Chapter 10

Chapter 10

As Daniel walked back toward the manor, he felt a lingering warmth from his conversation with Isabella. The sunlight filtering through the garden cast a golden hue over the roses, but it was the clarity of their exchange that truly illuminated his thoughts.

Isabella's genuine curiosity, her practical wisdom, and the spark in her eyes when she spoke made him see her in a different light. She was not just another maid; she was someone remarkable.

Just as he had suspected when he very first saw her…although he had thought her a lady at the time.

He replayed their conversation in his mind. The way she listened intently, asked thoughtful questions, and shared her own experiences. It was refreshing and grounding. In her presence, he felt more like a person than a title. His thoughts wandered to the possibility that perhaps, in her, he had found someone who could understand him on a deeper level.

This was the sort of person he had envisioned himself meeting.

But she was not a lady, and not someone that he would be permitted to court, which left him wondering what on earth he should do next.

Pausing at the entrance to the manor, Daniel turned to look back at the garden. There she was, standing by the rose bushes, watching him leave. A soft breeze tousled her hair, and the sun cast a halo around her. For a brief moment, their eyes met across the distance, and he saw something in her gaze that mirrored his own feelings—a sense of connection and curiosity.

Could it be possible? he wondered.

Could this young woman, with her kind heart and sharp mind, be the person he had been searching for?

Because he did not currently have an answer, he headed inside and took a seat in his study, trying to lose himself in his work instead…

***

Later in the afternoon, as Daniel headed toward the dining room for dinner, he was surprised to find Isabella standing near one of the windows, reading a letter. Her expression was fraught, like she had something heavy on her mind. Immediately, all Daniel wanted to do was help her.

"Isabella," he called out, approaching her. "What is wrong?"

Startled, she looked up, her brow furrowing with worry. She folded up the letter rapidly. "I am sorry, it is nothing, I was just…"

But he could hear the crack in her voice, so he raised an unconvinced eyebrow. "You know that you can talk to me."

"It is the necklace…Lady Marie's. I do not know how to return it when she has such a hatred for me."

Daniel felt indignant on Isabella's behalf. "She still thinks that you are the one who stole it?" She nodded. "Then why not let me return it for you? I can ensure that Lady Marie knows you did nothing wrong."

Isabella hesitated, glancing at the letter in her hand before looking back at Daniel. "I do not want to trouble you. You have already done so much."

"It is no trouble at all," he assured her, taking a step closer. "I want to help. You do not deserve to carry this burden alone."

She sighed, the weight of her worry visible in her posture. "Thank you. I just do not know how to make her see the truth."

"I will do what I can to help you," he said firmly. "And I will do it in a way that causes no scene. You have my word."

"I appreciate it more than you know."

"Leave it to me. I shall take care of everything."

Their eyes locked in an intense, lingering gaze. The world around them seemed to fade away. His heart raced with an excitement that he simply could not control.

There were so many things that he wanted to do in that moment, but he knew he should not. He did not wish to over complicate anything…

Daniel's thoughts swirled with conflicting emotions. His mind screamed caution, but his heart urged him forward. He took a small, hesitant step closer to Isabella, the air between them thick with unspoken words and unacknowledged feelings.

Should he be doing this?

Probably not, but every time he drew closer to Isabella, he could not help it.

Especially when she was staring at him with such wide, intriguing eyes…

"My lord!" came a voice from down the hall, cutting through the tension like a knife.

Daniel turned to see Margaret approaching briskly. "Dinner is served."

He edged backward rapidly, noticing Isabella doing the same.

He nodded sharply, knowing that as frustrating as it was, this was likely for the best. Much as he wanted more, he knew that it was not a good idea. He had to walk away from her and give himself time to get his thoughts in order so he did not make a mistake that both he and Isabella would come to regret forever.

Not that he could ever imagine regretting kissing her…

***

Daniel did not waste time.

As soon as he woke up, he dressed ready to head to Lady Marie's home. The sooner he could help make things right for Isabella, the better.

He hoped his intervention would clear Isabella's name and ease her burden, but he also knew he needed the distraction to sort through his own swirling emotions. He had spent all night long thinking about Isabella, and dreaming of her too. He truly did not know what to do with himself.

As he rode through the countryside toward Lady Marie's estate, the morning sun casting long shadows across the fields, his thoughts were a jumble of determination and longing. The memory of Isabella's eyes, filled with gratitude and something more, haunted him. The more time that he spent with her, the more his heart ached for her, and yet he could not keep away.

As he arrived at the grand estate, he took a moment to collect himself before being shown into the parlor, where Lord Montgomery waited to greet him.

"My lord," Lord Montgomery greeted him warmly. "What brings you to our humble home so early?"

Daniel smiled, producing the necklace from his coat pocket. "I came across this necklace recently. I noticed a man holding it in a manner that raised my suspicions. It was too fine an item for him to possess, so I took it upon myself to investigate its origins. After some inquiries, I learned it belonged to Lady Marie. I believe it has been taken from her, and I wish to return it."

Lord Montgomery's eyes widened as he took the necklace from Daniel. "This is indeed Lady Marie's! My daughter did not even tell me it was missing."

Interesting…

"Perhaps she did not wish to worry you."

Lord Montgomery nodded, but with confusion in his eyes. "Yes, well thank you for this. I appreciate you being the one who managed to get a hold of it."

"It was simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time," Daniel replied modestly. "I am pleased to see it returned to its rightful owner."

"My lord, you have our deepest gratitude," Lord Montgomery said earnestly. "Please, stay for a while. Lady Marie will be eager to thank you herself."

Daniel hesitated, unsure if he wanted to see Lady Marie. He had not anticipated staying long, but he knew it would be impolite to refuse. Moreover, facing Lady Marie might provide an opportunity to subtly advocate for Isabella.

"Of course," he replied with a nod. "I would be honored to stay."

Lord Montgomery led Daniel to the drawing room, where the rich decor and elegant furnishings highlighted the wealth of the family. Daniel's thoughts wandered momentarily to Isabella, trying to imagine her working in such an opulent environment. It seemed unfathomable that someone as kind and genuine as she could be accused of theft here.

A few moments later, Lady Marie entered the room. She was a striking woman with an air of confidence and poise that commanded attention. Upon seeing the necklace in her father's hand, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Lady Marie," Lord Montgomery began, "the Earl of Duncaster has returned your necklace. It appears it was stolen."

Lady Marie's gaze shifted to Daniel, a mixture of surprise and gratitude in her eyes. "I…well, thank you very much." She swallowed hard. "I did not notice it gone."

"You should have!" her father snapped at her. "It is not good for you to lose something so precious."

Daniel offered a polite smile, hoping to ease the tension a little. "I am pleased to have been of assistance, Lady Marie. It is fortunate that I came across it before it was lost forever."

Lady Marie looked at the necklace, then back at Daniel. "You have my sincere thanks. Please, allow me to offer you some refreshment as a token of our appreciation."

Daniel inclined his head. "That would be most kind, Lady Marie."

As they moved to the seating area, Daniel felt a pang of discomfort. He was here for Isabella's sake, yet he found himself engaging in polite conversation with the very person who had wronged her. Still, he knew this was a necessary step.

As they settled around the ornate table, Lady Marie rang for tea. The delicate clinking of china filled the room as a maid brought in a silver tea service. Marie poured the tea herself, her fingers deft and elegant, as she tried to engage Daniel in conversation.

"I must say, Lord Berkshire," Marie began, her voice soft and melodic, "I am grateful for your keen eye and bravery. It is not every day one encounters such valor."

Daniel smiled politely, but his thoughts were elsewhere. With Isabella, and the moment that he wanted to kiss her…again. Would he ever be able to move on from that moment?

"You are too kind, Lady Marie," he replied. "I simply did what anyone would have done in my position."

Marie's eyes sparkled as she leaned closer. "Not everyone would have taken the trouble to return the necklace personally. It speaks volumes about your character."

Her eyes were firmly on him and Daniel could sense the predatory nature of her gaze. It seemed like she was interested in him. That was not what Daniel had come here for, he needed to change the subject quickly.

"Tell me, Lady Marie, how have you been occupying your time this Season?"

"Oh, the usual," she replied with a dismissive wave. "Balls, dinners, and social calls. Although I must admit, they have all seemed rather dull as of late."

"I am sure that as the Season continues, you will find a way to enjoy yourself," Daniel said, trying to maintain his polite demeanor.

"Yes, I think you might be right about that," Marie responded, her gaze lingering on Daniel's face. "Will you be attending the ball this evening, my lord? It promises to be the highlight of the Season. I wonder if it shall live up to that."

"Yes, I will be attending," he answered, trying to smile as much as he could.

Marie's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Wonderful! I look forward to seeing you there. I am sure it will be a lot of fun. Especially on the dance floor…"

Daniel managed a polite smile. "As do I, Lady Marie."

He did not wish to attend the ball; he would have much preferred to spend the evening with Isabella, but of course, that was dangerous territory. He also knew that his presence would be expected at the ball. People might talk if he was not there, and the last thing he wanted was to be the subject of gossip.

But the way Lady Marie was eyeing him spiked his anxiety. He had not wanted to draw her attention his way. How on earth was he going to ensure that she was not so intrigued by him that she got her parents involved in some wild match-making scheme? That was the last thing that Daniel needed.