He forcefully averted his gaze and withdrew the hand he had extended into her clothing.
Arabella Vanderbilt breathed a slight sigh of relief, sat up, and blushingly adjusted her clothes.
Her inner garments had long been unfastened by Joel Russo, and Arabella struggled for quite some time to clasp them back.
"Let me help you."
Joel gently drew Arabella into his arms, his hands passing through either side of her body, his chin resting on her shoulder as he fastened the clasp, then lowered her clothing.
Arabella tucked her hair behind her ear.
At this moment, a servant knocked on the room door.
"Eldest Young Master, the Young Mistress's dinner has been delivered."
"Come in."
Joel responded indifferently and reached out to tuck Arabella in.
The servant arranged the meal respectfully and, before leaving, said to Joel:
"Eldest Young Master, dinner in the main hall is about to begin as well."
"I know."
The dishes were all quite light, just to Arabella's taste.
