Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Daniel stood in the courtyard of the orphanage, watching the children play with Isabella and Sarah as the sun set, casting a golden glow over the scene. Laughter and shouts of joy filled the air, a stark contrast to the quiet anticipation that had hung over the Grand Palace just days ago. His heart felt lighter than it had in a long time, a buoyant sense of contentment filling his chest. He had not felt this way since the night of the masquerade ball with Isabella.

"My lord, thank you so much for your generosity," Eileen said, her voice filled with genuine gratitude as she took yet another donation from him.

Daniel turned to her, offering a warm smile. "It is my pleasure, Eileen. The children deserve the best, and I am happy to help in any way I can."

Eileen's eyes shone with appreciation. "Your latest donation will go a long way. The new toys and books are already making such a difference."

He nodded, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Specifically, they were with Isabella. Ever since the masquerade ball, he couldn't shake the memory of her in that exquisite midnight-blue gown, moving gracefully across the dance floor. She had been nervous, but she had handled herself with such poise and elegance. He felt a swell of pride just thinking about it.

He only wished that she could join him at other occasions where she did not need to hide her face.

He could feel himself falling head over heels in love with her, but he did not know what to do about it. She was his maid, which was scandalous enough, but then there was also the secret issue of his infertility.

He could not deny her the chance to have children. It was not right.

Daniel sighed, a mixture of longing and frustration swirling within him. He knew the societal implications of his feelings for Isabella. A nobleman and his maid—it was the kind of scandal that could ruin reputations and careers. But he could not deny the growing connection between them, a connection that had deepened significantly since the masquerade ball.

Once all the children were tucked into bed, their laughter and energy giving way to the calm of sleep, Eileen suggested they gather for tea. Daniel welcomed the idea, needing the warmth and comfort of a quiet moment to sort through his emotions.

Eileen bustled into the kitchen, preparing a pot of tea while Isabella and Sarah joined Daniel at the large wooden table in the common room. The room was cozy, filled with the soft glow of candles and the faint scent of lavender. The atmosphere was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the ball, but it held a warmth that Daniel cherished.

As he sat down, he noticed Michael, his footman, standing discreetly by the door. An idea crossed his mind, and he motioned for him to join them.

"Michael, join us for tea, please."

Michael looked surprised but pleased, nodding as he approached the table. "Thank you, my lord."

The conversation swirled around him, light and cheerful, but Daniel was only half listening. His thoughts kept drifting back to Isabella, her presence so close yet so far. All he really wanted to do was reach out and touch her, but he was afraid to do so.

There was still so much to be scared of…

It was not until later, on the carriage ride home, that Isabella made a comment that caught his attention.

"Sparks seemed to be flying between Michael and Sarah tonight," she said with a soft laugh.

Daniel turned to her, intrigued. "Oh? I did not notice."

Isabella smiled, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "I am surprised you did not see it. Michael was very attentive to Sarah during tea. He kept refilling her cup and asked about her work. It was quite sweet, really. It left me wondering…"

Daniel leaned back, considering her words. "I see. Michael has always been a good man, and Sarah is a dear friend to you. Perhaps there is something budding there."

Isabella nodded. "It would be nice to see them happy together. They both deserve it." Daniel nodded in agreement, but he could not ignore the way that his gut twisted up painfully. Things would be so simple for Michael and Sarah, if they wanted to find happiness in one another.

The complete opposite was true for himself and Isabella.

As the moonlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on Isabella's face, their eyes met. For a moment, the world outside ceased to exist. He saw the warmth in her eyes, the compassion that defined her very being.

It was a look that spoke volumes, more than any words could ever convey. In that shared gaze, he wished their relationship could be as straightforward as Michael and Sarah's. The longing in his heart deepened, mingled with the bittersweet realization of their impossible situation.

Daniel's heart ached with the shared understanding between them, yet the impossibility of their circumstances weighed heavily on him. As the carriage finally arrived at the estate, he helped Isabella down, their hands lingering for just a moment.

"Good night, Daniel," she said softly, her voice a tender caress that sent a shiver down his spine.

"Good night, Isabella," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

After parting ways, Daniel retreated to his study, hoping to find some solace in his collection of books. He ran his fingers along the spines, his mind still occupied by thoughts of Isabella. It was then that he stumbled upon a book he had not seen in a very long time, its cover worn and unassuming. Intrigued, he pulled it from the shelf and settled into his chair.

The Noble Heart.

Now, he could recall it. A scandalous publication that his mother used to enjoy about a lord falling in love with a maid.

It was ironic that he should stumble across it now.

Daniel traced the title with his finger, "The Noble Heart." He remembered how his mother used to read it secretly, hiding it from the disapproving eyes of high society. He opened the book, the pages yellowed with age, and began to read. The story mirrored his own life in so many ways: a nobleman falling for a maid, their love forbidden by societal norms.

Never had he felt so compelled to read something in his life…