Chapter 7

Chapter 7

“I can’t believe the nerve of the man!” Isabelle paced up and down, brandishing the remnants of Lord Ashford’s letter.

“Calm down, Isabelle. I think you had better take a seat and have some tea before you walk a path into the grass.” Lady Evelyn Danbury smiled warmly, pouring her friend another cup of tea. Her bright green eyes twinkled mischievously.

Isabelle stopped pacing and shook her head, sinking into the white, wicker chair. “He’s just so infuriating.” She placed the remnants of her letter beside the tray as she accepted the cup of tea. She wished she hadn’t been so hasty in tearing it up; having destroyed the evidence, she had to explain the situation to her friend.

The late afternoon sun shone through the rustling leaves of the giant oak. The glistening flecks of light caught the silver rims of the cups, reflecting the magnificence of the porcelain.

“Tell me again how it is that you met Lord Ashford?” Evelyn’s delicate, long fingers curled around her hot cup of tea as she sat back in her chair and smiled at Isabelle. Her bright blonde curls had been pinned back into an elaborate style, while her skin was just as pale as Isabelle’s.

Having married a duke, Evelyn enjoyed the freedom and lifestyle that Isabelle envied without wanting the hassle of a marriage.

“He interfered with my escape on the night of the ball.” Isabelle strummed the tips of her fingers on the table as she lay her chin in her hand with her elbow on the armrest of her chair.

Evelyn’s laughter rang out across the garden as she shook her head. The light summer breeze played with a few loose tendrils that hung down her neck. “I did hear of the incident at the ball. I was only sorry that I wasn’t there to see it. Did you really tear up your dance card and let it fall to the floor? The retelling I heard sounded quite dramatic.”

Glancing down at the shredded letter, Isabelle sighed. “Yes, it’s a bad habit of mine.”

Her words only served to add to her friend’s mirth. “I’m sure Lord James didn’t look kindly upon that, but enough of him. What does this, Lord Ashford, look like? I can’t say that I’ve come across him before.”

Drawing her bottom lip between her teeth, Isabelle could feel a strange fluttering in the pit of her stomach that she didn’t understand. “He has kind eyes. He’s quite grumpy and curt, but his eyes are flecked with gold. He certainly thinks of himself as chivalrous; otherwise, I don’t see why he would have stopped me,” she added begrudgingly.

“You seem quite taken with him,” Evelyn added unexpectedly, making Isabelle realize she had been staring past her friend.

“I can assure you, Evelyn dearest, that the only thing I am taken by is the need for revenge. Lord Ashford will rue the day that he stopped me from escaping.” She sat up straighter and reached for her cup of tea, allowing the hot amber liquid to fuel her rage.

“And what exactly are you planning on doing, or should I rather not ask?” The marchioness placed her cup of tea back on the tray and reached for a dainty pink cake.

Eyeing the remnants of the letter, Isabelle once again strummed the tips of her fingers on the table while chewing the inside of her cheek. “I’m not certain yet. I visited the Evergreen this morning and tried to fish for information, but nobody seems to have anything good to say about the man. As much as I hate to say it, he’s somewhat of a kindred spirit. The ton judges him for being a recluse and reading too many books. His life sounds like a dream to me if I am being honest.”

It pained her to speak favourably of the man, but she couldn’t deny the fact that he seemed to be misunderstood, much like herself.

“And you say that he is a widower?” Evelyn asked quietly.

Realizing that her friend was watching her quite intently, she sat up straight and cleared her throat. “Yes, from what I can understand, he never wished to marry ever again. I can’t say that I blame him for that.”

Evelyn bit on her lips but didn’t say anything further as she sipped her tea, eyeing Isabelle over the rim of her cup.

“Maybe part of my revenge can be spreading gossip about him wanting to marry. I could say that he is looking for a suitable match and watch as the young ladies flock to marry him.” She thought for a moment and realized how cruel it would be if he were indeed a kindred spirit. She resented courtship, especially when it was being thrust in her unwilling direction.

“Don’t you think that spreading gossip is a little too malicious?” her friend asked with a frown.

“You’re right; it has to be something far more subtle that will get under his skin. I need to inconvenience his life without causing him actual trouble.” Her mind ran wild with all the things she could do.

“What if you read one of his novels and spoiled the ending for him? A little tit for tat?” Evelyn suggested helpfully, seemingly enjoying the fact that she could be part of the game.

Isabelle shook her head. “No, it’s too predictable. I need to take it up a notch. It has to be a little pettier than spoiling the ending of a novel while not causing him actual harm. Plus, I do not wish to read any of the books he enjoys.

Punishing myself while seeking revenge seems counter-productive. I can only imagine that reading my novel took great perseverance. I commend him for that, at least.”

“You could always intercept one of his books and glue all the pages together. Or you could write your own novel and make him the villain. Lord Ashford the Horrible. Rescuer of young ladies against their will. An ogre with kind eyes. I can see the title now.” The marchioness gestured in the air, teasing her friend.

“Do not mock me, Evelyn. You would be just as infuriated with the man if you ever met him. He’s a stubborn, sullen, busybody with a countenance to match.” Isabelle raised an eyebrow at her friend.

Biting her lips to suppress a giggle, Evelyn reached for a small cucumber sandwich cut into a triangle.

Isabelle rubbed her hands together and thought for a moment. “Although, you may be onto something. I do not fancy myself a writer, but I can send a letter to some author and request they use him as a villain in their next novel. It would make for an interesting read, provided the writer agrees to portray him in his true light.”

The marchioness’s eyes danced with amusement as she watched her friend. “I know you dislike the man quite intensely, but it is good to see you so animated and passionate about something. You have been looking quite sullen ever since your brother got engaged.”

Sighing heavily, Isabelle sipped her tea, which had begun to lose its heat. “I don’t understand why I need to marry just because Richard is doing what he thinks is right. I understand it is the way of things, but I don’t care if people view me as a spinster and gossip. I know Richard would have honoured my wishes if not for Miss Sedgewick pushing him to marry me off.” She waved a hand in the air as if she were being swept away by Caroline’s devious plans.

“She does seem like the kind of woman who wants to be the only lady of the house. She will rule the roost in her marriage; make no mistake with that.” Evelyn seemed sympathetic as she, too sighed.

“I wouldn’t challenge her in the least if they allowed me to live with them. All I have ever wanted was to live quietly while keeping an eye on the family library. I know it’s hard to understand, especially for someone like you who married for love.” A feeling of helplessness overtook her.

“It may be hard for me to understand, Isabelle, but there are like-minded people out there. Take Lord Ashford, for instance; he certainly seems to hold the same values as you do.” The marchioness paused for a moment before cocking her head to the side. “Do you not believe in love at all?”

The question caught Isabelle off guard. “Truth be told, I did once hope for a marriage of love and understanding if nothing else, but time and observation have proven to me that things like that are rare. I would much rather spend my time in blissful spinsterhood than searching for a man that simply does not exist. Even if I did get married, I am hardly suited to a life of balls and fancy dinners.”

Evelyn’s eyes glistened with understanding as her expression softened. “I can’t say that I hope you become a spinster. I think you have much to offer a man who sees your true beauty, but I have known you long enough to know that you cannot easily be swayed … And what of Lord James? The last time we spoke, you mentioned that Miss Sedgwick was forcing you in his direction.”

The pit of Isabelle’s stomach churned at the mention of his name. “I’m hoping to put him off long enough to lose interest. A life tethered to a man like him is worse than having to marry someone like Lord Ashford and his sour countenance!”

The corner of Evelyn’s mouth curled into a pleasant smile as she held Isabelle’s gaze. “At least we know that Lord Ashford has some redeeming qualities, even if it is as an alternative to Lord James.”

“I think you may have misunderstood me.” Isabelle’s brows knitted into a frown.

“Did I?” Evelyn sat back and sipped her tea with a knowing smile.

***

“Isabelle, could you come in here for a second?” Caroline’s voice carried down the hall almost as soon as Isabelle shut the front door.

What now?

Expiration filled her lungs as she wondered if Lord James hadn’t been summoned again. It had only been two days since she had last seen him and said she was ill, but that wouldn’t deter Caroline in the slightest.

The sound of hushed voices from the parlour all but confirmed her suspicions. There was no use in lingering when her fate was sealed. If Lord James were there, she would have to simper and smile to placate them all.

Removing her coat and gloves, she placed them on the hall table before making her way towards the parlour.

It had struck her as strange when her aunt had allowed her to visit her friend, yet she hadn’t thought to question it at the time. She now realized that it may have been a foolish misconception to think that all was well.

“Come in and have a seat,” Aunt Alice instructed as soon as Isabelle entered the room.

Surprise caught her off guard when she realized that Lord James wasn’t present in the group, yet something still seemed off as she sat opposite her aunt.

The sullen and serious looks on all three faces made her pulse race as she took a deep breath and waited. Folding her hands in her lap, she waited expectantly and somewhat nervously for things to unfold.

“Is Lady Danbury well?” Richard asked after clearing his throat.

“She is; married life seems to suit her, although I can’t say that I can relate,” Isabelle answered while intertwining her fingers nervously and holding her head high as she feared what was coming.

Never had any ‘meeting’ with Miss Sedgewick gone well. It usually ended with Isabelle being thrust at some or the other suitor.

“That is good to hear.” Richard nodded and ignored her remark.

The silence that filled the air became too much for her to bear as nobody seemed to know what to say.

“Am I to guess at the reason for this meeting, or will you be telling me soon?” She looked from Caroline to her aunt, noting the sudden air of discomfort in her brother’s posture.

Aunt Alice pursed her lips in displeasure before looking at Caroline. “We have some news.”

The pit of Isabelle’s stomach knotted as her palms began to sweat. Either Lord James had voiced his displeasure with her behaviour and had given up on her, or something terrible was about to unfold.

The look of triumph in Caroline’s watery grey eyes made Isabelle think that it was the latter. “You are to be married. Isn’t that wonderful news?”

A feeling of being drenched with a bucket of ice ran down her spine.

How?

She thought back to the last meeting with Lord James and wondered how things had escalated so quickly. Had he not seen how unwilling she was to become his wife, or did it simply not matter to him how she felt?

Clearing his throat, Richard drew her from her thoughts. “Lord James paid us a visit in your absence. He was so concerned about your well-being that he didn’t want us to disturb you.”

“Isn’t that considerate of him, given the fact that you weren’t here? I am given to understand that you weren’t at all well the last time we arranged a visit.” Caroline raised an eyebrow and drew her lips into a thin line of disapproval.

“Lord James asked for your hand in marriage, and I accepted. We shall wait for a reasonable amount of time so as not to leave room for gossip or speculation, but you will be married in due time.” Richard sounded almost apologetic regardless of his harsh words.

Isabelle’s throat suddenly felt dry as she attempted to swallow.

How can this be happening?

Everything seemed to move in slow motion as her family’s voices faded into the background. It didn’t make sense to her. How could a man ask for her hand in marriage, and that was all it took? She suddenly realized that she had been labouring under the false assumption that her wishes would be respected.

I am not in control of my own story.

She felt a little queasy as she pressed her fist against her stomach.

“Surely this isn’t coming as a shock to you. We have been telling you for months that you should marry.” Caroline held her head high, speaking down to Isabelle.

“We, or do you mean you?” Isabelle lifted her gaze and looked at Caroline after glancing at her brother.

A veiled expression fell over Richard’s face as he avoided her gaze.

“I am only doing what is right for my future family, including you.” Caroline narrowed her eyes, openly challenging Isabelle to defy her. “I cannot be known as the sister-in-law of a spinster.”

“Yes, I can see how that would be the worst thing in the world for you. Poor Miss Sedgewick and lowly sister-in-law-to-be. How ever will your reputation recover if I do not marry?” Anger raced through her veins as heat filled Isabelle’s cheeks.

Caroline glared at her, narrowing her brows. “We will never find out, will we? Since you are to be married. The question in itself is a moot point.”

“This is right, Isabelle. Lord James is a good man. You will be well looked after under his care. I will warn you that you must learn to curb your words and not speak your mind. Lord James will not suffer a disobedient wife,” Aunt Alice intervened when the atmosphere between Caroline and Isabelle became too intense.

Taking a deep breath, Isabelle stood and fought against the urge to faint. There was no feigning illness this time. The nausea and light-headedness that flowed through her body was only too real.

“Sit down; we are not done talking,” Aunt Alice snapped at her.

Regaining her voice, Isabelle stood her ground and lifted her head. “Oh, but I think we are. My presence does not seem to be required here when my future is being discussed.” Her fingers curled into fists at her sides before she gathered the strength to leave.

“You can’t just walk out on this discussion!” Caroline jumped to her feet and attempted to stand in her way when Aunt Alice silenced her.

“Ler her go, Miss Sedgewick. Isabelle knows very well that she has no choice in the matter. I will allow her a few days to process the news.” Her aunt’s voice followed her down the hall.

Making her way up the stairs, Isabelle realized that she was privy to a story she hadn’t anticipated despite all the evidence. She wasn’t a heroine on an adventure to save herself from marriage. She was the sad and unfortunate maiden in a damned tragedy.