The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 1463

After a while, Belinda glanced at the clock and said to Arabella, "What's the deal with your uncle? Why's he hogging Romeo for such a long chat? It's already nine o'clock. Bella, go find them, tell your uncle that grandma needs him."

Darren couldn't help but chime in with a complaint, "Romeo's here for Bella, and after dinner, they ought to have a walk and talk together. Your uncle's monopolizing him - don't scare the guy off on his first visit."

"Yeah, hurry up. You young people should be together. What's he doing hanging around so long for?" Belinda nudged Arabella towards the garden to find them.

Bard and Romeo were hitting it off splendidly, and if it wasn't for Arabella's arrival, Bard might not have realized he'd been hogging Romeo's time.

"You guys chat." Bard said with a chuckle, making space for them.

Once her uncle had left, Arabella asked, "What's been keeping you so entertained?"

"The wedding," Romeo said affectionately. "your uncle wants to come to our wedding; he said he'd give us a hefty gift."

Arabella was taken aback that they'd discussed something so far in the future.

Romeo reached for her hand, "I've got a few buddies around here who want to meet you. Are you free?"

"You have friends?" Arabella was surprised. In the half year they'd been together, she didn't realize a man of few words like Romeo had friends.

Noticing her surprise, Romeo smiled indulgently, "Just a couple of old chums. It doesn't really matter if you meet them, but I want them to see that I've got such a wonderful fiancée."

He gently stroked her cheek, which was soft and smooth.