Introducing Adam and Arabella, Part 2

My Lady Thief is an enemies-to-lovers Regency romance. Last week I showed you Arabella through Adam's eyes. This week I'd like to show you Adam through Arabella's eyes.

In this scene, Adam has asked Arabella to dance—and not because he likes her! (The only information you need to know is that physical proximity to men makes Arabella very uncomfortable because of events in her past).

Read on...

It was the first time in seven years that Arabella had walked onto a dance floor with Adam St. Just. She was aware of heads turning and sidelong glances of astonishment. She was equally astonished. Why had St. Just asked her to dance?

The answer came as she glanced at him. St. Just’s jaw was tight, his mouth a thin line. He’s going to tell me off.

Arabella lifted her chin. Let him try!

They made their bows to each other. As always, the opening notes of the waltz filled her with dread. She took a deep breath and forced herself not to tense as St. Just took her hand, as his arm came around her.

They began to dance. The feeling of being trapped was strong. A man is holding me. Panic rose sharply in her. All her instincts told her to break free. Arabella concentrated on breathing calmly, on keeping a slight smile on her face.

“I would appreciate it, Miss Knightley, if you’d refrain from giving my sister advice about matters that are none of your concern.” St. Just spoke the words coldly.

Arabella met his eyes. There was nothing of the lover about him; on the contrary, his animosity was clearly visible.

Her panic began to fade. She raised her eyebrows. “Oh? Would you?”

St. Just’s jaw clenched.

Arabella observed this—and began to feel rather more cheerful. “I was only trying to help,” she said, widening her eyes.

His grip tightened. “It is none of your business who my sister does—or doesn’t—marry.”

Arabella ignored this remark. “Why do you wish Grace to marry so young?”

“That’s none of your business!”

“Grace is little more than a child. She has no idea what she wants in a marriage―”

“I shall decide what she wants!” St. Just snapped.

Arabella laughed, as much from amusement as to annoy him. The sense of being trapped had evaporated. For the first time in her life, she was finding pleasure in a waltz. Each sign of St. Just’s irritation—the narrowing of his eyes and tightening of his jaw, the gritting of his teeth—was something to be noted and enjoyed.

“You find that amusing?”

“Yes. Grace is still learning who she is. Until she knows that, how can she—or you—have any idea what will suit her in a husband?”

“A man of good breeding.” He swung her into an abrupt turn. “A man of respectable fortune and―”

“No,” Arabella said. “I’m talking about a man’s character.”

St. Just looked down his nose at her. “If you imagine that I’d allow Grace to marry a man of unsavory character―”

“You misunderstand me again, Mr. St. Just. I’m talking about those qualities that are more particular to a person. Qualities that have nothing to do with one’s bloodline or fortune, or even with one’s public character.” Her smile was edged. “Let us take, as an example, your search for a wife.”

St. Just stiffened. He almost missed a step. “I beg your pardon?” he said in a frigid tone.

As you can see, Arabella and Adam have a very prickly relationship. It's hard to imagine them falling in love, isn't it?

Here they are waltzing. While an observer might think they're enjoying themselves, you and I know better!



[Image courtesy of the Rijksmuseum collection of public domain images.]