Arabella giggled and released him. “Where will you be in an hour?”
“I thought I might survey the house to see where a conservatory might be built. The space you have is much too small.”
“I’ve done so already,” she said urgently. “Years ago now.”
“You have? But that’s wonderful.”
“Farnsworth thought the plans excessive, but Mr. Piper can show you where the designs were stored.”
“I’ll go find him now.” He kissed her again then hunted for fresh clothing. She was still watching him when he threaded a pin into his cravat. “I’ll see you later. We could discuss the design as we travel instead of watching Holland smirk at his books.”
She grinned and slipped his banyan around herself. “I’d like that.”
As he headed for the door, hooves sounded on the drive outside. Puzzled, he quickly checked the window to see who had come. Unfortunately, the carriage was already vacated and being turned around. Whoever it might be was already within Winslette House. He hurried for the door and wrenched it open.
Holland stood there, hand raised to knock. Merrick quickly blocked his view into the room where Arabella remained partially clothed. His brother’s face was uncomfortably flushed, his eyes cast downward. “So sorry to disturb, my lord, but you have a visitor waiting in the drawing room.”
“Grayling wasn’t expected, was he?” Must be one of his new neighbors come to call on him. It was rude to send them away, but he wasn’t truly the lord of the manor here. They must wait upon Arabella. He glanced at her. She couldn’t meet anyone dressed like that, wearing only his banyan and nothing beneath. She’d need at least an hour before facing visitors. “Let whoever it is know that Lady Farnsworth is otherwise engaged at this time.”
Holland sighed. “Under normal circumstances I would have already done so, but this visitor is not a lady I have the power to send away. She asked for you specifically.”
A sense of doom crashed over his previous good mood. There was only one lady Holland had ever failed to banish before. If Aunt Penelope was here, then there was no way to prevent scandal from blackening Arabella’s name. He was too late to appeal to Rutherford. He took a deep breath. “My aunt?”
Holland inclined his head to confirm it. “She requested to see you first and then to have Lady Farnsworth join her at her earliest convenience. I’ve arranged a tea tray to be sent into the drawing room while she waited.”
Aunt Penelope would interfere. He could feel his lips peeling back from his teeth at the snarl of anger building in him.
“Oh dear.” Arabella fretted and then hurried around the room, frantically picking up her discarded nightgown. “I am not prepared for her at all.”
Merrick quickly shut the door in Holland’s face and pressed his head to the wood. He couldn’t let Aunt Penelope influence Arabella now. He hadn’t had enough time to convince her that their affair, and his love, was worth the risk of reconsidering her opinion on marriage but now he had no choice but to make his intentions very clear.
He crossed to Arabella’s side and knelt at her feet. He had little time to plead his case before all hope was lost. “Marry me.”
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
The nightgown tumbled from her fingers in the sudden silence. “I beg your pardon?”
Rothwell caught her hand and pressed it to his lips. “I asked you to marry me.”
Arabella’s mind ran in all directions at once, but none of them led to a suitable reply. She was pleased to know her suspicions were true. He was on the hunt for a bride, but he surely hadn’t been courting her. One brief affair, a few nights in a rogue’s bed, for a widow did not immediately result in an offer of marriage. And with his aunt waiting downstairs, one of the most frightening members of the ton, now was hardly the time to consider such an offer properly.
She tugged her hand free of his grip, but Merrick’s intense expression stirred a long dormant need deep inside. Arabella might have been married before, but this was her first proposal. She wasn’t even dressed for such an important occasion.
She searched Merrick’s face and he met her gaze steadily. He was serious about the proposal, but it was all too sudden for Arabella. Everything about him had taken her by surprise. Despite her conversation yesterday with Grayling, she was no closer to knowing how she felt about Merrick. She liked him. She liked the way he made her feel safe and attractive. But what she wasn’t sure about was what loving him might feel like. “I cannot think now. Your aunt is here and I need time.”
His throat worked as he swallowed. “Very well.”
He stood slowly, straightening his waistcoat and sleeves with a heavy sigh that made her feel terrible for not having an answer ready. She set her hand on his sleeve. “I’m sorry, Merrick.”
An odd smile flittered across his face before disappearing into a calm mask. “I must leave to deal with my aunt.”
“I cannot understand why she has come. She received no invitation from me.”
“My aunt rarely waits on an invitation when it comes to family. This estate is mine now, so she’s simply invited herself. How typical of her.”
“You’re angry with her.”
“I am.” His lips pursed and then he frowned. “She knows full well I’d never invite her. However, I have an idea that may turn this disaster around. We may not need to travel to Newberry Park at all if Aunt Penelope can be convinced to assist you.”
Arabella nodded slowly. “If I had Lady Penelope’s support, the ton would never reproach me should Farnsworth’s stories have twisted and spread too far.” Her stomach fluttered. If all went well and Lady Penelope accepted her story as the truth, Merrick would be free to leave believing no further obligation existed between them. He needn’t have bothered with a rash marriage proposal after all. He could return to London.
“I was more worried what she would say about us, but…” He shrugged and faced the door. “We’ll deal with the Farnsworth problem first and the other can wait until she asks why we are together still.”
He frowned and the look on his face hinted he was trying to hide his feelings. He turned his face away when she smiled at him. They were together because she wanted to be with him. She liked him very much. She covered his hand with hers, but he wouldn’t look at her directly. Had she disappointed him so badly by not jumping on the chance to be his wife?
She’d just gotten used to knowing what was going through his mind. He didn’t like anyone knowing his business, and she could help with that by keeping his secrets gladly. “I will join you soon and happily explain what she needs to know and not a word more.”
He squeezed her fingers. “When she is gone, I’ll be at your disposal should you wish to speak again. I’d like a chance to convince you of my sincerity.”
He kissed each of her palms and the feel of his lips against her skin caused her to smile. If she married him, she’d never feel undesirable. He had a way of turning each and every caress into a moment of worship. That side of a marriage between them would not be a chore. But was she ready to have another’s needs placed before her own?
She swallowed. She honestly didn’t know. She wouldn’t lie to him. She certainly wouldn’t marry just because of lust. “Of course.”
Merrick smiled quickly, kissed her cheek, and then hurried to the door to receive his visitor. He didn’t meet her gaze again as he slipped out, his steps echoing through the house. Arabella folded to the nearest chair and put her head in her hands. “My life is mad.”