Taylor cleared his throat. “Miss Felicity,” he said, “perhaps you and I might find someone to escort us on a walk in the garden?” He gave Arthur a meaningful look which Isabella couldn’t help noticing.
Felicity clearly understood, for she jumped to her feet at once. “You know,” she agreed, “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
When they’d left the room, Arthur turned to Isabella. “You really were marvelous,” he said quietly. “I was proud to call you my wife today.”
“I was proud to be your wife,” she replied softly. “I’m so grateful to you for eliminating a threat to my sister’s life. I know I’ve had my share of complaints since we’ve been married?—”
“Nothing unreasonable,” he told her. “You’ve only ever wanted to be a part of my life.”
“I wanted to know you cared about me,” she said. “And after today, I’ll never doubt it again.”
Arthur rose to his feet and held out his hands to her. Isabella came into his arms, and for the very first time, he felt as if they were doing the right thing by embracing one another. For the first time, there was no worry that he might be putting her in danger by getting too close to her, no fear that he might be distracting himself from what he really needed to be doing. For the first time, he could let himself follow his heart. And Isabella knew that she could trust him to mean the things he said to her, that he really did care for her—and that made it possible for her to trust him fully.
So, when he kissed her, she didn’t think about what it might mean. She simply surrendered herself to it and allowed herself to forget everything else.
CHAPTER 38
“Did Father say why he wanted to come visit us?” Felicity asked anxiously.
Isabella frowned. “Does it worry you? You’ve been so bold lately when it comes to our father—standing up to him and then leaving his house to be here with me and Arthur. You’ve turned your whole life around. It concerns me to see that you might be frightened of Father now, after all that.”
“Well, I’m not frightened ofhim,” Felicity argued, “but he does have the power to influence my life.”
“But what could he possibly—oh,” Isabella realized suddenly. “I understand. You’re worried he might have found someone for you to marry.”
“It’s possible,” Felicity said. “He’s not happy about the fact that I’ve been looking out for myself in that regard. He’s not happyabout the idea that your husband might be the one to find me a match instead of him doing it for me.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Isabella replied. “He’s already bothered about the fact that I became a duchess when Rosalind didn’t. You can see how much it bothers him by the way he makes a big to-do about all the gossip about Arthur. He can’t allow himself to think that Arthur might be a desirable man—that such a man might have chosen me over his precious Rosalind. And I’m sure it will be the same with you. If anyone shows a preference for you over Rosalind, Father will need to be able to point to something seriously wrong with him.”
“That’s why I’m worried about seeing him,” Felicity said. “What if he’s found such a person and is going to try to arrange a marriage for me?”
“We may be able to help,” Isabella suggested. “Arthur and I, I mean. We’ll certainly do all we can. But Felicity, it will be easier if you tell us who this mystery man is that you’re interested in.”
Felicity blushed and said nothing.
Isabella reached out and took her sister’s hand. “If it helps,” she said, “I believe I already know.”
Felicity looked up at her. “You do? How could you know?”
“I’ve seen the two of you together.” Isabella smiled. “You’re talking about Lord Henrough, aren’t you?”
Felicity sighed. “Yes,” she admitted.
“And why does that make you sound so despondent? I’d think you would be happy to be in love. It’s clear that being around him makes you happy.”
“It’s just that I’m afraid I won’t be able to have him if Father has his mind on someone else for me,” Felicity said.
“Does Lord Henrough return your affections?”
“Yes,” Felicity said. “He’s told me that he wishes to propose to me. He asked me if he could approach Father to request his permission, but I told him to wait. Not because I’m not interested—I’d like nothing better than a proposal of marriage from him—but because I’m terrified that Father will say no. And once he does, the whole thing will be over, and there will be nothing more to do or say about it.”
Isabella squeezed her sister’s hand. “I’m on your side,” she said, “and I know that Arthur will be too.”
“But will that be enough to persuade Father?”
“I don’t know, but we’ll work together and do all we can,” Isabella said. “You won’t be facing this alone.”
Felicity sighed. “I can’t help but feel anxious about it,” she said. “I’m so pleased that everything turned out well for you, Isabella,truly. But now, I can’t help feeling afraid that Father will makesurethings don’t end happily for me.”
