An Accidental Affair by Heather Boyd Page A

backed away with a regretful smile, leaving Arabella to the task of comforting the girl on her own. She hurried to Cecily’s side, clasped her trembling hands, and led her back upstairs to her bedchamber before she did something rash like confront her father. She had a feeling that disobedience would not be tolerated. When the door closed behind them, Cecily gave in to her emotions with a loud sob. “I won’t let him do this to us.”
    “Come now, Cecily. Surely you knew your father would have the final say in whom you married? In time, it is my hope that Lieutenant Ford will put this behind him and be happy. So will you, I’m sure.” Feeling uncharacteristically close to the girl, she pressed a kiss to Cecily’s hair. “We should prepare for Lord Parker’s visit.”
    Cecily broke away. The girl could never bear to be coddled when she was upset. “I thought Father had some foolishness on his mind these past days, but it’s more important to decide how you are going to survive his plans for your life. You hate Surrey.”
    Arabella gaped at the girl’s words. She’d always assumed Cecily cared for naught but her own happiness and had never paid attention to what she had to say. Yet Cecily had bigger problems than Arabella’s exile to Surrey to worry about. “Mine? Cecily, dear. Do you understand the sort of life you will likely have as Lady Parker?”
    Cecily eyed her critically even through her tears. “We need to find you a new situation and much quicker than I originally planned.”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    Cecily sighed somewhat dramatically. “A husband you like this time.”
    “A husband? What plan? Now wait a moment.” Arabella held up one hand. “There is no plan that concerns me more than your future happiness. I have spent the last two months in search of a good man for you. In all my thinking, it was never to someone twenty years older than yourself. Besides, I doubt we’d be able to find a husband for me. Marriage is not in my future.”
    Now that she’d had time to consider Farnsworth’s attitude to his daughter, her ire rose. Women were not to be traded to the highest bidder. Power. Wealth. The Farnsworth men treated women no better than cattle.
    Cecily said, “Oh, please. A woman as beautiful as you has many men watching her. Forget Lord Parker. Laurence’s older brother, Lord Maitland, is nice—although he is a full year your junior.” Cecily grinned, warming to the discussion. “Even the debauched Lord Rothwell has paid more than a passing interest in you, and the whole world knows he avoids proper women.”
    The mention of Rothwell and the memory of his interest and devastating kiss caused her body to quiver. He would not have plans to marry her. Seduce her, yes, but nothing so permanent as a future together beyond a handful of nights. He’d suit her plans perfectly if she still required a lover. She had considered him briefly for an affair, but her courage had utterly failed until last night, and now she had other concerns to struggle through. “I’ve no wish for a husband. Marriage did not agree with me the last time I tried it.”
    “Given my uncle’s greater age and sour disposition, I’m not in the least surprised. You need someone fresher.” Cecily spun about in a tight circle, her grin widening. “Forget my father. We can have any man we want for our husband. It will take cunning and bravery for sure, but you just need to choose one and offer them the right encouragement before my father carries out his plan to banish you to Surrey.”
    Arabella caught her niece’s hands to still her. She assessed the gown Cecily wore and considered what might do for tomorrow. There was no time to dawdle. “What we need to do is talk about your future more than mine. Parker is expected to call tomorrow. You will need to be in your best looks.”
    Cecily’s expression grew sly. “Does my father join us for dinner this evening?”
    “No.” Arabella studied her niece, alarmed when