Arabella by Herries Anne

Author:Herries, Anne [Herries, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-01-24T00:00:00+00:00

Arabella woke as she heard the sound of laughter close by. It was not the first time she'd heard it and it intrigued her. Mistress Elizabeth, as she'd been told to call her benefactress, seemed to have a lot of company in her house. Gentlemen as well as ladies, for she had heard their voices passing her door.

She was aware of feeling much better that morning. A week had passed since the birth and death of her son. The grief was still sharp when she thought about it, but she did not let herself think of it very often. She had to get well and then she could leave this house and start collecting money for Harry.

The laughter was outside her door now. It sounded pleasant and made Arabella curious.

'Who is there?'

Silence followed and then the door opened cautiously and a pretty girl peeped round. She did not look more than sixteen and her eyes were bright with mischief.

'Mistress Elizabeth will have my guts for garters for disturbing you,' she said and crept into the room. 'Are you feeling better, Mistress Arabella? Mistress Elizabeth told us we were not to disturb you at any cost. You have been very ill and we were all so sad to learn that your child had died.'

Arabella blinked back her tears and looked at her curiously. 'Who are you – and what is your name please?'

The girl seemed to hesitate for a moment, then came to perch on the edge of the bed. 'I am called Thea by my friends and I am…Mistress Elizabeth's niece by marriage.'

'I am so pleased to make your acquaintance, Mistress Thea.'

'Please, call me Thea,' she said, a dimple in both cheeks. 'Are you going to live with us, Mistress Arabella?'

'No, I don't think so,' Arabella said with a slight frown. 'Mistress Elizabeth has been good to me, but she cannot want the burden of my presence in her house.'

'Oh, I do not think she would find you a burden for long. You are much too pretty,' Thea said and started to giggle. She was little more than a child and perhaps not even as old as Arabella had first thought her.

'I do not believe I shall find a husband that easily,' Arabella said and was surprised when the other girl giggled even more. She was about to ask her to explain when Elizabeth came bustling into the room.

'Thea, you naughty girl,' she said in a mock scolding tone. 'Did I not tell you Arabella was to be allowed to rest for a few more days? She has been too ill to want to hear your foolish talk, my dear.'

'I am sorry,' Thea said and shot a look at Arabella. 'I haven't said anything to upset you – have I Arabella?'

'No, of course not,' Arabella replied. 'Besides, I am feeling so much better now that I shall be glad of company. I think I ought to be getting up soon, Mistress Elizabeth. I already owe you more than I can pay.

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