The nuns, sheltered from the world and without access to scandal sheets, would likely not connect the shy, kindly Madeline with the shocking Duke of Tolford. They might not even know about her marriage.
“Thank you,” he added briefly, turned on his heel, and went striding away. He had made it to the hall before he heard hurrying footsteps following him, and turned to see Isaac behind him.
“I can’t stay,” Tristan said shortly.
Isaac sighed. “I know. What on earth did you and Madeline argue about?”
A footman handed over Tristan’s hat and helped him into his coat.
“None of your business,” Tristan responded curtly.
Isaac rolled his eyes. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Tristan, it’s me.”
“Nevertheless, I can manage my own business.”
Isaac stepped forward, neatly coming between Tristan and the door.
“Charlotte is concerned about her friend,” he said firmly. “You must not hurt her, Tristan. You won’t be forgiven if you do.”
“I have no intention of hurting her.”
“Don’t you? I don’t think you know what your intentions are, my friend.”
Tristan scowled and tried to step around his friend. Isaac, undeterred, stepped in front of him once more.
“With the greatest respect, Isaac, I do not need to be told how to handle my wife.”
“Even if that were true—and I am not sure it is—I think you certainly do need to be told how to handle your feelings.”
Tristan had not expected to hear this. He blinked, missed a beat, and met Isaac’s gaze squarely.
“What did you say?”
Isaac lifted his chin. “You heard me. I know you well, my friend, and I am not trying to lecture you or clip your wings. I do not want to see Madeline—or you—get hurt.”
“I have no feelings for her,” Tristan managed at last. “Beyond fondness, of course.”
“Ha!”
“Don’t you dare laugh at me. This whole business is nothing important, really. I do not need to care for my wife as anything more than a friend.”
“I do not believe you,” Isaac stated.
Tristan stared at him, frowning.
“She doesn’t deserve any of this,” he said at last, his voice quieter than he had expected. “She does not deserve to have a man like me becoming… becomingobsessedwith her. I will do her damage. The greatest kindness I could show that woman would be to leave her alone.”
Isaac exhaled slowly. “You are not your father, Tristan. You could never be like him.”
Tristan flinched visibly, hating himself for the reaction. It was a sharp reminder that no matter how hard one worked, no matter how stoic one might be, one’s feelings could never quite be suppressed.
Although my father seemed to achieve it very nicely.Humiliating my mother every day of her life, beating my brother and me like dogs. God, I hated him. I still do hate him. Sometimes I think that it is lucky for us both that he is dead, or else I might have killed him and swung for it.
Swallowing, he gave himself a little shake and met Isaac’s eye. Isaac was watching him dubiously, chewing his lower lip.
“Why don’t you stay here for a while with Charlotte and me?” Isaac asked quietly. “Give Madeline a chance to recover. See them later today. You are too hasty by far, my friend. Too hasty.”
She makes me hasty. She makes me hurry as though I am running out of time.
