“Stop teasing me.” Lizzy tried to retaliate, stammering, “What of you and Edmund?”
Knowing she’d brought the question down upon herself, Arabella tried to gently explain. “I do not require a husband, and he deserves a greater connection than I could offer.”
Lizzy looked as if the idea Arabella would not want him had never occurred to her. “Do you not like him? You could be my sister.”
“Let's not speak of it further, dear Lizzy.”
Lizzy was far too smart and too sweet. “Is it that you have no dowry? He would not care.”
The bluntness made Arabella scoff, a noise she instantly regretted when more eyes moved her way. Clearing her throat, the baroness stood and asked Lizzy if she would take a turn around the room. When they were in a distant corner, away from the twitching ears of the other guests, the baroness took Lizzy's hand and held it. “I have been a wife, and I did not enjoy the experience. As it stands, I have financial means and the freedom to do as I please. Should I marry, I would lose my dower, my independence, and my lifestyle.” Squeezing Lizzy's fingers, Arabella made her final point, “I would not do so willingly.”
Eager to argue, Lizzy asked, “What about love?”
A small conciliatory smile came with the truth. “I respect him very much as a friend, but I do not love Edmund in that way.”
“He admires you. You must know that.”
Arabella's low tone grew harsh. “This is not a fairytale, Lizzy. You must stop.”
Pleading, Lizzy tried to make amends. “Please don't be cross with me.”
Softening her scowl, Arabella offered an olive branch. “I'm honored that you would find me a worthy sister.”
Lizzy shrugged, seeking the informality they usually shared. “Well, Lilly is not nearly as much fun.”
Both laughed, the uncomfortable moment over just as the eldest sister announced games must begin.
Arabella thought to sit them out, to remain with Mrs. Jenkins and the two older chaperones. She was denied the respite, thrust forward by her hostess as if the idea of a young woman refusing was preposterous.
Arabella had never played parlor games, and found herself drawn into charades fairly quickly. It was simple and fun, but quickly replaced with a game she had no interest in once Edmund had taken it upon himself to explain the rules. Blind Man's Bluff might have been innocent should children play, but was a means of flirtation for those of marriageable age.
While the men moved the furniture nearer the walls, Arabella backed away. Little more than a spectator at first, she stood silent as the ladies taunted the blindfolded officer who was trying to catch the snickering ladies. Nor did Arabella engage in the clapping that would draw the touch of a man nearer.
Lizzy was caught first, giggling when the officer carefully pat the lines of her face. The man guessed correctly, the crowd cheering, and the blindfold was transferred to Lizzy's eyes. On and on the game went, growing wilder, until hands groped and fingers explored in a way that would never have been allowed if not for the game.
Lilly clearly wanted to be caught when her brother was the Blind Man, and Arabella saw the look of dissatisfaction on his face when he felt his sister's signature curls. Once the handkerchief was removed, he looked about and Arabella felt his eyes land on her. The normally prudent man seemed to smirk, as if to vow he would try again and be the first to catch the most timid player of the game.
“Well, that was a promising look if I ever saw one?” Ennis Bosworth taunted behind her.
Unsure what to say, Arabella backed nearer the wall.
Lilly was spun about, giggling as she began her pursuit. The pretty woman caught one gentleman and guessed wrong. Notified of her improper deduction by three claps, Lilly began again. Yet after a few minutes and multiple wrong guesses, it grew obvious she had some plan in mind. All of it ruined when Mr. Bosworth shoved Arabella into the path of the seeker.
Lilly landed a hand on her arm, using the opportunity to pat and poke, knowing full well the only female in the room with long lace sleeves was the baroness. The game was over. Lilly unable to pretend a fourth time, frowned, announcing, “Lady Iliffe.”
Before Arabella could cry off, her eyes were wrapped in silk, and her hand taken until she stood at the center of the space. Finding her feet after Lilly had spun her in circles, Arabella took a few mincing steps, but when someone touched her from behind she yelped and froze.
“No need to be nervous, Lady Iliffe. We will not let you walk into the fire,” Lizzy giggled, her tone easy and reassuring.
Straightening her shoulders
, Arabella began to seek out hushed voices and the sounds of shuffling. It seemed she was to be punished for her timidity and all the room made her work for her conquest, leading her about, and laughing every time someone escaped. More loud giggles, a nearby snort, and she sensed something a few inches away. Two steps and her palms landed against unyielding bulk. Tracing the line of a jacket lapel, she felt something was not right. Her captured player smelled of the heath, was cool to the touch. Higher her fingertips searched, discovering the man was too tall, his sideburns and waving hair damp from misty night air.
It was like touching an apparition, the very spirit that had been haunting her crashing in on her short-lived moment of peace.
“Aren't you going to guess?” one of the ladies giggled. “He looks like you are making him nervous.”
There was that snort again, a sound of disdain from behind her. Abandoning his brooding face for broad shoulders, Arabella followed the line of his sleeves to hands still cold from the weather, and brushed the shape of a ring on his smallest finger. Taking it with her as only a Romani could, Arabella palmed the crescent moon shape of the cheap bauble, intending to hide it before it could be seen and cause trouble.