished for and there was love on both sides at the beginning, then surely she should offer what little support she could and hope for the best. It was more than she’d ever had. Lieutenant Ford might be young, but he was from a very good family. Perhaps their influence could control the girl where Arabella had only failed. “If you are sure this is what you want.”
    “Oh, I am. I cannot wait to see him again.”
    Since Arabella had nowhere else to go save Surrey, then the least she could do was help Cecily make it to the coach and her purported true love. She wrestled the portmanteau from her niece and opened it. “The sky is filled with clouds tonight. Do you have another shawl and a thicker pair of stockings in case the weather worsens?”
    Cecily crushed Arabella in a violent embrace. “You are the truest companion a girl could want. Thank you. I will do as you suggest and add to what I have already packed.”
    Arabella, moved to tears by the sudden display of affection, was unsure how far to push the girl and settled for merely patting her back. “My last act as chaperone will be to come with you to meet the coach. I cannot allow you to walk the streets alone, and your luggage is somewhat awkward. What if he is delayed? I couldn’t bear for you to stand alone on the street like a common strumpet.”
    Cecily wiped at her eyes. “It is kind of you to say delayed and not that Laurie may not come at all. I am sure you are thinking that.”
    Arabella squeezed her hand. “As if he would dare desert you. I’ll be right back.”
    She returned to her room and collected her dark blue carriage cloak and fine kid gloves. As she donned them, she admired her niece’s bravery. Cecily had never balked at any obstacle life had thrown after the fall that had taken her mother’s life several years ago. She flew through society at her own pace, unmindful of the opinions of others or their dark looks at her daring. In Arabella’s experience, such strength of character was rare in women. She could never be so headstrong, but she wished her niece well.
    A tap on her door drew her attention and Cecily’s pretty face peeked through the gap. She stood, portmanteau in hand, dancing on the balls of her feet in the hallway—a woman ready for the greatest adventure of her young life. Arabella checked the time. It was now or never—time to meet Lieutenant Ford and see if his heart was true.
    She hurried to her niece and led her down the servants’ staircase, past the servants who peered at them curiously, and out into the dark rear square. The night was overcast with clouds that promised rain but hadn’t delivered, making the hour feel much later than it was. Cecily’s grip tightened on hers, but her steps did not hesitate as they hurried through to the mews and out onto London’s busy streets.
    Mayfair teemed with fine carriages on their way to one engagement or another. Although the light was poor due to the clouds, Arabella felt exposed. “Pull your cloak closer about your face, my dear, and keep your head down. We don’t want him to hear of this yet.” By him, Arabella meant Cecily’s father. Farnsworth would chase his daughter down and drag her back by her hair to ensure she kept the bargain he’d made