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forty

A fter all the chaos and questions had ceased and the guests had retired to their rooms, Anthony withdrew to his study. Sophia’s threat risked ruining his family name. Gossip might go away after a while, but the Beauforts’ reputation would be soiled.

Not just his family’s reputation was at stake, but also Maiden Hill would be lost with his parents’ souls.

Isabella paced behind him. “There must be something we can do to change Sophia’s mind.”

“A von Gruner? In a few decades maybe, but the von Gruners are bloody vindictive.”

“We must talk to her again.”

He didn’t turn around when the door opened. He kept staring at the lanterns in the garden. Even without looking, he knew Grandmama had entered. The sharp sound of her heels gave her away.

“May I talk to Anthony alone?” she asked.

He shared a glance with his wife, having a hunch about what Grandmama wanted to talk about.

“Of course.” Isabella left.

There was a click when she shut the door, and he was alone with his formidable grandmother.

Her soft hand touched his shoulder. “You let me believe you were the father. You took the blame.”

“If I had told you I had no idea Isabella was with child when I married her and that I suspected Patrick was the father, you would have demanded I throw her out.”

“I’m ashamed to say you’re correct.” She sat on the armchair in a swish of silk, looking defeated for the first time. “I wasn’t fond of Isabella at first, but after the tragedy, I couldn’t help but love her. She’s a strong, compassionate woman, and she loves you. She makes you happy. You’ve changed so much since she’s been in your life. Yes, if you had told me the truth, I would have wanted her out of the house. You were brave and honourable, and I apologise for having shouted at you.”

“There’s nothing to forgive, Grandmama. I only wanted to protect Isabella.”

“From me.” She hung her head in a dispirited pose that worried him.

He held her hand. “You’ve changed as well.”

She regained some of her usual confidence. “I wished Patrick had changed, too.”

“Patrick.” He shook his head. “Once again, he caused irreparable damage.”

“Do not fear. I will give him a scold he’ll remember forever. I don’t think I can forgive him.”

“Please, Grandmama. I only want to move on. We’ll be stricter to Patrick, but no more arguments. I can’t bear them.”

She smoothed a fold on her skirt. “If anything, Patrick is distraught. Sophia broke the engagement, and the guests are already gossiping about the incident. This is a rather upsetting string of disasters, even for someone like him.”

“We must find a way to convince Sophia to stay quiet. And even if she does, I don’t think we’ll ever get Maiden Hill back.”

She rose to look out of the window next to him. “Isabella told me the secret garden is lovely. You two worked hard on it.” She tilted her head in the direction of the secret garden although it wasn’t visible from there.

“Grandfather would be proud.”

She flashed her smirk, hooking her arm through his. “Well, the easiest solution to our predicament is that she marries Patrick, as it was planned. And we might have the perfect way to make sure she says yes.”

* * *

Two days had passed since Lady Sophia had stormed out of the ball, and Sirocco House had been in a flurry of activities for Isabella. Or rather, the activities had been focused on the secret garden, and Patrick had nearly done the whole work under her directions. He’d moved heavy pots, dug, and trimmed plants relentlessly, obeying every order he’d received without complaining.

She was standing in the middle of the garden, surveying the work they had all done. Anthony, the Dowager, and Patrick paced around.

Anthony checked the orchids draping a marble bench, the Dowager studied the statues with a disapproving look, and Patrick seemed to have aged ten years.

The garden was stunning now, restored to its former glory. Colourful flowers bloomed from every corner. The statues had been scrubbed to star-brightness, and the pool was a turquoise jewel against the backdrop of the limestone rocks.

Budding red roses, pink orchids, and lilac lilies formed a scented frame for the bench next to the pool. The path to it was adorned with all the white flowers she could find, from daisies and white roses to white tulips and stars of Bethlehem. Shining terracotta pots were overflowing with scented jasmine and white orchids. If Sophia’s heart didn’t melt in front of such beauty, then she wasn’t human.

Anthony slid an arm around her waist. “Anyone would fall in love.”

She kissed him. “Even a von Gruner.”

“I think I’ve learnt my lesson,” Patrick said. “With all of you here as my witnesses, I swear I’ll change. I’ll become a different man. I caused you nothing but trouble, and I was punished, too, by losing Sophia.”

“You aren’t the only one who needs to change,” the Dowager said, wiping her hands with a handkerchief. “Anthony must stop protecting you and taking the blame for things he didn’t do. Isabella should be less naive, and I should…” She tapped her chin with a finger. “No, I can’t think of anything I need to improve.”

They laughed.

“Everything is ready,” Anthony said. “Show Sophia you love her, convince her to marry you, give us Maiden Hill back, and stop this nonsense.”

“Woo her,” Isabella said.

Patrick raked a hand through his hair. “I’m not used to wooing anyone. I’m just straightforward and say what I think.”

“And how did this strategy work for you?” Anthony asked.

“Not well, admittedly.” Patrick massaged the small of his back. “The garden is breathtaking. Thank you.”

“Have you memorised the speech you wrote?” the Dowager asked.

“Of course.” Patrick had an expression of hurt innocence.

“Then we need to get ready for Sophia.” She brushed dirt from her gown. “She should be here soon.”

They rushed back to the house, and Isabella dismissed Lawson. Since she and Anthony had already undressed each other, she meant to put that into practice.

They laughed and stole kisses while tearing at each other’s clothes before donning fresh ones. The breeze carried the salty scent of the sea mingled with that of the flowers. Her worries vanished when she was with Anthony, when they both cared for each other.

He held her by the waist and scattered kisses on her face. “If Sophia weren’t coming here, I would stay in bed with you.”

“But we have a mission.” She turned around. “Button me up.”

He obliged but gave her a kiss on the neck every time he fastened a button.

Once they were ready, they hid behind a tall hedge in the secret garden, waiting for Sophia to arrive.

The Dowager joined them, scoffing. “Why should I hide? It’s most undignified.”

“This moment is only for Patrick,” Anthony said. “It’s his mission to convince Sophia.”

“We’re only witnesses.”

The Dowager edged closer to the bush. “I can barely see anything through these leaves.”

Footsteps sounded, and Sophia came into view. Her tight burgundy dress was a stark contrast to the white flowers lining the path. The sight looked like blood on snow.

Sophia gazed around, seemingly with a lack of interest. If she found the secret garden stunning, she didn’t show it.

“What did you want to tell me?” she asked, removing her gloves with snapping gestures.

Patrick swallowed hard. “Sophia, my life has changed since I met you, and I…”

“He’s forgotten the words,” Anthony whispered. “The fool.”

“I…” Patrick stroked his chin.

The Dowager pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Yes?” Sophia’s tone was sharp.

“Hell.” Patrick ran a hand through his hair. “The truth is that I’m a shallow, despicable man.”

“What is he doing?” Isabella whispered.

“I’ve never had to work hard or take anything seriously because my elder brother has always been there for me, to protect me. I had the money and power but not the responsibility of being the next duke. Yes, I treated Isabella beastly. I’m a scoundrel, a rake, and a cheat, but I’m not lying when I say I love you. I know that because your happiness is essential to mine, because you hold my soul, and that’s the beginning and the end of my world. I want to be a better person for you, and I want you to be next to me when I make a mistake because I know you’ll help me correct my ways.”

Sophia’s composure slouched a little. “How can I trust you?”

“Try me. Ask me to do something for you, and I will do it.”

Isabella held her breath. That was a bold statement on Patrick’s part.

Sophia tilted her chin up. “Would you renounce Maiden Hill for me? Marry me but never, ever see Maiden Hill again?”

Anthony muttered a curse the Dowager didn’t chide.

Isabella shook her head. That was a low blow. Whatever Patrick said, he would lose Maiden Hill.

Silence as thorny as the firethorn’s spikes spread.

Patrick shifted his weight and attempted to glance over his shoulder to where they were hidden. But then he straightened and faced Sophia.

“No.” His determined reply cut through the silence. “I love you, Sophia, but Maiden Hill belongs to my family with the precious memories it holds for us. I can’t give it up. Not even for you.”

Anthony grinned, nodding. The Dowager remained unfathomable, as usual.

Even through the leaves, Sophia’s sudden pallor was evident. Either she was angry or disappointed.

“Then you don’t love me,” Sophia said, turning around.

“She’s leaving.” Isabella clenched her fists before coming out of her hiding place. “Sophia!”

Sophia stopped right next to Hero. “Isabella. Were you eavesdropping on my conversation with Patrick?”

“As you eavesdropped on my conversation with Helen.”

Sophia had the decency to blush.

“I won’t interfere with your personal relationship with Patrick, but I don’t want to lose Maiden Hill because of your personal quarrel with him.”

Sophia folded her arms over her chest. “Patrick is an indecisive and weak man.”

“Patrick has just shown you he’s ready to sacrifice his feelings for you to honour his family. This isn’t the act of a weak man. You should have been appalled if he’d agreed to your blackmail.”

“It wasn’t blackmail.” Sophia lost her confident attitude. “It was…”

Isabella arched her eyebrows, trying to imitate the Dowager. “It was blackmail. Maiden Hill might be simply a house to you, but for us, it’s the place where the memories of our loved ones are resting. It’s part of our family, given away in a moment of extreme pain.” She took a step closer to Sophia. “Anthony’s grandfather sold it because he was heartbroken. He was hurt, and your father took advantage of that pain for revenge, acquiring the house with a stratagem. Your father behaved dishonourably, causing more pain to the late duke. Tell me, Sophia, are you proud of that? Of the way your father took advantage of a man’s broken heart to spite him? A man who was grieving the loss of his son and daughter.”

Sophia lowered her gaze. As the sun set, the shadow of Hero crept over Sophia, turning her burgundy gown into a dull grey.

Isabella continued. “You have the power to right a wrong that has tormented my family for too long. It’s your choice. You can end this quarrel right here, right now.”

Hero’s shadow fully engulfed Sophia who looked tiny compared to the tall and proud statue.

“I don’t believe you’re so flippant not to realise what pain your father inflicted upon us. Make a choice.” Isabella let her words sink in. Anthony and the Dowager had left their hiding place as well, and they were standing behind her.

Sophia wiped her cheek so quickly Isabella wasn’t sure there had been a tear at all.

Sophia bowed her head. “You’re right, Your Grace. I’ll do my best to convince Father to return Maiden Hill to your family.”

She didn’t dare show her happiness but remained composed, as the Dowager would do, fighting a smile threatening to break on her lips. “Thank you.”

Sophia gazed around the garden, looking like a simple young woman. “This garden is beautiful, a truly magical place. Patrick chose well.”

He hadn’t, but never mind.

“Thank you, Sophia,” Anthony said.

Sophia nodded. “Patrick, I wish you well.”

Patrick bowed and didn’t beg her to stay.

After another graceful bow of her head, Sophia left. The moment Sophia disappeared up the stairs, Isabella let out a whoop.

Anthony hugged her. Patrick smiled although a hint of sadness lingered on his face. The Dowager showed the biggest, happiest smile Isabella had ever seen.

Anthony crushed his brother in a tight hug. “Well done, Patrick.”

Patrick didn’t react with the enthusiasm she would expect. He stared at his hands covered in cuts and bruises as if seeing them for the first time. The hours of manual work had taken their toll on him.

“I haven’t done anything well,” Patrick said. “I hope one day you’ll tell me that again when I deserve it.”

The Dowager hugged Isabella. “Wonderful. The way you held yourself together while confronting Sophia was wonderful.”

She laughed, but the laugh turned into a quick sob. “I’m so happy I might cry.”

“Absolutely not.” The Dowager wiped Isabella’s eyes with a silk handkerchief. “You’re a duchess.”