Page 7

seven

I sabella shut the concealed door and leant against it after Anthony had left.

What had happened? She wasn’t sure. Well, she’d hit and attacked a duke, disregarded etiquette, and asked him personal questions. Questions he’d answered, though. The truth was she hadn’t expected him to be so vulnerable and in need of a laugh underneath his stony composure. She felt sorry for him, and wasn’t that absurd?

He was a blasted duke, one of the most powerful men in the kingdom. He had everything he wanted. Choosing a wife was a chore for him because noblewomen from half the world wanted to marry him.

Yet he carried a sadness so heavy she’d sensed it on her shoulders like a heavy cloak. She couldn’t have refused when he’d asked her to visit Maiden Hill, but the visit posed a huge problem. Another secret meeting with the duke.

The sharp knock on the main door jolted her. “Isabella. Are you back?”

That was Helen.

She opened the door. “Yes?”

Helen and Mother slid inside, casting curious glances at her.

“What happened to your hair?” Mother asked at the same time as Helen asked, “Why did you stay behind?”

She braided her hair quickly. “I just needed a walk before going to bed, so I went to the library. Are you angry with me? Did I do something wrong?”

What if Anthony had told Mother about the stairs? No, he wouldn’t say anything. She trusted him.

Mother exhaled. “You could avoid laughing loudly or making comments on the duke’s income. Or giggling?—”

Another knock interrupted her.

“What a busy night.” She opened the door and smiled at her father.

“I knew it.” He hugged her and kissed her cheek as if he hadn’t seen her in a long time. “Your mother and your sister are here to scold you, aren’t they?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Mother put her hands on her hips. “And I want to scold you as well. I specifically asked you both not to talk about politics.”

“It was my fault,” she said. “Father has nothing to do with that.”

Father huffed. “The Dowager asked you a question. You couldn’t refuse to answer.”

“You don’t realise how important this arrangement with the duke is.” Mother paced.

“The duke agreed with Isabella and me,” Father said. “I don’t believe we caused any damage.”

“Father is right. Don’t be so harsh, Mother.” Helen sat on the bed. “And I didn’t come here to scold Isabella. The Dowager trapped her in a complicated conversation. I want to know about you and Lord Patrick.”

At hearing Patrick’s name, her parents faced her.

She fixed her chignon again. “He’s charming and funny. I enjoy spending time with him.”

“Is he bothered by your wild manners?” Mother asked.

“Olivia.” Father exhaled.

“Patrick didn’t say anything about my manners. He told me he enjoyed my company, too.”

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Isabella married Patrick?” Helen’s joy sounded genuine. “I would feel less alone.”

Isabella didn’t have time to inquire about what Helen meant by that.

Mother didn’t share her enthusiasm. “We’ll see. Isabella won’t become a member of the Beaufort family unless her behaviour is impeccable.”

She wanted to say the duke didn’t care about that, but that would lead to another argument and questions she couldn’t answer. “How did it go with the duke?”

Helen lost some of her radiance. “I don’t know. I did my best to please him and show him we could get along well, but he seemed annoyed by my answers for some reason. I’m not sure. I don’t understand him.”

“Did you behave as I’d told you?” Mother asked.

“I did. I followed your instructions to the letter.” An annoyed note crept in Helen’s tone. “As always.”

“Perhaps stop being so agreeable and tell him what you think about everything,” Father said. “He seems to appreciate honesty.”

“Pish.” Mother shook her head. “Don’t do that, Helen. A man like the duke doesn’t want to hear his wife’s opinion. He desires a proper lady with refined manners, able to provide him with a strong heir. That’s it, and thank goodness for that.”

“That sounds atrocious,” Isabella said. “Helen won’t be anything more than cattle.”

“Quite the opposite. It means freedom to her. The moment she gives the duke an heir and a spare, she’ll be free to do as she pleases. He’ll live his boring life of meetings at Parliament, and she’ll flourish. The more you meddle with your husband’s affairs, the more difficult the marriage will be. You’ll end up arguing with him all the time.”

Helen nodded, seemingly tired, but Isabella wasn’t sure she agreed.

“That’s not true,” Father said. “I’m always more than happy to hear your opinion.”

“And every time I give you my opinion on something, we end up arguing as we’re doing now.”

Isabella had no experience with men. She’d never had a suitor, never truly thought about a husband—not even during her Season—and never thought about her married life. But the duke didn’t give her the impression of being a man who wanted a cold, detached wife who lived a separate life from his. She might be wrong though.

“Isabella.” Mother took her hands. “Please think about the opportunity you and your sister have. Don’t do anything reckless. Be good.”

Her throat tightened. Was she such a terrible daughter? Was she really an embarrassment to her family? She was lucky Mother didn’t know what happened with the duke.

“If we play our cards well,” Mother said, “you two could both be married into the Beaufort family. There’s nothing I want more than to see my two beautiful daughters settled, and being part of this family is such an honour. Isn’t it, Benjamin?”

Father rubbed his forehead. “I only want you two to be happy. But your mother is right. The Beauforts are a powerful family, and I respect the duke. He’s an honourable man. But if you think you’ll be miserable next to him, I want you to tell me, and I don’t want you to feel forced to marry him.”

Helen nodded. “Thank you, Father.” She hugged him with a desperation Isabella found exaggerated.

“Isabella?” Mother asked. “Do we understand each other?”

“I’ll do my best, Mother. I promise.”

* * *

After an almost sleepless night, Isabella had woken up early and left the castle to meet Anthony before Lawson could come with her or send a maid in her place.

Thank goodness finding the main front door was easy. It’d taken her only a few minutes to reach the path to the hill.

The urgency in Mother’s words had overwhelmed her with doubts. She wanted to be herself and laugh as much as she pleased, but she didn’t want to ruin her sister’s future.

If the duke didn’t marry Helen because of her behaviour, she would never forgive herself. And maybe Mother was right about Patrick. He was handsome and funny. Perhaps it was time for her to think about getting married, too.

Her breath turned into mist as she trekked uphill at a fast pace.

Wheezing, she paused at the top of the hill under the shadow of an oak tree. The air was thick with the scent of wet soil and bluebells. From that point, she had an unobstructed view of the castle. It was huge, ancient, and with centuries of history like the Beauforts. Too much. Too overwhelming.

The prospect of being bound to such a powerful family started a choking sensation in her throat. Not even Father had dismissed the importance of Helen marrying the duke.

“Isabella!”

Doubts gnawed at her as Anthony arrived from the path. He wore the same plain clothes as the first time they’d met, but it seemed that a year had passed since that moment.

She shouldn’t have another secret meeting with him and maybe ruin her sister’s chances by saying or doing something silly. Something that was…herself.

He removed his flat hat and bowed. His auburn curls tumbled over his sharp cheeks and strong jaw. “Good morning. How are you today?”

“I’m afraid I can’t do this. I’m sorry.”

“What’s the matter? You can’t do what?”

“You.”

“Me?”

“I can’t spend time with you. I’m sorry.” She went to move, but he took her hand gently.

“Did I do something that offended you? I’ll make amends.”

Her heart cracked a little. “No, you didn’t do anything. It’s me. I don’t want to be the cause of my sister’s unhappiness.”

“I don’t understand.” He didn’t release her hand. “We already discussed that. I told you I don’t care about your behaviour.”

“It’s not just my behaviour. I’m not what you might call an accomplished lady. I don’t speak foreign languages as fluently as Helen does. I don’t have gracious conversation skills. My only ambition is to attend to the flowers in my conservatory. What kind of ambition is that?” She had to take a deep breath not to sob.

Anthony listened to her patiently. His eyebrows plunged in a deep V. “It’s your ambition. It’s who you are.”

“Your family is so powerful and ancient that being part of it, even through Helen’s marriage to you, is a huge responsibility, and I don’t want to embarrass my family.”

Anthony’s gaze became so intense she stopped blabbering. There was no hiding from his emerald eyes.

He cupped her cheek with a light hand. “You aren’t going to embarrass your family. I find your honesty and happiness refreshing. I wouldn’t want you to change for any reason, and you shouldn’t be intimidated by my family.”

“The Dowager doesn’t like me. She doesn’t want me to have anything to do with your family.” She leant into his touch.

“You’re being too dramatic, and Grandmama doesn’t decide my future. Stop worrying. Please.”

“What about Helen? I don’t want her to be penalised because of me.”

He withdrew his hand, and she missed the comfort it provided. “Helen won’t be penalised. I promise.”

“She’s so clever, you know. She studies and memorises even subjects she doesn’t like. She hates the piano, but she plays it divinely. I received the same education, but with not-so-brilliant results. Not that I cared until now.”

“Enough.” He gave her a stern look. “As I said, Helen and your family won’t be humiliated, ridiculed, or punished in any way. And I don’t think you’re an embarrassment. I wouldn’t be here with you right now if I thought ill of you. Grandmama enjoys giving orders, but this is my life, and I decide whom I want to marry. So stop this fuss. You’re worrying about nothing.”

She stooped her shoulders, tension leaving her body. “Thank you.”

“Do you want to get back to the castle?” He offered her his arm.

She’d made a promise, and he’d been very kind to her. “No, I want to see Maiden Hill with you.”

“It’s not far.”

He held her hand as they went down the path, and she quite liked the gesture.

Maiden Hill came into view after a curve. The imposing three-storey manor must have had shining limestone walls in the past. Now English ivy and weeds crawled over them like a disease sprouted from the ground. A diamond window on the ground floor was broken, and moss covered the roof.

Anthony gripped her hand more tightly as they stopped in the drive where weeds competed for space.

“No one lives here.” She craned her neck to see past the overgrown trees, but the upper floor was hidden by the vegetation.

“Von Gruner doesn’t care about this place.”

“Why did he buy it then?”

“Out of spite. He had a dispute with my father years ago. Von Gruner wished to marry my mother, but she chose my father.” He led her to the front door. “Grandmama also insulted him, and he’s a proud man. So he let Maiden Hill rot. In just a few years of neglect, the house has started to crumble.”

The front door screeched on its hinges like a cry for help when he pushed it open. A flutter of wings welcomed them when they stepped inside. From a hole in the roof, dry leaves and dirt poured into the majestic entry hall. Birds nested in the nooks on the walls.

“Von Gruner ordered the demolition of the house, but he changed his mind after the work had started. And that’s the result.” Anthony’s body tensed, and his eyes glowed with turmoil.

A shiver crawled down her neck as eerie noises echoed in the hall.

“My bedroom is upstairs.” His voice cracked, and pain slipped through. “We were happy here. We were a proper family. What is the point of being powerful if I can’t save the house my parents loved the most? My father proposed to my mother here. He died here. I was born here and spent the most wonderful years with my parents. My father believed parents should spend as much time as possible with their children. We had a nanny and a governess, but he cared a lot about feeding us when we were children and sharing our meals. Mother loved singing. Her sweet voice echoed through the house.” He took a deep breath. “I’ve talked too much.”

“I’m so sorry.” She closed her hands around his. “It’s cruel to deprive you of this place and treat it like that.”

He shuddered. “What hurts the most is that I failed my parents.”

“No. You didn’t sell Maiden Hill.”

“But I can’t get it back. Von Gruner doesn’t even want to talk to me.”

“Can I help?”

He averted his gaze from the sweeping stairs to focus on her. A slow smile transformed his face from desperate to peaceful. “Thank you.”

“I’m pretty useless, as you know?—”

“No, I don’t.”

“But if you need help, I’m here.”

“You’ve already helped me a lot just by being here.”

They remained in silence for a few moments, listening to the birds’ song. Not as eerie as she’d thought.

She nudged him with her elbow. “Do you know what I’m thinking?”

“Something about climbing over the roof to jump through the hole?”

She laughed, and he focused on her as if he were hearing the most enchanting sound. “I’d love to see this house restored to its former beauty. Imagine rushing down those sweeping stairs.”

He burst out laughing, scaring a group of collared doves. “Please never change, Isabella.”

“You’re the first one to ever tell me that. Aside from my papa.”

He offered her his arm. “We should return to the castle.”

“Yes, and I promise I won’t do anything silly.”

“That’s a shame. I enjoy your silly things.”

“I almost killed you last night. When I thought about that this morning, I felt so ashamed of myself.” And Mother’s speech had made her think.

“You can be yourself with me. As for my grandmama, I’d suggest you avoid knocking her off her feet.”

“Heavens. She would ask the queen to expel me from the country.”

He laughed again.

As they walked the same path as the previous day, her muscles loosened, releasing the tension that had tormented her for the whole night.

“So you want to be a gardener.” He sounded genuinely curious.

“I love growing plants. When I’m home, I spend most of the time in the conservatory. My dream is to have a glasshouse where there are always blossoming flowers of every colour, and plants from distant places. It would be like holding the whole world under the same roof. Imagine, plants from the cold Scandinavia to the warm Amazon, all in one place. It’s silly, I know.”

He frowned, holding the gate to the castle for her. “You should stop referring to yourself as silly.”

“Well, if anything, it’s good that Helen is your possible choice of a wife. She’ll fill the role of the duchess perfectly.” She must have said something he didn’t like because his frown deepened. Perhaps she shouldn’t talk about his choices since nothing had been decided yet.

Once inside the castle, they took a route new to her that ran along a set of arched windows.

“This way is more spectacular.” She stopped to admire the view of the forest.

“It’s less safe than the one we took yesterday. Sometimes servants use this passage to go to the tower?—”

“The tower!” She faced him.

His harsh lines softened. “Right here. Come.”

Large stone steps formed a steep spiral staircase. As they went up, the sound of their footfalls filled the silence.

She gasped when they arrived at the top.

A round room was lined with large windows from which the whole of England was visible. Gentle hills rose in the distance through a veil of fog. A river shone like a silver ribbon across a green expanse, and the forest looked like a dormant giant.

“Beautiful.” She leant over a window. The trees below seemed like toys.

“Careful.” He pulled her back gently by taking her waist. “These stones are ancient. You never know.”

The contact started a flutter in her belly, and he stared at her with the usual awe that made her feel special.

“Thank you for this gift,” she said.

He lowered his gaze as if worried she might see the emotions in his eyes. How she wished he would let her see them. She wanted to see him lose his stony composure and fully enjoy himself for once, without the burden of his sadness returning to weigh down on him.

“We should go back.” Something had changed in him because his tone had nothing of the warmth from before. His constant sadness punished him every time he was happy.

Or perhaps she’d been too loud or too annoying. “Of course.”

They walked the rest of the way in silence. Their hands brushed against each other a few times, and she could swear he tried to lace his fingers through hers.

He stopped in the same spot as the other day. “Thank you for your company. It means a lot.”

He sounded so formal she didn’t know how to respond.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

They stared at each other in the dimly lit room that had to be centuries old and must have seen generations of dukes and duchesses exercising their power. But at that moment, as she stared into his sad green eyes, she saw only a man who carried a heavy burden. A burden she wasn’t sure he would let her share with him.