Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Two days later …

“Just where do you think you are going?”

Isabelle winced slightly as she shut her eyes, her hand frozen just inches away from the front door.

So close.

She clenched her fingers into a fist, taking a moment to compose herself before turning around to face her brother. “I was headed to my friend, Lady Danbury. I wanted to discuss the novel that I am reading.”

Richard stood at the foot of the stairs with his arms crossed over his chest as he raised an eyebrow. “Alone?” He tilted his head to the side expectantly.

“Yes, alone, it is not improper for a young lady to visit her married friends without a chaperone. Have customs changed since the last time I paid her a visit?” She matched his stance and tilted her head defiantly to the side.

“They have not, but you know that Aunt Alice made it clear that she will be your chaperone wherever you go until you are married. You know we can’t trust you after your little stunt the other night at the ball. You can’t just go traipsing about London as you please. Once you are married, your husband will tell you when and where you may call on your friends; until then, you must obey us.” He seemed tired as he sighed and unfolded his arms.

“Am I to ask this fictitious husband for permission every time I wish to sneeze? Or will he be in control of my involuntary functions as well?” Her tone held an unmistakable note of mocking.

Sighing deeply now, her brother shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose between his finger and thumb. “I’m begging you, Isabelle, do not make things more difficult than they need to be. You must marry. You have known of this arrangement for quite some time. It is the way of things.” He opened his eyes and shook his head in exasperation.

Her fists clenched at her sides as her irritation grew. “Just because I have known of your wishes for quite some time does not mean I agree with them. Why do I need to marry if I already have a home? The same home where I have lived for all of my life?”

“Because life isn’t just about you, Isabelle!” Richard snapped before he could stop himself.

Looking away, Isabelle blinked back the hot tears of rage that had suddenly welled up in her eyes.

“I didn’t mean to snap at you. You know I have always held you in high regard, but this is the way of things. You must marry, just as I must marry Miss Sedgewick …”

“For her money.” The words came out of her mouth without much thought.

The hurt in his eyes made her feel a slight pang of guilt. “I am doing what I have to do for this family. It’s about time that you did the same. Believing in a love match within the confines of marriage is fodder for romance novels. Perhaps you should stop reading so much and play your part in the real world.”

“Forgive me for my harsh words, brother, but I do not wish to marry for money as you are planning on doing. Miss Sedgewick may want me out of the house once her ‘new’ money has taken up residence, but I refuse to be part of it. I will be a lonely spinster with a dwindling dowry, even if it means that you are no longer on my side. If that makes me selfish, then so be it.” Her breathing deepened as she noted the serious look in her brother’s eyes.

Richard’s jaw clenched as he stood a little straighter, causing a line of scarring to darken on the edge of his chin. “Lord James will be calling soon. You had better go upstairs and change into something more suitable to receive him. Aunt Alice will be down to chaperone, and I do not wish to hear another word of this foolish plan you have concocted. No sister of mine will become a lonely spinster.” He turned towards the stairs and began to make his way up.

“I assume that dearest Caroline was the one who accepted the calling card for Lord James,” she huffed under her breath and shook her head.

Whipping around, Richard halted halfway up the stairs and glared at her. “I accepted the calling card. Lord James is the second son of a marquess with ambitions to make his own way. Money may not matter to you, but it does to everyone else in the real world.”

Isabelle shut her eyes once again as her brother continued up the stairs, leaving her alone for a moment with her thoughts.

Why can’t they just leave things be as they are?

She barely had time to catch her breath when a knock sounded on the door behind her.

Oh, for heaven’s sake.

She heaved a sigh and looked down the hall, waiting to see if the butler or one of the footmen were on their way. She reminded herself that it wasn’t proper for a young lady to answer the door and almost escaped when the butler suddenly appeared.

The tall man in his black livery and silver hair bowed to her respectfully before making his way to the door.

A second knock sounded before the butler could open.

“I almost thought that nobody was home.” Lord James sniffed in superiority and fixed his gloves when the door finally opened.

“My apologies, My Lord.” The butler apologized and bowed, accepting the walking cane and hat thrust into his hands.

“In my house, the butler answers the door before the second knock. It is a rule that he lives by.” Lord James sniffed again and removed his gloves, handing them to the butler before setting his gaze on Isabelle.

A shiver of disgust ran down her spine when he smiled at her.

“Miss Sutton, it is such a pleasure to see you waiting for me. For once. Your life is always so busy and eventful; it is usually me who waits for you.” The corner of his mouth curled into a smile, exposing his white teeth.

Swallowing hard, she sucked her lower lip into her mouth before letting out a breath. “Good morning, Lord James. I am afraid you have caught me quite unawares. I was just about to go upstairs and change.” She lifted the hem of her dress and turned, hoping to escape for a few moments.

Closing the distance between them, he placed his hand on her arm and held her back. “Forgive me, Miss Sutton. I do not wish to come across as improper, but I wouldn’t want to waste a single second with you now that we are here.” His eyes wandered over her plain brown dress and grey cloak. “Even if you aren’t dressed for the occasion.”

“Occasion?” She raised an eyebrow and pulled her arm free before taking a step back.

Lord James cleared his throat and stood up straight, fixing his lapels before answering. “Is it not a special occasion for any young woman when a gentleman calls?”

“It depends entirely on the reason and the gentleman caller in question, Lord James.” She noted the flash in his eyes when she spoke back.

“You do amuse me, Miss Sutton; so many young women these days never speak their minds. You are a breath of fresh air in the way you tease me.” He offered her a lazy smile that came off as smug.

“I was not …”

“Goodness, Lord James, is that you? What a lovely surprise.” Aunt Alice appeared at the top of the stairs, making her way down as she shot Isabelle a warning glance. Her thin fingers slid down the banister, displaying an overly large amethyst that her late husband had given her.

Bowing low, Lord James placed one arm over his waist before coming up straight. “Lady Sinclair, it is such an honour to have you join us for tea. I couldn’t have asked for finer company in all of London.”

The charm that dripped from his voice made Isabelle uncomfortable as the pit of her stomach churned.

“The honour is all ours, Lord James. It is such a pleasure to have you call on us. Is it not, Isabelle?” She reached the bottom of the stairs and raised a thin eyebrow.

Mustering every ounce of her strength, Isabelle rallied. Having one disagreement with a family member was enough for one day. “It certainly was a surprise.” The corner of her mouth twitched slightly as she forced a smile.

The heavy fabric of her aunt’s dress rustled over the steps as she reached the bottom and eyed Isabelle’s dress. “Were you headed somewhere?” The pleasant smile remained pasted to her lips despite the disapproval in her eyes.

How does she do that?

Isabelle had always marvelled at the way ladies of the ton could act. They could sell a horse to a traveller with a smile despite cursing them in the back of their minds.

She always felt as if she had been cursed with an honest face. Whatever she felt at any given time inevitably showed in her expression.

“I was on my way to Lady Danbury. If I had known of Lord James’s visit, I would have changed.” She left out the fact that it was her location that she would have changed rather than her dress.

“And what is it that you and Lady Danbury wished to discuss? If I may be as bold as to enquire.” The demanding tone in his voice didn’t go unnoticed by Isabelle.

“A book that I am reading, if you must know, Lord James. I have just finished the first two chapters and wish to discuss them with my friend.” The tips of her fingers rubbed against her palms as she fought against her frustrations.

A smirk curved his lips as Lord James shook his head. “I suppose reading novels is an almost agreeable activity for an unwed young lady. Just as long as the lady in question gives it up once she is married. I often find that novels can fill a young woman’s mind with too many thoughts. Wives should be obedient rather than thoughtful.”

And husbands should be non-existent.

Isabelle clenched her fingers into tight fists at her sides.

“Quite right, Lord James. Young ladies should practice embroidery, painting, and the pianoforte. Anything else clutters the mind with senseless notions,” Aunt Alice added to the conversation when Isabelle looked as if she were about to retort.

“Quite right, Lady Sinclair.” Lord James placed his hands behind his back and nodded, lifting his nose high in the air.

Taking a deep breath, Isabelle came up with a plan, placing one hand over her abdomen as she swooned.

“Miss Sutton?” Lord James rushed forward and gripped her elbow when it seemed as if she would faint.

“Forgive me, I’m not certain what came over me …” She fumbled over her words and allowed him to help her back up. The feel of his fingers on her arms was nauseating, yet it was worth it if it allowed her to escape.

Aunt Alice narrowed her eyes in suspicion but didn’t intervene.

Lord James held her up straight with one hand on her back and the other on her arm.

“You seem to have come over faint, Miss Sutton. Are you still not well?” He seemed pleased at her frailty.

“I … I think I just need to lay down for a moment. The world suddenly seemed to spin as you spoke, Lord James.”

“I’m sure that it’s nothing that a good cup of sweet tea wouldn’t be able to fix.” Her aunt raised her eyebrows, glaring at Isabelle over her suitor’s shoulder.

Rising to the occasion, Lord James placed his hand over his heart with a flourish. “I would not dream of forcing Miss Sutton to sit through tea, even if her company would bring me great pleasure. She is obviously of a finer and more delicate disposition. Such ladies should always be treated with care.”

Isabelle’s eyebrows knit together in a disapproving frown for a split second before she caught herself. Raising the back of her hand to her forehead, she sighed. “It is as you say, Lord James. Everything has been quite overwhelming for me. I fear that I must lay down at once if I am to avoid swooning in your presence.” She opened her eyes just enough to see his reaction before shutting them again.

“You must go to bed at once and rest, Miss Sutton. I will not call on you again until you are completely healed from your illness. I will not hear any protests to the contrary,” he spoke with an heir of authority.

“Do you promise?” she asked a little too quickly before correcting herself. “I mean, I would hate to miss your company, but if you insist…”

Aunt Alice shook her head behind Lord James’s back, pursing her lips in disapproval.

“Not only do I insist, but I command it, Miss Sutton.” He puffed out his chest like a pigeon.

Clearing her throat with a heavy sigh, Isabelle lowered her hand from her forehead. “You are a young lady’s dream, Lord James. Not many men would so gallantly offer up their time so selflessly. I will do as you say and rest until I am completely healed. Even if it takes me months.”

“I’m sure it won’t take more than a few days, one week at most,” Aunt Alice intervened now, ringing a bell to summon the butler when Lord James reached for his hat and cane.

“I will be waiting for your letter to say that you are well again, Miss Sutton.” He reached for her hand and kissed the top before she could protest.

Aunt Alice looked away without protesting.

Yet she would interject if I were to behave inappropriately.

Isabelle removed her hand and placed it behind her back where she could rub it off against her dress.

The butler appeared on cue and helped Lord James with his gloves before seeing him out.

Her aunt rounded on her just as the door closed. “I’m warning you, Isabelle, any more tricks like this, and you won’t see any of your friends until after you are married. Even your little trips to the Evergreen will come to an end if you don’t watch yourself. I will give you a few days just so that Lord James does not suspect anything, and then you will have tea with him.” She waved her index finger in Isabelle’s face before stalking down the hall.

Watching her leave, Isabelle chewed the inside of her cheek. She couldn’t put Lord James off forever but would need something like a new suitor to convince her family. It all seemed too much as she turned to the butler, who cleared his throat.

“A letter arrived for you this morning, My Lady.” He reached for a silver tray beside the door and handed the neat envelope to Isabelle.

“Thank you.” She took the letter and frowned, not recognizing the slanted writing as she opened the wax seal.

Dear Miss Sutton,

I’m sure you are wondering why I am writing to you, but I thought you would like to know that I found your little trick quite amusing.

It gives me great pleasure to inform you that Miss Elinor Dashwood married Fanny’s brother, Edward Farris. Miss Marianne Dashwood married Colonel Brandon instead of John Willoughby. I do hope that the ending of your beloved novel didn’t leave you too disappointed.

Yours unaffectionately,

Lord Henry Montague, Earl of Ashford.

Frustration flowed through her veins as she ripped the note into hundreds of tiny pieces, letting the shreds fall to the floor at her feet.

Stubborn, pompous, meddling fool!

She vowed to have her revenge if it was the last thing she ever did.