Dearest Love by Betty Neels

Author:Betty Neels
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-08-23T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

ARABELLA WASN’T IN the least tired. Curled up in the vast bed, she reviewed the day. It had gone without a hitch but then she had known it would; Titus wouldn’t have stood for less than perfection. She had enjoyed the wedding and she felt at home here in this comfortable house by the canal although the manor house had her heart—besides, Bessy and Jerry were there. They would go there very often, Titus had said, and she knew him well enough to know that she could rely on him not to go back on his word. She wondered how she would fill her days, and went to sleep while she was still pondering that.

They breakfasted together, the two dogs and Percy lined up between them before the fire, discussing when they would go to the manor again, which day Arabella would like to go shopping, the best walks for the dogs—a pleasant, undemanding conversation. Arabella, notwithstanding her doubts of the previous night, felt very much at her ease.

‘We’ll take these two into the park this afternoon?’ he suggested. ‘Bassett needs a good run and Beauty will keep an eye on him.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘We can walk to church—it’s only ten minutes or so. I’ve some telephoning—can we meet in an hour?’

She wandered round the house, getting to know her way around it, and then she went into the garden with the animals. It was a chilly morning and she was wearing her suit; her winter coat had seen better days and she hesitated to wear it to church. Probably Titus was known there and people might think her a very shabby sort of wife. It was fortunate that she still had a felt hat which would go very well with the suit—a dateless hat, plain and elegant and made by a well-known hatter.

He was waiting for her when she went downstairs. She was conscious of his eyes raking her person and went pink. ‘Very nice,’ he told her, ‘but shouldn’t you be wearing a thicker coat?’

She said simply, ‘My winter coat is too old—you’d be ashamed of me.’

‘Never. But you will be happier without it. Tomorrow you shall go to the shops and start to buy whatever you need, Arabella. I don’t mean any shops—I’ve an account at Harrods; you’ll go there, please, and buy anything and everything which may take your fancy.’

‘That’s a risky remark to make to a woman.’

‘Not to you! As soon as I have time I’ll get you settled with an allowance; in the meantime use Harrods.’

‘It’s a very expensive shop. I haven’t been there for years.’

They were walking to church along the quiet streets. ‘Well, now you can have a browse round and see if it still suits your taste. I’ll give them a ring in the morning and let you have my account number.’

‘Thank you, but you must let me know how much I can spend—I haven’t the least idea.’

He mentioned a sum which brought her to a halt.

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