for her not particularly witty comments on the duke, for Gareth had been nearby and she had felt irrationally driven to say something that would antagonize him and get rid of him forever. Immediately after, she was worrying that it had indeed given him a disgust of her. But how could she want to both drive him away and draw him near? she wondered, furious at her own ambivalence.
* * * *
The earl, who was spending long days at the War Office and arrived late to every social gathering, watched his daughter and Gareth whenever he had the chance. He could see her strong reaction to Captain Richmond’s initiatives, and was happy that at least she was not indifferent. It would not be an easy match, especially in the beginning, but he was more and more determined that it would be a match. Gareth was the only man he could see who remained unmoved by Arden’s arrogance. She did not need a man like Heronwood, who had overdeveloped sensibilities, although he would be fine for Celia. Arden needed the cool strength of Richmond, and thank God, he was available and home for good.
* * * *
The earl was faced with Heronwood’s sensibilities at the end of the week. Unable to wait any longer, the young man had decided to approach the head of Celia’s family and gain permission to address her. When Huntly heard him announced, he straightaway summoned Ellen into the drawing room. “For I am sure that this visit concerns you as well, my dear,” said the earl when she arrived and asked what was needed of her. “All I need to know is whether you would approve Celia’s betrothal to young Heronwood, who is no doubt waiting in agony in the morning room.”
“He seems truly fond of Celia, James. The only thing I worry about is Arden. I had so hoped for a match for both of them this Season. I know Celia will be happy, but what of her cousin?”
“There is no need for you to worry anymore about Arden. I have made arrangements for her so that you can concentrate only on Celia.”
“Arrangements? Surely she will not return to Stalbridge without me?”
“No, you have given enough of your energy to the girl, Ellen. It is Celia’s time to receive your undivided attention. I assume that you do give your permission?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Then you will be kept busy putting a trousseau together and visiting relatives. Celia will have a generous dowry to bring to this marriage.”
“James, you are too kind,” protested Mrs. Denbeigh.
“Don’t be absurd, Ellen. You have acted as a mother to my daughter. It is the least I can do. No, Arden will not be returning to Stalbridge,” he continued. “She will be with my sister Millicent or in Yorkshire.”
‘James,” Mrs. Denbeigh protested, “you couldn’t mean to send her to your sister. She would be miserable.”
“It is not my first choice, I admit, but I may need your help in bringing her round.”
“To what? And what is in Yorkshire?”
“I am hoping that when I leave she will be on her way to Yorkshire as Mrs. Gareth Richmond.”
“What!” exclaimed his sister-in-law, truly shocked. “Why she hardly knows Captain Richmond. And doesn’t like him, I am sure.”
“Oh, I think there is a spark of interest there, Ellen. But like all fires, it needs enough air. I think Yorkshire is just the place to let it flame.”
“Does Captain Richmond care for Arden?”
“I don’t think either has a tendre for the other right now, Ellen. I think they strike sparks off one another, however, and he is the first man I have seen who will not give in to her, nor be hurt by her. No, if he can convince her, she will be married by a special license before I leave. Will you add your arguments to mine when the time comes?”
“Yes, I suppose so,” replied Mrs. Denbeigh thoughtfully. “I would rather see Arden with someone like Captain Richmond than with Millicent,” she concluded vehemently. “Oh, I beg your pardon, James,” she said, embarrassed by her implied insult.
“No need to
* * * *
The earl, who was spending long days at the War Office and arrived late to every social gathering, watched his daughter and Gareth whenever he had the chance. He could see her strong reaction to Captain Richmond’s initiatives, and was happy that at least she was not indifferent. It would not be an easy match, especially in the beginning, but he was more and more determined that it would be a match. Gareth was the only man he could see who remained unmoved by Arden’s arrogance. She did not need a man like Heronwood, who had overdeveloped sensibilities, although he would be fine for Celia. Arden needed the cool strength of Richmond, and thank God, he was available and home for good.
* * * *
The earl was faced with Heronwood’s sensibilities at the end of the week. Unable to wait any longer, the young man had decided to approach the head of Celia’s family and gain permission to address her. When Huntly heard him announced, he straightaway summoned Ellen into the drawing room. “For I am sure that this visit concerns you as well, my dear,” said the earl when she arrived and asked what was needed of her. “All I need to know is whether you would approve Celia’s betrothal to young Heronwood, who is no doubt waiting in agony in the morning room.”
“He seems truly fond of Celia, James. The only thing I worry about is Arden. I had so hoped for a match for both of them this Season. I know Celia will be happy, but what of her cousin?”
“There is no need for you to worry anymore about Arden. I have made arrangements for her so that you can concentrate only on Celia.”
“Arrangements? Surely she will not return to Stalbridge without me?”
“No, you have given enough of your energy to the girl, Ellen. It is Celia’s time to receive your undivided attention. I assume that you do give your permission?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Then you will be kept busy putting a trousseau together and visiting relatives. Celia will have a generous dowry to bring to this marriage.”
“James, you are too kind,” protested Mrs. Denbeigh.
“Don’t be absurd, Ellen. You have acted as a mother to my daughter. It is the least I can do. No, Arden will not be returning to Stalbridge,” he continued. “She will be with my sister Millicent or in Yorkshire.”
‘James,” Mrs. Denbeigh protested, “you couldn’t mean to send her to your sister. She would be miserable.”
“It is not my first choice, I admit, but I may need your help in bringing her round.”
“To what? And what is in Yorkshire?”
“I am hoping that when I leave she will be on her way to Yorkshire as Mrs. Gareth Richmond.”
“What!” exclaimed his sister-in-law, truly shocked. “Why she hardly knows Captain Richmond. And doesn’t like him, I am sure.”
“Oh, I think there is a spark of interest there, Ellen. But like all fires, it needs enough air. I think Yorkshire is just the place to let it flame.”
“Does Captain Richmond care for Arden?”
“I don’t think either has a tendre for the other right now, Ellen. I think they strike sparks off one another, however, and he is the first man I have seen who will not give in to her, nor be hurt by her. No, if he can convince her, she will be married by a special license before I leave. Will you add your arguments to mine when the time comes?”
“Yes, I suppose so,” replied Mrs. Denbeigh thoughtfully. “I would rather see Arden with someone like Captain Richmond than with Millicent,” she concluded vehemently. “Oh, I beg your pardon, James,” she said, embarrassed by her implied insult.
“No need to
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