In the Shadow of Arabella Read Online Free PDF Page B

three days.”
    His next words were softer. “I have missed you. It has been more than a month; do you realize that?”
    As Katherine and Parnaby stood close together, still holding hands, Charity said, “I think I will play a bit, if you do not mind. I am growing sadly out of practice.” She walked to the pianoforte in the far corner of the room and began to play softly.
    Katherine smiled at her friend’s discretion as she invited the viscount to be seated near her on the sofa. “Charity is too conscious of the proprieties to leave us alone together, so she has discovered a way to stay in the room and still allow us some privacy.”
    “She cannot even see us from where she is sitting, for the music board blocks her view,” he replied as he leaned forward and kissed Katherine gently on the cheek.
    She blushed and turned her hands within his, her hopes soaring at his warm greeting. “I came to town for a specific purpose, James, and since we could be interrupted at any moment by Lady Brent, I must speak quickly. My stepfather has become unbearable, and I have decided I can no longer live with him.”
    His brow clouded as he regarded her. “I do not understand. If not with him, where else would you live?”
    Her courage failed under his direct gaze and her eyes fell. “I was hoping you might have an idea where I might go.”
    “Me?” he asked, sounding quite shocked. “Why would I—”
    “James,” she interrupted, “my situation is grave. We have meant—we mean . . . a great deal to each other.” Her voice dropped to an intimate whisper. “We have admitted we love one another. I thought—I mean, could we not . . .”
    She finally stopped in confusion, almost angry that he was making this so difficult. When he said nothing, she raised her eyes to see a look of shocked dismay distorting his handsome features.
    “Katy, I have told you how my father left things. My lands are mortgaged to the point where I am struggling to hold them. I have nothing to offer you.”
    “There is my income,” she argued. “I know it is not much, but we could be together.”
    He let go her hands and stood suddenly. “We cannot live on love, Katherine. I know it sounds romantic, but, believe me, it would not be.”
    “But we would not be paupers. We would have enough—”
    “And what about my property, my home?” he asked. “There have been Haygarths in Norfolk for three hundred years. Am I to simply let it go without a fight?”
    Into the silence that followed this passionate outburst Katherine said slowly, “Let me be certain that I understand you. Are you saying I should not expect a proposal from you?”
    “Not now,” he affirmed. “Perhaps in time, when I have somehow managed to put my affairs in order—”
    “Time is something I can no longer offer you, James. I am four and twenty. I have decided I will not go back to Sir Humphrey when the Season ends. If it is in any way possible, I plan to marry this year. I love you, James, but I cannot wait forever for you to put your house in order.”
    Before Parnaby could respond, the door burst open and Lady Brent entered with Marie in her wake. “My butler said you were here, Lord Parnaby. What a pleasant surprise!”
    * * * *
    Lady Helen Manville, youngest sister of the previous Earl of Rudley, resided with her nephews in Cavendish Square and managed Rudley’s household in an efficient and unobtrusive manner. Lady Helen had been wed in her youth to a dashing naval officer who, during the seventh year of their marriage, was lost at sea. Declaring herself to be one who would love only once in her life, she had settled down quietly with her former governess in a cottage near Greenwich. When the present Lord Rudley’s wife died in the spring of 1814 and Lady Helen offered to help her nephew with his young daughter, Rudley said she could best serve him by taking over the reins of his residence in London. This, Lady Helen had done with an aptitude that made