Evelyn Richardson by The Scandalous Widow Page A

intend to offer stabling for our students, as I know I could not do without my regular exercise, and walking is just not the same thing as riding. Ah, here is Olivia. Olivia, may I introduce you to Lady Arabella, who has just arrived. I hope you can show her around, introduce her to the others, and make her feel welcome. I have already assured her that you are our authority on the best shops to be found in Bath.” Catherine turned to welcome a tall young woman with masses of golden hair and a decided air of fashion which clearly made an impression on the newcomer. There was no mistaking the envious admiration in Arabella’s eyes as she took in the higher waist, tighter shape, and long sleeves that proclaimed the gown Olivia was wearing to have been very recently created by an extremely skilled modiste.
    “I shall be happy to show her around.” Olivia smiled in the friendliest of fashions as she led Arabella towards the door. “It will be delightful to have another member of the academy who is the age of the older girls. Is this your first time in Bath, Arabella?”
    As Catherine turned back again to Arabella’s uncle, the sounds of girlish laughter wafted up the stairs. “I think I can safely say that at the very least your niece will enjoy the companionship here. In addition to Olivia, we have two other students who are very close to her age as well as a few who are only slightly younger, and they all appear to be on the best of terms.”
    “Credit for which I am sure is due to you and your instructresses. Nevertheless, I intend to remain in town several days to ensure that Arabella is feeling quite at home before I return to London.”
    Catherine’s eyebrows rose in faint surprise. There was no need for his concern. Though Arabella’s attitude had at first been rather unforthcoming, it had been quickly discarded in favor of one that was far more animated the minute she had become involved in conversation. Catherine did not have the slightest worry about the new pupil’s fitting right in with the rest of the girls. In fact, she was willing to wager a good deal that the girl would prove to be the most redoubtable of a group that had already been characterized by any number of people as “extremely lively.”
    “It is just that she has never been away from home and it has not been a year since she lost her father.” Even to Lucian’s ears this sounded like the merest excuse.
    “I see. Well, we shall do our very best to make her feel at home, then—not that we do not try to do so for everyone.” Catherine remained unconvinced of the need for this extra solicitude on the marquess’s part. There had been something—undue emphasis in his voice, just the hint of self-consciousness in his expression, a certain look in his eye—that led her to believe that Lucian had reasons of his own, entirely unconnected to Arabella, for remaining in Bath. Did he not trust her to care for his niece? If he did not, then why had he chosen Lady Catherine Granville’s Select Academy for Genteel Young Ladies as the place to educate Lady Arabella out of the hundreds of others, some of which claimed to offer all the advantages and more than her establishment did?
    “Ah, then perhaps I had better tell you the time that is best to visit us is after morning lessons. We encourage exercise and fresh air after a morning spent in the schoolroom, so at noon you can expect your niece to be free to see you. And now if you will excuse me, I have some things I must attend to.”
    In the face of such a clear dismissal, there was nothing he could do but bow and leave. However, he paused when he reached the doorway. “I trust that if the academy encourages fresh air and exercise for its students after a busy morning, then the same goes for its headmistress, who must be even more in need of such diversion. And if she instructs by example, then surely she can be enticed into a short drive in the country with me.”
    “What? I mean, there is