must suit you.’
‘Yes, indeed it does,’ Arabella agreed. ‘I never knew life could be so wonderful, Sarah. Charles is all that I could ask of a husband, and I believe he is happy too.’
‘I am sure he is,’ Sarah agreed. She glanced around the sitting room. Arabella had made some changes since she had last seen it, which Sarah liked and approved, though she was not sure that her mother did. However, Arabella was the mistress here now, and by rights Mrs Hunter should be living in the Dower House elsewhere on the estate. ‘I love this duck egg blue, Belle. It is such a soft, restful colour. I remember this room was a rather dull shade of green before. I think that light colours like this bring peace and elegance to a room.’
‘The green was perhaps a little too dark for my taste,’ Arabella said. ‘But what about you, dearest? You look very well. I think Italy must have been good for you?’
‘Yes, it was,’ Sarah said. ‘We were lucky enough to take a lovely villa in the hills of Tuscany. It is owned by the Conte di Ceasares and he lives in a larger house quite near by. He visited often and invited us to meet all his acquaintances. We made lots of wonderful new friends because of his kindness. He was sorry to see us leave.’
‘Yes, I expect he was.’ Arabella’s eyebrows went up, a little smile on her lips. ‘Your mama told me she thought he was in love with you—was he?’
‘Yes, I think so, just a little,’ Sarah said, a faint blush in her cheeks. ‘He is rich, handsome and generous, Belle. Mama was cross because I did not encourage him. She does not know that he asked me to marry him and I would prefer that she did not. She is a little impatient over the subject of marriage. She says it is impossible that I remain unwed for ever—and she thinks I should have forgotten all that nonsense of the abduction by now.’
‘Have you forgotten it?’ Arabella asked, looking at her with warm affection. They had become so close in the months after Sarah’s abduction, perhaps because the girl had been very ill after she’d escaped from her captors. For a long time she had not even known her own name. It would not be surprising if she still carried mental scars. ‘Has time erased the fear from your mind?’
‘Yes, I believe it has,’ Sarah told her, wrinkling her brow. It all seemed so long ago now; in the warmth of Italy’s sunshine, she had forgotten the dark depressing days of her illness. ‘I did consider marrying Vittorio after I heard that John was married. He is kind, generous and very charming, Belle. I like him better than most of the others…’
‘There were others?’
‘Oh, yes, several…’ Sarah laughed at her sister-in-law’s teasing look. ‘One of them was Captain Hernshaw. We met him when we were in Rome for a visit. He didn’t actually ask me to marry him, but he seemed to enjoy my company and I think he might have had I given him some encouragement. At times he was a little sad and I believe I reminded him of home.’
‘Captain Hernshaw?’ Arabella nodded, remembering the gentleman for his kindness. ‘He may have saved my life the day Sir Courtney tried to kill us both, Sarah. I always liked him. He might be a good choice if you wished to marry…’ She hesitated for a moment, and then, ‘Have you heard about John?’
‘John Elworthy?’ Sarah’s heart caught a beat. She looked at Arabella intently. ‘What about John?’
‘You said that you knew he was married?’
‘Yes, I had Charles’s letter.’
‘His wife gave birth to a son seven months after they were married. I heard that she fell down the stairs and that was why the baby was born early…’ Arabella paused, feeling uncertain. Sarah’s eyes were shadowed with some painful emotion and she almost wished she had not begun this, and yet it might be best if it came from her. ‘Andrea killed herself six months after her son was born. John tried to convince everyone that she was ill and didn’t know what she was doing, but the church refused to allow him to have her buried in consecrated ground.’
‘Oh, no!’ Sarah cried, looking shocked. Her own pain was forgotten as she thought of what he must have suffered. ‘That is awful for poor John. He must have felt wretched. Why did she kill herself, Belle? What can have made her do such a terrible thing?’
‘No one knows for certain. I don’t think John understands it—though I know he blames himself for her death. He says that the birth of the child had pulled her down, upset the balance of her mind…that she must have walked into the river in some frantic fit of despair.’ Arabella also sensed that there were thoughts that John did not share with his friends, for she had seen the shadows that lurked in his eyes and knew that he was tormented by his wife’s suicide.
‘That is such a terrible thing to happen,’ Sarah said and tears stung her eyes as she pictured John’s distress. ‘He must have been so distressed. He could only have been married a short time.’
‘Just over a year in all,’ Arabella said. ‘I know how it feels to lose someone you love, Sarah—but my first husband died a hero. John bears the burden of his wife’s shame and her illness. I have seen him only once since the funeral, but Charles has visited with him for a few days. He says that John blames himself for her death and I am sure he is right. It is hardly surprising that he should feel it so deeply. You know how gentle and caring John has always been, Sarah.’
‘Yes, I do,’ Sarah agreed and her throat was tight with emotion. ‘But I am certain that he has no reason to blame himself. His wife must surely have been ill?’
‘That is what Elizabeth and Daniel both say,’ Arabella said. ‘I am not sure if you know the Earl and Countess of Cavendish? They live quite close to John and knew his wife a little, though she did not go out often. I only met her twice. That reminds me, Daniel and Elizabeth are coming to stay with us in a few days so you will meet them then.’
‘I remember the earl,’ Sarah said. ‘He and Charles were friends before I was abducted. It was the earl who first discovered what had happened to me, wasn’t it?’ She nodded as Arabella confirmed it. ‘Yes, I thought so. I don’t believe I have met his wife, though.’
‘You will like Elizabeth,’ Arabella said confidently. ‘She is one of my best friends now. We visit each other often. Elizabeth has twin sons of about Harry’s age. She would like a daughter, but as yet it has not happened for her.’
‘She is lucky to have her sons,’ Sarah said, a slightly wistful look in her eyes. She had held her nephew Harry and the feel of his soft, warm body in her arms had made her feel decidedly broody. ‘As you are to have yours, Belle. Do you want another boy or a girl this time?’
‘I really do not mind,’ Arabella said, a look of serenity on her face. ‘We are quite happy to have whatever God sends us, Sarah. Another boy or a girl will be equally loved.’
‘Yes, of course,’ Sarah said and held back a sigh. She could not help envying her sister-in-law her obvious contentment with life. Such happiness would be denied to her, unless she married. ‘Mama keeps telling me I should marry, Belle. I think it would be all right. I am not afraid of being touched by a man now, as long as I truly cared for him, that is—but I haven’t found anyone I can love. Is it foolish of me to hope for it? I want to be loved and happy the way you and my brother are. Or should I marry for position and comfort as Mama seems to think I ought?’ She frowned, for it seemed to her that she was unlikely to fall in love again. She had met several attractive and charming gentlemen in Italy, but none of them had touched her heart.
‘I think you should wait
