Arabella was on pins and needles. She was finally going to meet her grandparents. She was elated and scared at the same time. Alexander told her they were very kind and obviously cared about her very much. After all, they had been searching for her for eighteen years, not once giving up hope. She on the other hand didn'teven know they existed until recently. She hadn't had much time to adjust to the fact that she had grandparents, let alone French aristocrat grandparents. Talk about intimidating. Did one bow to their grandparents, or would they embrace her? she mused. She prayed for the latter. She was raised as a lady, so a part of her always knew she came from the upper crust. However, she was still an orphan.
Abbess Helen had always treated her more as a ward than an orphan though. She was also kind and affectionate towards her however, she didn't know what it was like to have a real family. She had longed for a mother to talk too, or a father to kiss her brow. She had watched her friends families as she grew up. Her friend Harriet's family was very loving towards each other. Sometimes she day dreamed about them, as if she was one of them. Harriet had often teased that Arabella should marry Harriet's older brother Samual, just so they could become sisters. Harriet didn't know that Arabella had dreamed of that same scenerio many times. She even thought herself in love with the hansome Samuel. Fate however, had steered him in another direction. He joined the Navy at eighteen, and married his Captains daughter. He was more like an older brother to her now. In hindsight thats all he really ever was, which she was happy about. After all, had she married him she would have never met Alexander.
She sat down upon the window seat and started thinking about the Duke. Could there really be a future for them now, she wondered. He had been courting her to an extent. He hadn't verbalized his feelings, but his actions spoke volumes, especially his kisses. Alexander was an honorable gentleman. Knowing who her family was, he wouldn't take such liberties if he hadn't contemplated a match between them. Well, at least thats what Harriet surmised. She did after all know more about society rules than Arabella did.
A sudden thought brought her around. What if her grandparents refused to allow the match? What if they demanded she return to France with them? They were quite old though, and she didn't have much time left with them. She couldn't lose them now, she just found them. She dropped her head into her hands. What was she going to do? She didnt want to choose between them.
"Arabella, may I come in," came a voice from the otherside of the door?
Arabella got up and opened the door. She flung herself into the Abbesses embrace, tears streaming down her face.
"What's wrong my child," Why are you crying?
"Oh Abbess!" "What am I going to do now? I am so confused. On one hand I want to get to know my grandparents, and see were I was born. On the other hand I dont want to leave England. This is my home. All of you are here, you are my family. I cant leave you all, and now the Duke is here also. I love him, and I believe he loves me as well. I don't want to make a choice between you all."
"Arabella, you must put yourself in Gods hands. He will give you the answers you need. I will always be here whenever you need me, but this is your path to take. Pray Arabella and God will help you find a way. He sent you to me for a reason, he has a plan. You will see, things will work out. This is your fate.
"I know," replied Arabella. "I just wish he would fill me in on his plan."
Arabella met the Duke in the hall. He was so dashing in his tan britches, Navy jacket, starched cravat, and black riding boots. His dark hair had been cropped shorter, and he was clean shaven. She couldn't help staring at him. To have his arms wrapped around her, kissing her would be pure delight, she mused. She should be ashamed of her lustful thoughts, but she wasn't. She wanted this man, as a husband and so much more. The idea of lying in bed with Alexander as he stroked every inch of her body, while brandishing kisses upon her naked body, had her blushing from ear to ear.
Alexander was about to come undone. Arabella looked stunning in the powdered blue riding habit, with its jaunty feathered cap. It accentuated every Feminine curve, and the color set off her beautiful blonde curls and startling blue eyes. Bold blue eyes, that were now taking in every inch of his frame. Blue eyes filled with lust, if he wasn't mistaken. He had been with enough women to know just by looking at the expression on her face. Of course being the innocent that she was, the blush in her cheeks was very telling. She was looking at him as if she wanted to devour him. Damn she was killing him. As if her beauty wasn't enough, the way she was biting her bottom lip had him growing hard by the minute. If they didnt get going soon he was liable to ravish her right then and there.
Thank God Marcus was accompanying them to Asterley Park. Being alone in a closed carriage with her would undo him. He had to look away from her to get his bearings.
Get it together Pemberton, you are not some randy school boy, he admonished himself, as he heard someone clear their throat.
"Is everything ready for the ride to Asterley your Grace?" Questioned the Abbess "The Abbess, dear lord! He hoped she hadn't witnessed their intimate exchange."
"It is, Sister. Are you ready to go Arabella, he asked?"
Arabella broke away from her scandalous musings. "I am your Grace, I have already said my goodbyes," she answered.
"Then we best be on our way." Although its not too terribly far, I know there are those eagerly awaiting your arrival, he said with a smile.
They both then said their goodbyes to the Abbess once more, with a promise to send word as soon as things were settled. Alexander handed Arabella into the coach, and they were off.