Even worse was the fact that he was set to go to the Jeromes at Millcote by himself tomorrow for a few days to see the lay of the land, leaving her in the care of the Elthams and Stones. Three days without her seemed unbearable enough. It was made all the more trying by the thought of them having quarrelled and not patched it up.
Blake tried to speak with Arabella, but she managed to avoid being alone with him, and went up to bed early and came down late to be sure she would not run into Blake.
Really, he was so blind… She couldn't spend more than five minutes in his company without wanting to fling herself into his arms. It was getting harder and harder to pretend she was indifferent to him. Why, oh why was he so determined to keep them apart?
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
By the time Blake returned to Bath three days later after an exceptionally successful trip to the Jeromes' house at Millcote, he could see with alarm that things had moved on quite a bit between Arabella and Adam Neville.
Michael informed him angrily, "He's been here for hours at a time, day and night. You should never have left her."
"I had no choice!" he argued. "I wasn't even sure of my reception at Jerome Manor when I left here. But they were the souls of kindness. They're struggling hard to cope with their grief. They have to for the sake of the two youngest girls, and would like us to join them, put together a house party to lift their spirits."
Michael shook his head. "I'm going to cry off. I really want to get back to my own home. Everyone has been very kind, but I feel I've been in company too much. I need to get used to being alone again, for it is to be my lot in life."
"Only if you choose it to be."
"No, really. I don't want to be a burden. You as heir will have much to do. I'll come other time when things are more settled."
Blake offered him his hand. "We'll see you again soon, never fear. I intend to remain in the district for some time longer, and Millcote is only a few miles away."
"What about London?"
"Arabella is happy here."
"Yes, but what of you? And your work?"
"I've been thinking about what Peter said before he left. There are plenty of ill and poor in the area around here, too. Clifford Stone helps keep Millcote running as a model village, as does Thomas for his own cottages at Eltham, and tries to do for Brimley. I shall speak to them both about the possibility of setting up a practice in the area," he decided upon the spur of the moment.
"I would be delighted," Michael said sincerely.
"Thank you for your support. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to start packing, and find my ward."
"Listen, I know it's none of my business, but if you don't intervene soon, everyone is going to take it for granted that Adam and Arabella are engaged."
"I have no grounds for forbidding the match!" Blake said in agony.
"None except the truth about how you feel."
"She's so angry with me now, I doubt it will make much difference."
"Why is she angry?"
"Because I forbade her to have anything to do with Philip Marshall."
"Idiot!" he exclaimed impatiently. "He's been trying to fend off those two cousins of hers. You took away her second guardian as well as yourself!"
"If you had seen them kissing-"
"He was trying to get you jealous, you twit. Please, Philip is your friend. Adam and Oliver aren't. Take Arabella to the Jeromes and try to mend fences with her, before it's too late."
Blake nodded, and went in search of Arabella.
He found her in the drawing room with Adam and Vanessa Stone, who was knitting and keeping a close eye on the couple. Really, what had Blake been thinking allowing her to be left like this?
"Arabella, may I speak with you for a moment?"
"Yes, of course. Pray excuse me."
Adam gave what passed for a charming smile from him, and praised Vanessa's work in so fulsome a manner that she wanted to go take a bath.
The eldest Neville was so oily. How could they not see what he really was? He sat far too close to her, and she was sure he was staring at her modest expanse of cleavage.
Blake told her briefly of his trip to the Jeromes. "They're lovely people, and would like for us to come stay with them."
She gave him a cool nod. "If you think it best."
"It may perhaps be dull for you after all the diversions of Bath," he said crisply, "but it's important to me. I would thank you to support me, and be on your best behaviour at all times."
She stiffened perceptibly. "I thought I was."