Evelyn Richardson by The Scandalous Widow

suffering a great deal from her nerves since Papa’s death.”
    “I will make sure that whenever I come to Charlmont I shall stop along the way to pick you up and bring you with me.” Lucian did not think for a moment that the Marchioness of Charlmont’s nerves, her chief claim to anyone’s attention, were any more present after her husband’s death than they had been before, but regular visits to Bath would give him the opportunity to pursue interests of his own, and that was reason enough for him.
     
    Chapter Nine
     
    Arabella had submitted to her uncle’s plans for her future, she appeared biddable enough, and if she remained closeted in her chamber for long periods with her maid, it was presumed that she was supervising the packing for the trip.
    On Saturday she bade her mother and the assembled servants at Charlmont a fond but cheerful farewell and composed herself for the journey with such equanimity that Lucian’s suspicions were immediately aroused.
    He kept a weather eye out for lone riders along their route, but none appeared, and he was forced to conclude that either her relationship with young Foxworthy had cooled considerably or she was far more skilled at clandestine relationships than he had given her credit for.
    They pulled up in front of number 16, the Royal Crescent, late that evening just as the sky was deepening from pink to azure and the stars were beginning to come out. The academy was ablaze with light and the butler opening the door smiled benevolently at them. As he ushered them upstairs to Lady Catherine’s office, the sounds of laughter drifted enticingly down the stairs.
    Closely observing his niece, Lucian was pleased to see the carefully bored expression Arabella had maintained throughout the trip brighten into one of curiosity and interest until she felt her uncle’s eyes upon her and the mask of boredom came down again.
    Lucian was not the only one to see beneath this carefully assumed appearance. As Catherine greeted her prospective student she studied her carefully. It was a merry face with a generous mouth, a hint of dimple at one corner of it, and large brown eyes that were clearly more accustomed to examining the world with frank curiosity than remaining fixed demurely on the carpet as they were now. Obviously this was a young woman of spirit who was doing her utmost to hide that fact under the best imitation of a meek exterior she could manufacture.
    “I am delighted that you could join us here at the academy, Lady Arabella.” Catherine rose and extended her hand. “I do hope you will enjoy the girls as much as I do. They are a lively bunch so I am sure you will soon feel quite at home.” She smiled at the sparkle of interest that flashed in her prospective pupil’s eyes despite her best efforts to remain expressionless.
    “In particular, I expect you will enjoy Olivia, the Countess of Morehampton’s daughter. She was one of our first pupils and is about your age. As she lives very near here, I count on her to be your guide to the shops in Milsom Street and the many delightful walks in the area. She is also an excellent student, though I imagine that is of less interest to you. Shall I ask for her to show you around? You are far more likely to learn what you wish to know about us from someone your own age than from one of the teachers or the headmistress of this establishment.”
    “Oh, yes, please. I would like that.” Arabella smiled shyly. There was no resisting Lady Catherine’s frank, easy manner and her genuine concern for her new pupil’s future happiness. In fact, Arabella quite forgot her resolve to maintain her air of meek indifference and was soon responding readily to Lady Catherine’s questions about her journey, the number of trunks she had brought with her, and her concern for her horse whom she had been forced to leave behind.
    “At the moment we have no accommodations for horses as we are but a small establishment. As we grow, however, I fully