DisobediencebyDesign by Regina Kammer Page A

until realization washed over his features. He said nothing
as he stood and walked toward the door, merely nodding politely at her,
although she could swear there was a measure of amused approbation in his
countenance. He closed the door quietly behind him.
    “Henny, is something wrong?” Arthur came toward her, his gaze
searching her face. “You look a bit worried.”
    “I do?” She touched her fingers to her cheek.
    He held out his hands and she took them. “Come to the fire.
Tell me.”
    He knew… Arthur always knew when her mind weighed
heavily with cares and concerns. But this one was difficult to put into words.
    “I’m leaving tomorrow.”
    “Yes. I knew it would be soon, darling,” he responded
softly.
    “My parents are expected home from the Continent this week.
Mama and I need to start planning the wedding but once we have a few things
settled we’ll both return here, you know, so Sophie and your mother can help
too. Maybe in a few weeks or so.”
    He tenderly brushed a fallen curl from her face. She took
his hand and pressed it to her cheek.
    “I’m so lucky!” She could not stop the tears from falling.
    “Darling Henny, what’s the matter? Please tell me.”
    “It’s Sophie. I feel for Sophie.” Young, beautiful, virginal
Sophie. “Royston is remaining here, presumably to woo her.” She looked up at
him. “Arthur, it is a terrible match.”
    “I know.” He wrapped his arms around her. “There’s just
nothing I can do.”
    His voice held frustration and a measure of disquietude. He
might be willing to try to stop the match.
    “Poor Geoffrey.” She sighed. “They would make a good pair.”
She hesitated, knowing her next thought was daring to the point of impropriety.
“And then there’s Mr. Phillips.”
    Arthur pulled back with a furrowed brow. “What about Joseph?”
    “Your sister obviously has a case on him.” Maybe you
could encourage it?
    “She’s eighteen. Girls her age get a ‘case’ on young men all
the time. Besides, such a match would be preposterous, Henny.”
    “Sadly, yes. I just wish Sophie could have one romance
before she’s fettered to Royston for life.” And if she did , he might
set his sights elsewhere .
    “She’ll have to content herself with Geoffrey.”
    Henny sighed. Geoffrey was too much of a gentleman to do
anything but kiss Sophia senseless. Certainly he would never deflower her
without marrying her. “I suppose so.”
    Arthur eyed her intensely. “There’s something else, isn’t
there?”
    Her lungs constricted in dread. “It’s just that,” she said,
trying to steady her voice, “I don’t want to have to go back to that
predicament ever again.”
    “What predicament? Henny, what are you talking about?”
    “Royston,” she blurted, tears streaming down her face. “I
don’t ever want to be considered a match for Royston.”
    “What?” he exclaimed incredulously. “Darling, that’s never
going to happen. You’re engaged to me. We have a settlement, remember?”
    “But what if you died?”
    His incredulity sharpened. “What if I died ?” He
searched her face. “Henny, what is this about?”
    She closed her eyes as she gathered her courage. “In the
drawing room tonight, before Royston walked away he touched my arm.” She
hesitated.
    Arthur gave her a gentle squeeze. “Go on.”
    She looked up at him, finding her strength in his eyes. “You
didn’t see it, I know you didn’t, but I felt it. He touched me.” She could not
hold back the tears. “His thumb scraped along the side of my breast.”
    Arthur paled. “My God. No,” he said hoarsely. “I’ll call him
out.”
    “Oh no you won’t!” She sobbed. “I won’t stand for such
foolishness!”
    His brow twisted. “Henny, I can’t let this go. He has no
right.” He folded her in his arms and rocked her gently, imbuing her with warm
safety.
    “No,” she sniffled. “I know you can’t. But there is another
way to defeat the villain.” She looked into