The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 1773

Eunice had indeed pulled sstrings to gift her niece six boxes of an incredibly rare tea. It was a gesture that spoke volumes

about the lengths she would go for family.

"Thanks, Eunice," Arabella said with a warm smile.

"Don't mention it, kiddo. We're family, after all," Eunice chuckled, her eyes twinkling with affection. "Go on, drink up while it's hot.

Whatever you want, just ask and it's yours."

At that moment, through the sliding glass doors leading to the patio, Louisa caught sight of the gardener, Edith, making secretive

gestures, beckoning her outside.

Not wanting to interrupt the family chat, Louisa excused herself and slipped through the doors to join Edith among the flower beds.

"What's going on?" she whispered.

"Ma'am, did Sean do something wrong? It's freezing out, and he's been standing outside the front door for over an hour now. I've

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seen him coughing." Edith's voice was laced with concern. "The holidays are nearly upon us, and it would be terrible if he got sick.

If it's because he wasn't here when Ms. Bella arrived, surely a stern talking-to would suffice? It's below freezing, and he's hardly

dressed for it."

Louisa was taken aback, "Sean's back?"

When did that happen? Why hadn't she been informed? She hadn't heard a peep from the other servants.

"Yes, I've been busy supervising the garden's winter pruning when | noticed Sean still out there." Edith trailed off, visibly puzzled.

"You didn't ask him to stand there, did you? What are he and Steward doing out front without coming inside?"

Edith was at a loss, and she didn't dare to probe further.

"I'll go check it out," Louisa resolved, equally clueless about what Sean and Steward were plotting.

Outside, the two men were a sorry sight, their lips tinged with the blue of the cold. They had underestimated the chill, having

traveled by plane and car in a rush to get back. Sean, coming straight from a hospital visit, hadn't even thought to wear a coat,

and now the gentle snowfall was turning into a bitter reminder of their oversight.

"Are you going to figure something out or what?" Sean shot an icy look at Steward, his breath forming frosty clouds as he spoke.

The cold was biting, and the security guard in the nearby booth was snug in his thick coat and the warmth of a heater.

"Sean, if | had a way in, I'd have taken it already." Steward stammered, his hands rubbing together for warmth. The desire to

retreat to the heated car was overwhelming.

At the suggestion, Sean's eyes narrowed with a cunning glint. "How about | tie you up and let my sister take her frustrations out on

you?"

Steward's eyes bulged in disbelief. He thought, "Seriously, Sean? Why don't you let her take it out on you? It's not like I'm the one

who angered her, or the one who left her stranded at the mountain—it was you!"

But he dared not voice his thoughts, instead, desperately grasping for excuses. "Sean, I'm too skinny, it wouldn't be satisfying

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enough for her. Maybe..."

His gaze inadvertently settled on the true culprit.

Sean gave him a warning glare that seemed to say: Are you looking for trouble?

Steward had no choice but to change the subject. "I think Ms. Bella's upset mainly because Mr. Bynes broke up with her!"

"As if that guy dictates my sister's mood," Sean scoffed, clearly dismissive. Yet, it irked him to think that something—or someone—

could hold such sway over his sister's emotions that he had to stand out in the cold like this. That Timothy would have to settle his

debts later.

"How about we grab Mr. Bynes and let her take it out on him?" Steward suggested wildly.

"Sean, look, it's Mrs. Collins! She's coming out to us," Steward suddenly blurted out, spotting her approach and hopping from foot

to foot in excitement. "Mrs. Collins, it's us!"