Unmasking the Duke's Mistress (Gentlemen of Disrepute #1)(69)

‘I do love him.’ It was the first time she had admitted it aloud.

‘Then why?’ All vestige of colour had drained from Mrs Tatton’s face. ‘Why would you ruin it for yourself and for Archie?’

Arabella sat very still upon the chair; her hands lay slack. The floodgates had been opened, and there was no way to close them again. So she told her mother about Mr Smith and his threats. She told her everything, even of Miss Noir and Mrs Silver’s.

‘Oh, Arabella,’ he mother whispered as she came to stand by her side. ‘Why did you not tell me?’

‘I could not risk that you would go to Dominic. Smith will send his ruffians after him if you reveal any of this. Dominic’s life hangs in the balance. And so too does Archie’s, for Smith will publish the story and there will be no going back from that. I have hurt them both, terribly, but it was only to protect them from Smith. Dominic must never know. You do understand that, do you not?’

Her mother nodded.

‘And as for Mrs Silver’s, well…’ Arabella fidgeted with her fingers and could not look up to meet her mother’s gaze. ‘I knew what the knowledge would do to you, and I could not bear to burden you with such shame.’

‘I already knew, Arabella.’

Arabella glanced up at her mother. ‘But how could you know?’

‘Dominic told me where he had found you, that day he came to Curzon Street and you had taken Archie to the park.’ There were tears rolling down Mrs Tatton’s cheeks. ‘You should have told me, Arabella. I would never be ashamed of you when all you have done has been to save those you love. You are the best of mothers to Archie. And you are the best of daughters to me.’

Arabella got to her feet and put her arms around her mother’s shoulders, holding her and laying her cheek upon the top of her mother’s head.

‘Thank you, Mama, and bless you. Bless you for all that you have suffered because of me.’

Her mother looked drained and worried and Arabella felt more guilty than ever.

Mrs Tatton’s health was too fragile. Arabella knew she should not have weakened and burdened her mother with the truth. It seemed to Arabella that however hard she tried, no matter what she did, she hurt the people she loved the most.

Dominic’s voice echoed in her head. I love you, Arabella.

And she winced. The weight of the pain and the guilt was growing heavier with each passing day. And she wondered when Dominic would come, and she wondered how she was going to bear that meeting when eventually it happened. She felt as if she were suffocating from the weight of worry.

‘Mama, I do not think that I will sleep feeling the way I do. Would you like to go for a walk along the woodland path, to help clear our heads a little?’

‘I am tired, and would prefer to sit by the fire. But you go, Arabella.’ Her mother took Arabella’s hand in her own. ‘Do not wander too far and be back before it is dark.’

‘Yes, Mama.’ Arabella dropped a kiss on her mother’s head.

From outside she could hear the blackbirds calling and the soft rustle of leaves in the evening breeze.

Wrapping her shawl around her shoulders, Arabella slipped from the cottage out into the fresh air. She walked to straighten the thoughts in her head and to revive her resolve.




‘What do you mean you are going out alone?’ Hunter grumbled. ‘We have not stopped all day. And we are supposed to be attending to other matters tonight, such as drinking and making merry and celebrating the joys of the bachelor life in all the most carnal of ways.’

Dominic threw his friend a speaking look.

‘You are a changed man since you became reacquainted with Arabella, Dominic. A changed man, indeed.’ Hunter shook his head in a sorrowful way.

‘So you keep telling me. We will see how changed you are when you meet the woman you wish to marry.’

Hunter gave a disgusted snort. ‘I assure you I have no plans in that direction for a good many years. And if I must eventually succumb to such a fate there will be no changing involved.’

‘We shall see,’ said Dominic.

‘Indeed, you shall,’ sniffed Hunter and helped himself to another brandy. ‘All is ready for tomorrow?’

‘Almost,’ said Dominic and he thought again of Arabella.

‘I shall be glad of the return to London. I do not know how you can stand it out here in the sticks. I bet they do not even know how to play faro or macao.’

Dominic laughed. ‘I am sure they do not. Indeed, I doubt there is such an inveterate gambler as yourself within the whole village. You will have to wait for your return to London for that.’

Hunter sighed and sipped his brandy. ‘Dear, dear London town, how I miss her sweet allures.’

Dominic laughed again and, gathering up his hat, gloves and riding crop, departed the Hall.

Chapter Nineteen



The evening sunlight filtered through the canopy of leaves and branches to spill in small pools and spots upon the woodland floor. There were still some patches of pale yellow primroses, although the heads of the bluebells had gone over. In their place were the tiny blue flowers of forget-me-not, bright splashes of colour amidst the earthy browns and greens of the soil and grass. A dove was cooing softly, sounding above the song of the smaller birds. Arabella walked on, small dry twigs crunching beneath her boots.