“I don’t know,” Arthur said. “These might be two areas of my life—you and Isabella—that I would prefer to keep separate from one another.”
Taylor laughed. “Well, I can’t say I blame you for not wanting to introduce me to a lady,” he admitted. “I imagine you’re worried I would cause all sorts of embarrassment merely by being myself—is that it?”
“Something like that,” Arthur agreed, permitting himself a small smile. “Perhaps I will allow you to meet her, but…I think I would like to at least try to finish off this business with my parents’ murder before we move forward in that direction. I’d like resolution. I can’t focus on introducing you to Isabella while I know that you and I are still working on something I’m not able to speak to her about.”
“Then she doesn’t know? About any of it?”
“No, I could hardly tell her these things,” Arthur explained. “Even if I thought she could understand, she shouldn’t have to. It’s too dark and disturbing. And if she knew that I was on the trail of a murderer, she would have to live in fear that I might actually cross paths with the fiend. I don’t want her to have to worry about that.”
“I see what you mean,” Taylor replied. “Perhaps it is for the best that you keep her separated from such things, at least for now.”
Arthur nodded. “But Taylor, truly, thank you for all your help, as always,” he said. “I know you weren’t sure whether it would be the right choice, telling me about all this, but I’m here to tell you that it was. I would rather know—even if the thing I have to know is something dreadful like this—than to spend the rest of my life searching for answers I’ll never find. Thank you.”
Taylor nodded. “I’ll continue to try to get information about all this,” he said. “And I’ll see what I’m able to tell you as time goes on. Maybe we’ll learn what we want to know without you having to confront Lady Reeves at all.”
“Well, I hope so,” Arthur agreed. “I’ll look forward to hearing from you. Thank you again.”
CHAPTER 20
“Oh, I’m so excited about this,” Isabella said as she, Arthur, and Aunt Olivia made their way up the path to Manford Manor. “It’s not my very first ball, but in many ways, it feels like it.”
“I imagine it would,” Aunt Olivia agreed, smiling at her. “Every other ball you’ve been to has been very limited, hasn’t it?”
“Yes,” Isabella agreed. “I’ve always felt as if I was under my father’s control. I’ve always felt beholden to him, unable to do the things I really wanted to do or be the person I really wanted to be. Not that I cared very much about pleasing him, of course, but there are things you simply can’t do without your father’s approval. It would have been too difficult to dance with gentlemen at these things. Most of them never looked my way anyway because they knew too much about my family circumstances. They knew how my father would disapprove if they gave me any attention at all. And those who didn’t know were simply put off by my simple gowns that never flattered me.” She ran her hands over the skirt of the gown she had been givenfor this occasion. “This is the finest thing I’ve ever worn. I think it’s better than the gown I got married in.”
Arthur laughed. “It’s good to see you enjoying yourself,” he said. “I’m glad we came out tonight, Isabella. I believe we’ll have a good time.”
“I’m just so glad that Felicity is going to be here!” Isabella gushed. “Maybe I’ll get to meet some of the gentlemen who have shown an interest in courtship with her. I’d like that better than almost anything. I have to see for myself whether these people are worthy of my sister’s company or not.”
“Well, you’ll have all night to do just that,” Arthur assured her.
They made their way inside. The foyer was full of party guests greeting one another. At once, Arthur was surrounded.
Of course, Isabella realized—today would be a very big day for him as well since he so rarely attended balls of any sort. Everyone would have questions for him. Everyone would be hoping to satisfy their curiosity. She resolved to stick by his side, thinking that perhaps the evening would be easier for him if he had her close at hand.
But almost at once, her resolve was tested.
“Isabella!” She would have known that voice anywhere. It was Felicity, calling from across the room. Isabella’s hand tightened on Arthur’s arm, and she looked up at him.
He smiled at her. “Go,” he said. “Go and greet your sister. I’ll speak to these people, and then I’ll come and join you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Very sure,” Arthur said. “I know how eager you are to see her. Just don’t wander too far. I’d like to be able to find you.”
“We won’t leave the foyer,” Isabella promised. She gave Arthur’s arm a squeeze then let him go and hurried over to her sister.
Felicity seized her hands excitedly. “I can’t believe how beautiful you look! I’ve never seen you look so lovely! That gown is wonderful. The pink is a lovely color on you.”
“Never mind me—look atyou!” Isabella marveled. “That gown looks like it was tailored especially to fit you.”
“That’s because itwas!” Felicity giggled.
“You can’t mean that Father finally bought you something fine of your very own?”
“Oh, no. He would never do that. I thought you’d know—it’s all your husband’s doing! He sent a dressmaker with orders that I should have several new things made for me and that he wanted to be charged for everything. I must thank him tonight.”
“I had no idea,” Isabella admitted. “That’s just so thoughtful of him.”
