Page 10 of A Widowed Earl’s Chance at Love (Whispers of Regency Love)
Chapter 10
Henry sat at the back of the Evergreen, reading the note he’d unexpectedly received that morning. He’d never paid much attention to letters and invitations to off-season balls, yet his interest had been piqued when the butler had handed him the note.
Unfolding the little slip of paper, he allowed his eyes to wander over the slanted words.
Dear Lord Ashford,
If you wish to know more about the helpless maiden and the troubles that plague her, I shall be at the Evergreen this afternoon at three. If you do not wish to meet me there, then I shall assume that you have been taken away by some fairies and let the matter rest.
PS. I have told my aunt that I wish to choose a book for the maiden’s betrothed.
Yours truly,
Miss Isabelle Sutton.
The corners of his mouth hooked into a smile as he folded the note and placed it back into his breast pocket. The butler had mentioned rather disapprovingly that the maid delivering the note had been rather discreet, yet the clandestine nature of the matter had only proved to pique his interest.
“Lord Ashford,” Miss Sutton curtsied as she reached the table.
Henry had been so focused on the letter that he hadn’t heard the gentle tinkling of the bell above the door. Clearing his throat, he stood and bowed, noting the look of displeasure on Lady Sinclair’s face. He had been hoping for a different chaperone, but the sour-faced old prude was better than not seeing Miss Sutton at all.
Gesturing to the empty chair, Henry took his seat again and signalled for the girl behind the counter to bring them some tea.
Miss Sutton smiled politely at him, ignoring the grunt of displeasure that her aunt gave her when she realized that the only other chair had been placed a few steps away by a single table.
“I hope you don’t mind, Lady Sinclair, but there wasn’t enough space at this little table. I thought you might like to read a book while Miss Sutton and I discuss the ones that I have chosen.” He gestured to the stacks of books on the table that almost partially blocked them from view.
Pursing her lips, Lady Sinclair approached the table and sat, eyeing them both with suspicion. “I shall be quite comfortable listening from here.” She emphasized the listening as she settled her skirts.
Exchanging a smile, Isabelle and Henry settled down just as the tea was placed before them on the table.
“So, Miss Sutton, you mentioned more troubles. Am I to take it that the maiden has not been able to escape her problems? Please do elaborate on the matter.” He smiled at her from across the table and noted the slight blush in her cheeks.
“Well, it would seem that there are far more circumstances than the maiden was aware of. The maiden was forced to sit through an endless dinner where she was almost bored to death by her captors’ choice of guests.” She heaved a sigh and reached for the pot, pouring each a cup with graceful movements.
“Captors? Is the maiden being held somewhere against her will in the novel?” Henry raised an eyebrow in amusement as he watched her closely. The delicate manner in which she moved intrigued him. She could be feisty and outspoken but never missed a beat when it came to carrying herself in public.
“Yes, she is being held as a captive by two members of the fairy’s royal court and one … ogre that guards her every move.” She finished pouring the tea and sat back.
Henry’s eyes danced with amusement as he watched her flushed cheeks.
“The dinner in question was a thoughtless ploy to get the maiden to accept the evil prince. She obliged begrudgingly when all seemed to be working against her.” The slight shake of her head and slump of her shoulders conveyed her exasperation with the matter.
“I thought you were reading a tragedy. It’s sounding more and more like a fairytale to me,” he teased her gently before sipping his tea.
Lifting her chin defiantly, she glared at him over the rim of her cup. “Have you never heard of a tragic fairy tale, Lord Ashford?”
“I can’t say I have, but I am interested in hearing how it ends. Please do continue.” He nodded encouragingly.
“Well, the capricious prince held her captive all evening at dinner while the rest of the masked guests pestered her with silly questions regarding propriety.” Her eyes darkened slightly as she glanced to the side. “The only solace of the evening was the fact that the guard had made other plans; otherwise, I think the maiden would have had to suffer far greater consequences for speaking her mind.”
Suppressing a chuckle, Henry lowered his cup. “You mean the ogre?”
“Of course, I mean the ogre. Did I not mention that the maiden’s guard was the ogre?” She narrowed her eyes at him.
“You most certainly did. I was just making sure. Please continue with the maiden’s defiant statements; you didn’t mention what they were.” He barely hid his smirk as the annoyance danced in her eyes.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she leaned back in her chair and rolled her eyes. “Are you critiquing my storytelling?”
Henry shook his head quickly. “I would never dream of doing such a thing. I was merely adding clarity to the narrative.”
“Well, don’t.” She seethed a little before unfolding her arms. Her body language seemed to relax a little as she let out a breath. “Like I was saying, the evening proved to be quite tedious until the end when the vile prince took liberties with the maiden. She would have walloped him right over the head if hadn’t been for a question of her family’s honour.”
Henry’s body suddenly froze as his brow creased into a frown of concern. “What do you mean that the prince took liberties with the maiden?” His tone was low and concerned as he examined her face. It was all well and good if they were talking about her life in code, but if something had happened to her, then he wasn’t about to idly sit by and let it slide.
Isabelle stiffened as her eyes darkened, and she pursed her lips uncomfortably. “I misspoke; it wasn’t anything serious. He simply overstepped the boundaries of propriety. It is neither here nor there now that their engagement is to be announced.” Her lips quivered slightly as she attempted to hide her sigh.
“Very well, if you are certain, but please know that it would not be unreasonable or even irregular for the maiden in question to seek help if the prince had forced himself upon her. Such things should never be taken lightly.” He fought the urge to reach across the table and touch her hand.
The subtle hint of vulnerability on her face tugged at his chest, making him want to protect her despite having only met her a few weeks prior. Something in her eyes drew him in, making him realize just how infallible he was when it came to the fairer sex.
Her demeanour seemed to change when she clammed up and sipped her tea. “You haven’t told me very much about your life, Lord Ashford. My aunt mentioned before that you are still loyal to your late wife?” She raised an eyebrow and deflected the conversation.
I can’t press her any further.
He took the hint after searching her face for a moment. “I was married for several years to a wealthy young lady. Her passing was sudden and unexpected after contracting a fever.”
Isabelle’s expression filled with surprise as she looked him in the eyes. “I am sorry to hear that; do you miss her terribly?” The question caught him off guard.
“Suffice it to say that I am content with my current situation in life. It is always sad when someone passes before their time, but one must go on with life.” He wasn’t even sure why he had answered in the manner he did, but it was too late to retract his statement when she narrowed her eyes.
“It seems like the maiden isn’t the only one living in a tragedy.” The hurt in her eyes made him regret his response.
“What are the two of you discussing?” Lady Sinclair barked at them from her table, bringing an end to their conversation.
Isabelle rolled her eyes once again and shook her head in displeasure. “We are discussing which book will best suit my fiancé, Aunt Alice. Surely such discussions are not classified as a crime?”
Lady Sinclair pursed her lips but kept her eyes fixed on them as she sipped her tea.
Wanting to alleviate the tension, Henry steered the conversation back to the maiden. “Does the maiden not have any other options other than the prince? Surely, she could have her pick of young gentlemen?”
Isabelle seemed to swallow hard as she searched his eyes. “The maiden was foolish in thinking she had more time to escape.” She glanced to the side before carrying on. “It would be easier to explain the matter if the ogre wasn’t constantly keeping watch, but the maiden has recently realized that there is more at stake than just her happiness.”
“I think I understand; the maiden and her family could be faced with ruin if she does not go ahead with the plans.” Things seemed to be falling into place as Henry chewed the inside of his cheek and considered her tale.
Nodding solemnly, Isabelle allowed her face to soften for a second as she, too chewed the inside of her cheek. “Even if the maiden considered finding a match at this point in the story, the captors would not allow any such thing. Not when the prince has threatened them with ruin.”
A moment of understanding passed between them as Henry once again resisted the urge to reach across the table and comfort her. He wished there were something he could do to offer her an escape from the terrible situation.
“I think I had better go before my aunt glares a hole into the back of your head.” Isabelle suddenly broke the moment between them and stood, knocking the pot of tea over in the process.
“Careful!” Henry jumped to his feet and gripped her wrist, holding her back before the tea could burn her hand.
A silent gasp passed between her lips as they parted while her eyes widened in shock.
The feeling of her soft skin as he moved his thumb over her wrist sent an unexpected jolt up his arm.
“What is happening here?” Lady Sinclair barked sharply, narrowing her eyes at them both as she approached the table.
Pulling back quickly, Isabelle placed her hand behind her back and blushed. “I knocked over the tea; Lord Ashton was simply keeping me from getting burned.” She seemed to be avoiding his gaze.
“I think we had better leave before you make an even bigger spectacle.” Lady Sinclair seemed to be directing her words towards Henry rather than Isabelle. Lifting her nose in the air, she sauntered towards the exit, gesturing for Isabelle to follow.
Lifting her gaze, Isabelle mouthed a farewell before lingering for a moment.
He wanted to ask when and if they would be seeing each other again, but Isabelle had already lifted the hem of her dress and rushed after her aunt.
Strange maiden indeed.
Henry lifted his hand, staring at the tips of his fingers where the heat from her skin still lingered.
Very strange maiden.