Chapter 15

Chapter 15

I can do this.

Isabelle took a deep breath and placed the palm of her hand against the dining room door. The wood felt cool and solid beneath her palm, giving her something to focus on as she stilled her mind.

Her dreams had been troubled after the ball—fast-paced and confusing. His hands had been strong and gentle on her hips, holding her close while never imposing on her freedom.

She had wanted the dream to continue when he was about to say something to her, yet the roar of the rest of the ton had drowned out what he was trying to say.

Why did it feel as if she had been alone with him at the ball? Her lips curled into a smile but quickly faded when she wondered what waited for her beyond the door.

The silence in the carriage ride after the ball had caused her a great deal of concern. It wasn’t like her aunt and brother to let things slide. She just knew that a fight was imminent.

Composing herself, she pushed open the door and stepped into the room.

Aunt Alice and Richard looked up from their cups, following her movements as she sat at the table in her usual place with Richard at the head.

The awkwardness that filled the air caused the skin on her palms to itch. She suddenly wished she’d stayed in bed, feigning illness after a long evening.

“You slept late this morning,” Richard broke the silence after clearing his throat. His tone was even and cool, yet his eyes betrayed the anger that was seething below the surface.

“I was quite tired.” Isabelle placed her hand beside her plate and fidgeted with her spoon, avoiding looking them in the eyes.

Why do things have to be this way?

“I should imagine that would be the case after the scandal you caused last night,” Aunt Alice snapped, causing Isabelle to look up.

Raising his hand, Richard motioned for his aunt to be silent. “I will handle this, Aunt Alice. Allow me to discuss the matter with my sister.”

“As you wish,” she answered haughtily and returned to her breakfast, picking listlessly at her slice of toast.

Meeting Isabelle’s gaze, Richard stared at her from across the table. “This Henry Montague fellow ... How long have you known him for? Was the night you ran away the first time you have ever met him?”

What does he think I have been up to?

“Yes, I met Lord Ashford on the night of the final ball of the season. We have since become friends with shared interests. If you must know, he likes to read just as much as I do.” Isabelle lifted her chin defiantly in the air, placing her hands on her lap beneath the table.

There was nothing sinister or clandestine about her friendship with Henry. They had done nothing wrong as far as she was concerned. She did not need to keep any of it hidden from her family.

“I see, and am I to take it that he is the reason for your frequent visits to the circulating library?” The corner of his mouth twitched slightly as he attempted to keep his cool.

“Yes and no. I will be honest with you as there is nothing for me to hide. I have always loved the Evergreen, but Henry and I have enjoyed seeing each other there. Our friendship goes beyond anything you will be able to understand …”

“You deliberately disobey me …” Aunt Alice banged her fist on the table, making the cups and saucers rattle. Her nostrils flared with anger as her eyes darkened.

“I haven’t done anything wrong!” Isabelle nearly jumped to her feet, enraged by how she was being treated. Did they not bear witness to the way that Lord James spoke to her at the ball? They were treating her like the aggressor when she had been the victim. Lord Henry had done nothing but save her from embarrassment.

Rage filled her aunt’s face as she narrowed her eyes. “Just what were the two of you discussing all those times you were together?!”

Her words seemed to enrage Richard as he whipped his head in her direction. “How many times were there? And why have you never mentioned anything to me!?” he asked, raising his voice in anger and turning his body towards their aunt.

“Don’t you dare raise your voice at me, young man. You may be the baron of this house, but I am still your aunt. I will be respected for the position I hold in this family. I didn’t see the point in telling you about the flirtation when Isabelle was constantly under my care.

They were never left alone in my presence!” She continued to bang her fists on the table while glaring at her nephew.

Richard’s jaw nearly hit the floor as he gawked at his aunt. “Flirtation? You knew about this all along and never thought to tell me, yet you defend your stance on the matter. Isabelle has all but made a fool of herself and this family. Do you think that Lord James will still want to marry her after last night? The man was humiliated, for heaven’s sake!”

Flirtation?

Isabelle’s heart suddenly skipped a beat as she recalled the way he’d touched her wrist, the gentle way he’d danced with her, and the way he’d looked into her eyes. Had they been flirting?

Her mind filled with confusion after all of her dreams. He’d held her like Atlas had held the world: gentle, sure, and strong.

The argument all but faded into the background of Isabelle’s mind until her brother confronted her again.

“Why are you so hell-bent on destroying this engagement? We need Lord James and the money he can provide!” It was Richard’s turn to slam his fists on the table, making Isabelle jump this time.

His words made her snap out of her daze as she glared at him. “Money, what money is it that Lord James can provide? He is not in line for inheritance. Everyone keeps mentioning these grand business gestures, yet I am still to learn what they are.” She frowned at her brother, wondering why he didn’t see how bad Lord James truly was.

“I have told you not to get involved in matters that do not concern you! You will marry Lord James regardless of how he comes into his money!” The scarring on her cheeks turned white and bulged as his face filled with colour, hinting at just how angry he was.

Their aunt intervened this time by raising her hand. “Peace, I think we had all better take a deep breath before things get out of hand.” She cleared her throat and turned back to Isabelle. “What is it that you think you will gain by spending so much time with Lord Montague, Isabelle? He is far too old to entertain a young woman such as yourself.” She shook her head in disapproval but waited for a response.

“Old? You worry about his age when Lord Henry has been the only person to see me for who I truly am. He’s treated me with nothing but respect and dignity ever since we met. I will go as far as to say that he is the only person who truly cares about me.”

“Then perhaps you should go and marry him then! I am tired of trying my best for this family and being undermined at every turn! Is absolutely everyone in this family selfish besides me!?” Richard slumped back in his chair, shaking his head and gesturing to Isabelle and their aunt.

“He will certainly make a far better husband than Lord James!” Isabelle shot back, catching them all off guard as the room filled with stunned silence.

“Are you in love with him?” their aunt asked quietly as the colour drained from her face.

Stammering, Isabelle suddenly lost track of her thoughts. “I … I … I simply mean that he’s a better man than Lord James. He treats me with respect and kindness. Henry is my friend …” She couldn’t explain why she suddenly felt shy.

“Henry … are you on a first-name basis then?” Aunt Alice’s voice grew even quieter.

He is just my friend, isn’t he?

Isabelle’s throat suddenly felt dry as she gulped, turning her gaze back to her empty plate.

“Isabelle … Lord Montague is an old man; even when he was younger, he was unable to provide his wife with a child. The man was injured in a war. A childless life is no easy matter for any lady, especially not for those of advanced age. These are hard truths, but you must hear them before it’s too late. Lord Montague may have wealth, but he does not have the means to make you happy,” Aunt Alice spoke more gently, clutching her throat as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

Her words shocked Isabelle, yet she couldn’t sit by and listen to her family slandering his name. “And how do you know that it was Lord Henry at fault? What if the problem lay with his wife and not him?”

A stunned look of indignation came over her face as Aunt Alice sat back in her chair and gasped. “Blaming a woman for not providing an heir is … it’s just …”

“Enough,” Richard intervened, glancing at his aunt with concern.

Feeling a twinge of guilt, Isabelle stuttered. “I didn’t mean to …”

“Enough! I forbid you from seeing that man ever again. You will marry Lord James if it’s the last thing I see on this earth. I have been charged with your well-being, and as such, I will do what is best for you!” Pushing his chair back with his legs, he stood, allowing the legs to scrape across the wooden floor.

“I am not a child, Richard. You cannot forbid me from living my life!” Hot tears of anger welled in Isabelle’s eyes.

“You may not be a child anymore, but you certainly act like one! If you are so intent on disobeying my orders like a child, then you shall be treated like one!” He stepped away from the table and slammed his chair back in place before storming to her side and gripping Isabelle’s arm.

It was too late for her to escape as he pulled her towards the door. “Richard, stop, you can’t do this!” The tears fell freely down her cheeks as she stopped herself just in time from stumbling.

“I should have done this a long time ago. You have had far too much freedom to realize how the real world works for women like you.” He dragged her up the stairs, forcing her ahead of him on the gallery before pushing her into her room.

“How is wealth all that matters to you when Lord James doesn’t treat me with any kind of respect!” Angry tears stung her cheeks as she whipped around to face her brother. The moment grew tense as she balled her fists at her sides and stared him down.

Richard stood his ground, refusing to budge as he slammed the door in her face. The finality of the slam brought Isabelle to her senses as she sprang into action and hurried towards the door.

He’s being serious.

A cold sweat broke out on her skin as she slammed her hand against the door.

“Richard, please don’t do this! There is nothing more than friendship between me and Henry. You can’t forbid me from seeing him!” She pounded on the door with her fists just as the key turned in the lock.

“And now there will be even less than that!” Richard yelled at the top of his lungs.

She heard a large piece of furniture scraping across the floor before feeling the thud against the door.

“No …” She sobbed softly with her forehead against the door as the final remnants of hope left her body.

Why am I so bothered by never seeing him again?

She turned her back to the door and slid to the ground, burying her face in her hands. All she could think of was his face and never seeing him look into her eyes ever again.

The ache in her chest grew stronger when she looked to the corner of the room where the large pile of books stood beside her desk. Each one was the same, yet their pages represented the friendship born from a game of revenge.

“Isabelle …” Richard’s muffled voice carried through the door as she shut her eyes and leaned the back of her head against the wood.

Nothing mattered to her anymore as she stared into the dark abyss behind her eyelids.

“Isabelle, please try and see that I am doing this for you. No good will come from knowing a man like Lord Montague. He has nothing to offer a young lady. Lord James will take care of you.”

By controlling every second of my life.

She couldn’t help crying as she wished Henry were there with all her heart. Wherever he was at present, she hoped he knew that she cared for his friendship.