Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Isabella's heart pounded in her chest as she made her way to the library, the summons from Daniel still fresh in her mind. She had been cleaning the dining room, trying to keep a low profile as the worry gripped her hard. When Michael had discreetly passed on Daniel's message, her curiosity and apprehension grew.

Had he already been to see Lady Marie? If so, what had happened?

As she entered the dimly lit library, the rich scent of leather and old books enveloped her. Daniel stood by one of the tall windows, the evening light casting a warm glow on his handsome features. He turned as she entered, his blue eyes softening when they met hers.

"Isabella," he greeted, his voice a gentle rumble that seemed to ease some of her nerves.

"My lord," she replied, curtsying slightly. "You wished to see me?"

Daniel stepped closer, his expression earnest. "I have news that I hope will bring you some relief. I managed to return the necklace to Lady Marie this morning."

Isabella's eyes widened. "Oh my…how did she take it? What did you tell her?"

"It was a fortunate encounter," he explained with a small smile playing on his lips. "I recognized the necklace in the possession of a man who clearly did not come by it honestly. After some inquiries, I traced it back to Lady Marie."

Relief washed over Isabella, but she could not help the lingering doubt. "Do you think this will clear my name?"

"I can only hope so."

Isabella went to take a step back, but it seemed like Daniel was not done with her as yet.

"Before you leave…I wanted to share something with you," he said, gesturing for her to join him at a nearby table. "You mentioned your interest in literature during our walk. I thought you might enjoy borrowing a few of my favorite books."

Isabella's eyes widened in surprise and delight. She was most certainly not expecting that . "That is very kind of you, my lord. I would love that."

Daniel's eyes lit up with her response, and he moved to a nearby shelf, his fingers brushing over the spines of several well-worn volumes. He selected a few books and placed them gently on the table before her.

"These are some of my favorites," he said, his voice warm with enthusiasm. "I thought you might enjoy them."

Isabella looked at the titles, her heart swelling with gratitude. She reached out to touch one of the books, her fingers trembling slightly. "Thank you, my lord. This means more to me than you know."

"Please, call me Daniel," he insisted gently. "We are friends, are we not?"

Her cheeks flushed at his words. "Yes, Daniel. Thank you."

Isabella's heart raced at the sound of his name on her lips. Calling him Daniel felt simultaneously wrong and so very right. There was an undeniable chemistry between them, a magnetic pull she could not ignore.

He picked up one of the books and smiled at her. "There is a love that burns brighter than the sun, a love that defies reason and transcends time. It is a love that finds its way through the darkest nights, guiding two souls to each other despite all obstacles."

Was Daniel actually reading to her? In a voice that seemed to make her heart pound like crazy.

"In the stillness of the forest, where the leaves whispered secrets to the wind, they met. Two hearts that had long been searching, now beating in unison. Their love was a beacon, a light that could not be dimmed by the shadows of the world."

Isabella's breath caught in her throat. The words were beautiful, and Daniel's voice imbued them with a resonance that made her heart ache with longing.

Daniel turned the page, continuing to read with a soft intensity. "They stood beneath the canopy of stars, the night sky a vast expanse of endless possibilities. In that moment, they knew that their love was not of this earth, but of the stars themselves. It was a love written in the constellations, a love that would endure for all eternity."

"Oh my." Isabella clutched her hand to her chest. "That was beautiful."

Daniel closed the book gently, his eyes meeting Isabella's with a warmth that seemed to fill the entire room. "I am glad you enjoyed it. This story has always resonated with me."

Isabella smiled, feeling a rush of emotions. "It is truly beautiful, Daniel. The way you read it...it felt like the words came to life."

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the air between them charged with unspoken feelings. Isabella felt as if time had stopped, the world outside the library fading into insignificance.

Just as she was about to speak, the sound of a clock chiming the hour broke the spell. Daniel glanced at the clock, a flicker of regret passing over his face. "I am afraid I must attend a ball this evening. The Season awaits…"

Isabella's heart sank a little, but she forced a smile. "Of course. Duty calls."

She did not like the idea of Daniel being involved with the Season, which was meant for the wealthy to find suitable partners. She did not like the idea of Daniel finding someone, but what could she do? It was not like he would ever really be able to look at her.

Daniel stood, his expression apologetic. "I wish I could stay here with you, Isabella. But I must go."

She nodded. "I understand, Daniel. Do not worry, you have left me with a lot of reading to do!"

Daniel's expression softened as he looked at her, a touch of something mysterious in his eyes. "I am glad to hear that, Isabella. I hope these stories bring you as much joy as they have brought me."

He hesitated for a moment, as if he wanted to say more, but then he sighed and turned to leave. "I will see you soon. Please take care."

As he walked out of the library, Isabella's stomach ached.

Once he was gone, the library seemed quieter, the shadows longer. Isabella sat down at the table, her fingers brushing the spines of the books Daniel had left for her. She picked up the one he had been reading from and opened it to the page where he had stopped. The words seemed to glow with a new significance, their meaning deepened by the memory of his voice.

As Isabella read, she found herself lost in the world of the story, the characters and their struggles mirroring her own hopes and fears. The hero's quest for love and acceptance resonated deeply with her, and she could not help but think of Daniel and their shared moments.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice the sound of approaching footsteps until a voice broke her reverie.

"Enjoying the book?"

Isabella looked up, startled, to see Michael standing in the doorway, a friendly smile on his face.

"Michael," she said, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I did not hear you come in."

"My apologies for interrupting," Michael said, stepping into the room. "I just finished my duties for the evening and thought I might find you here."

Isabella closed the book gently, a smile tugging at her lips. "It is quite all right. I was just...thinking."

"About…?"

Isabella pursed her lips tightly together. She did not want to tell the truth and make this more complicated than it already was. "About the orphanage I grew up in…"

Michael's smile softened, and he pulled up a chair to sit across from her. "I do not know much about your past. You grew up in an orphanage?"

Isabella hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "Yes, it is where I spent most of my childhood. It was not easy, but it shaped who I am today."

"You know, I come from humble beginnings too."

Isabella's curiosity piqued. "Really? Tell me more. I do not know enough about you either."

It was nice to have a distraction from her thoughts and feelings, and also to find a friend in another.

"I grew up in a small village, the son of a blacksmith. My family did not have much, but we made do. When I was old enough, I decided to seek work in the city and eventually found my way to the earl's service."

Isabella listened intently, feeling a kinship with Michael. "It must have been difficult, leaving your family and everything you knew."

Michael nodded. "It was. But I knew I had to make a better life for myself. And I have been fortunate to serve a man like Daniel. He is a good employer, not like some."

Isabella smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest. "I can tell he is a good man. He has been nothing but kind to me since I arrived."

Michael nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yes, he is. He sees people for who they truly are, not just their social standing. That is a rare quality."

Isabella sighed softly. "It is a quality that I am very grateful for. I just hope that Lady Marie sees it, too."

Michael's brow furrowed slightly. "What happened with Lady Marie? If you do not mind me asking."

"She accused me of theft, after forcing me to swap clothing with her. I was robbed because I was in fancy clothing."

Michael's eyes widened in shock. "She accused you of theft after that? That is terrible, Isabella."

Isabella nodded, the memory still fresh and painful. "Yes, it was a humiliating experience. But thankfully, I was given a chance to work here."

"Thank goodness," Michael laughed. "It is good to have you here. You have been a great addition to the house. Miss Jenkins and the kitchen staff think so, as do Margaret and the other maids."

Isabella could not help but smile. She really did want to fit in here, she wanted a sense of family, and she wanted it to be here so that Daniel could be proud of her.