Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Daniel slouched in the corner of the dimly lit tavern, nursing his drink. The lively chatter and clinking of glasses around him seemed distant, muffled by the fog of his own troubled thoughts. The sounds might have been annoying to him, but at least he was not being forced to participate in the Season anymore.

He was done with all of that. All of the dancing and the false conversations. Never again.

Henry and Barrett sat across from him, their faces etched with concern. They had dragged him out of his self-imposed isolation, determined to lift his spirits, but Daniel knew they were fighting a losing battle. The past weeks had been a blur of scandal and doubt, and the absence of Isabella had left a gaping void in his life.

Henry leaned forward, trying to catch Daniel's eye. "Daniel, you have been like this for days. What happened?"

"It is…" Daniel shook his head sadly. "It is a mess inside my home. You know what has been said in the scandal sheets."

"About the maid stealing from you?"

Daniel nodded. "Right. Isabella…who is also the woman that I rescued from the attacker before."

Barrett shook his head. "But it said in the scandal sheets that she conspired with the attacker. Is that true?"

Daniel clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "No, it is not true. Isabella would never conspire with anyone. She is not like that. At least…I do not think so."

Henry and Barrett exchanged worried glances.

Barrett leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "Then why did the scandal sheets say so? How did you react?"

Daniel's shoulders slumped further, the weight of his guilt almost too much to bear. "I did not want to believe it, but I accused her of stealing it. But then, a necklace was found in her pocket, and my mother's jewels are gone...I panicked. I accused her without thinking. I let my emotions get the better of me, and now...now she has gone."

"So…what now?" Henry asked. "Can you not just ask her to work for you again, if that is what you want?"

"It is more than just work now…" Daniel confessed. He allowed his mouth to keep on speaking, even though he knew that was probably not the best idea. All he wanted to do was have someone's advice at long last. "I have feelings for her. Feelings I should not have, given our difference in station. But I cannot help it. Isabella means more to me than I ever realized."

Henry frowned. "Daniel, if there is even a possibility that she could be involved in such things, maybe it is best to keep your distance. You cannot afford more scandal."

Barrett nodded in agreement. "And she is just a maid. You cannot let yourself get too attached. It is not proper."

"She is not just a maid to me."

"Come on, Daniel," Barrett urged, leaning forward. "You cannot keep doing this to yourself. There are plenty of other women out there."

Henry nodded in agreement. "He is right, you know. You need to get back out there, show everyone that you are not affected by the rumors. Besides, Isabella…"

"Isabella," Daniel interrupted, his voice hoarse, "is not just another woman. She is...she was everything to me." He stared into his glass, the amber liquid blurring his vision. "And I let her go."

Henry and Barrett exchanged a glance, the unspoken understanding passing between them. Henry leaned forward, his tone softer. "Why is she so important to you, Daniel? What is it about her that makes you feel this way?"

Daniel took a deep breath, the confession heavy on his heart. "Isabella...she cared about me despite knowing I cannot have children. She accepted me for who I am, flaws and all. She did not care about my inability to continue my family line. She saw me, the real me, and she still cared."

Henry's eyes widened in surprise. "You cannot have children? Why did you never tell us?"

Barrett looked equally shocked. "Daniel, that is...we had no idea."

Daniel nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know. It is not something I share lightly. But Isabella knew, and she did not turn away. She embraced it. And now, because of my foolishness, she is gone. How can I ever make that right?"

Henry leaned back, thoughtful. "Perhaps start by finding the truth. Clear her name. Show her that you believe in her, that you trust her. It will not be easy, but it is a start."

Barrett nodded. "And you will have to be prepared to face the consequences, both socially and personally. But if she truly means that much to you, it will be worth it."

It all sounded like a long road ahead of him, but he knew that for Isabella it would be worth it. Right now, he could not envision a life without Isabella, she was the only person who had made him feel that way. If it were not her, then it would be no one.

After slugging back the rest of his drink, Daniel decided to leave the tavern early, the oppressive atmosphere becoming too much to bear. He needed to be home, not in the bar. It was not working out for him at all.

As he walked through the quiet streets, his thoughts drifted back to the night he first met Isabella. His footsteps echoed in the narrow alleyway, the very place he currently found himself, and he paused, the memory of that night flooding back.

The words from the attack—pleas for help, the sound of her voice—resonated in his mind and guilt flooded him all over again. That moment had changed his life, he just had not realized it at the time.

If only he could go back to that moment, to start again, then he could change everything.

A coughing sound caught his attention. His gaze fell on a figure huddled against the wall, and as he approached, he recognized the man from that night.

The man stirred, blinking up at him with weary eyes. "What do you want?" he mumbled, his voice rough.

Was it?

Could it be?

The closer Daniel got to the man, the more obvious it became.

This was him . The attacker from that night.

Perhaps he could not go back to that exact moment, but this might change things…

Daniel's heart pounded in his chest as he approached the huddled figure. This was his chance to uncover the truth, to clear Isabella's name. At least in his own mind. He crouched down, his voice firm but low.

"You," he said, trying to keep his emotions in check, "I remember you."

The man looked up, his eyes widening with recognition. "You," he echoed, a hint of fear in his voice.

"Why did you do it?" Daniel demanded. "Why did you attack Isabella that day? The lady…the one with the necklace."

The man coughed, looking away. "I was desperate. I needed money, and her jewels would have fetched a good price. You probably would not understand that. How could you? You have never been desperate in your life."

Now that was something Daniel could not argue, but it was not important to what he needed to know.

"Have you robbed other women?" Daniel pressed, trying to understand the pattern.

The man shook his head vigorously. "No, I swear it. I only did it because I was starving. I had not eaten in days. I did not know who she was. I just saw an opportunity and took it. I did not even get the necklace."

Daniel's mind raced. "You did not know her?" he asked again, needing to be sure. "The woman that you stole from?"

"No," the man insisted. "Of course not. I am not a monster. I would not steal from someone I know. But then, I do not know any wealthy people."

Daniel scrutinized the man, searching for any signs of deception. But all he saw was a worn, desperate figure, a man who had been driven to crime out of necessity rather than malice. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a few coins, handing them to the man.

"Take this," Daniel said quietly. "Get yourself something to eat."

The man looked at the money with wide eyes, his voice shaky with gratitude. "Thank you, sir. Thank you."

Daniel stood up, the encounter leaving him with more questions than answers. He had a new determination, though, and a sense of purpose. As he walked away, he felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps he could still make things right. He just needed to work out how to make everyone else understand what he had learned.

***

Back at home, Daniel was greeted by Michael at the door. Michael's usually composed demeanor was replaced with a sense of urgency. That spiked Daniel's already burning anxiety. It had been one hell of a night.

"Lord Berkshire," Michael said, his voice a mix of relief and tension. "We found your mother's necklace. I could not wait to tell you. I know how heavily it has been weighing on your mind."

Daniel's heart skipped a beat. "Where? How?"

Michael stepped aside, revealing a red-faced Margaret standing behind him. She looked down, unable to meet Daniel's eyes. "Margaret came to me tonight, and I think she has something to say to you."

"Margaret," Daniel said, surprise and confusion mingling in his voice. "What is going on?"

He blinked a few times, wishing he had not had so much to drink tonight. He had no idea it was going to be so heavy.

Margaret took a deep breath, her voice trembling. "I...I have something to confess, sir. I was jealous of Isabella. She got extra attention and did not have to work as hard as the rest of us. It felt unfair. So, when Lady Marie offered me money to help her, I did. I ‘misplaced' the necklace. I did not steal it. I just wanted her to get into trouble, but I did not realize it would get this out of hand. It got so out of hand that I did not know how to make things right."

Daniel felt a surge of anger and disappointment. "You framed her? Do you have any idea what you have done?"

Tears welled up in Margaret's eyes. "I know, sir. I have felt nothing but guilt since then. I did not know how to make things right. I cannot apologize enough."

Daniel's mind raced. This revelation changed everything. Isabella was innocent of everything, and her name had been unjustly tarnished because of petty jealousy. From Lady Marie and Margaret as well. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions within him.

"You should have come forward sooner," he said sternly. "But now I need to find a way to make this right."

"I know where Isabella is," Michael insisted. "If that helps. She is staying at the orphanage again."

Daniel nodded slowly. "I will see Isabella. Of course I will see Isabella, but first I need to clear her name. Unfortunately, it is too late to do that now. I shall have to take the relevant steps in the morning. I will have to sleep and to do this with a clear head in the morning. The hour is not right to get anything positive done."

It was stressful, he was not sure how long he was going to actually be able to sleep with his head all in a whirlwind tonight. But at least he had made some progress tonight, which was more than he thought possible. He now could make things right…as long as Isabella did not completely hate him for everything that he had done.

***

The sun filtered through the heavy drapes of Daniel's bedroom. He had managed only a few hours of restless sleep, his mind plagued with thoughts of Isabella and the revelations of the previous night. He rose slowly, the weight of his task ahead pressing down on him. Today, he needed to see Lady Marie and clear everything up once and for all.

Daniel dressed with care, his movements precise and deliberate. As he adjusted his cravat in the mirror, he felt a renewed sense of determination. He could not afford any more mistakes. Isabella's future depended on his actions, and he had to ensure that justice was served.

When he descended the grand staircase, Michael was already waiting for him at the bottom. "The carriage awaits, just as you requested."

"Thank you, Michael. It is the day to set everything right."

Michael nodded, but before Daniel could turn to leave, Michael spoke again, his tone uncharacteristically hesitant. "Lord Berkshire, if I may speak candidly?"

Daniel paused, turning back to his loyal servant. "Of course, Michael. What is on your mind?"

Michael took a deep breath, his usual composure slightly faltering. "I wanted to say that I much prefer having Miss Isabella around. She brings a sense of warmth and kindness to the household that was sorely missing. It has been a joy to see you so happy in her presence. We all noticed the change in you."

Daniel smiled, his gratitude evident. "Thank you, Michael. I could not agree more. Isabella has brought light into my life, and I have no intention of letting her go again."

With that, Daniel stepped into the carriage alone, Michael giving him a supportive nod as he departed. The journey to the Montgomery estate was filled with a tense silence, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on Daniel's mind. As he arrived, Daniel took a deep breath, steeling himself for the confrontation ahead.

Things had been troublesome with Lady Marie. She had clearly been trying to get Daniel's attention in all the worst ways, and now she was going to have to learn that was not the right way to behave. That would not work for anyone. Especially not when she had worked so hard to ruin Isabella.

The carriage rolled to a stop in front of the Montgomery estate, the imposing facade looming ahead like a storm cloud on the horizon. Daniel stepped out, his resolve firm despite the swirling emotions within him. He approached the grand entrance, each step echoing on the polished stone.

It was time.

A butler greeted him at the door, bowing deeply. "Lord Berkshire, welcome."

"I am here to request an audience with Lady Marie Montgomery."

The butler nodded and led Daniel inside. Daniel followed the butler through the opulent halls. The walls were adorned with portraits of stern-faced ancestors, their eyes seeming to follow him as he passed. He could not shake the feeling of being judged, not just by the past but by the weight of his own actions.

Finally, they arrived at a sitting room. As the staff dispersed, Daniel took a moment to compose himself. He walked to the large windows, looking out at the sprawling gardens. The serenity of the view was at odds with the turmoil within him. He took a deep breath, centering himself for what was to come.

The door opened quietly, and Lady Marie entered the room, her smile radiant.

"Lord Berkshire," she greeted, her voice laced with a warmth that made him uneasy. "I was delighted when I heard you were here. To what do I owe this visit?"

Daniel turned to face her, maintaining a polite but guarded expression. "Lady Marie, we need to talk about Isabella."

Marie's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "Isabella? Whatever for?"

"It has all been lies, has it not?"

"What…" She shifted uncomfortably on her feet. "What has been lies?"

"Everything that you have been saying about her. Everything that you have been saying to the scandal sheets."

"I have not…"

"Do not lie to me, Lady Marie." Daniel was exasperated. "I know that she did not conspire with her attacker. I know that she did not steal from you."

Marie's face hardened. "But I have been missing necklaces ever since she worked here."

"Including this one?" Daniel placed the heart-gemmed necklace on the table in front of her.

Marie gasped. "Yes…that is the one. Where did you find it?"

He scoffed. "As if you do not already know. I am sure you planted it on Isabella."

"So, Isabella had it?" she snapped, satisfied. "So nothing I have said is a lie."

"Aside from the fact that I know you bribed a maid of mine."