It was not as though she did not trust them; it was more that if she spoke, she would have to face the truth herself. That shehad left not just to visit, but because she and Evan were standing on opposite sides of something that could possibly change the entire trajectory of their relationship.
So instead, she patted Penelope’s hand, offering a small smile. “You worry too much,” she murmured. “Truly. Now, please, continue on with your conversation, and I shall go and stroll on my own for a while.”
“That does not sound reassuring,” Daphne said, her forehead creasing with worry.
“Perhaps you’re right that I’ve been sulking,” Isadora admitted that much. “A walk alone will change that. I shall catch up with you ladies in a while.”
The three exchanged glances but ultimately could not keep Isadora chained to them.
“Fine,” Penelope sighed. “But hurry back sister, and return the woman whom we know you to be. It’s not every day that we get to see you, and seeing you behave like this is not fun in the slightest.”
“I will try to.” Isadora flashed her a small smile—the first genuine one of the day.
Then she pulled away, straightened her posture, and set off. For now, they had allowed it even if they hadn’t fully bought into her explanation, but Isadora knew they would not be fooled forever.
Isadora walked away from the group without direction, her steps slow and unhurried as she moved through the more unoccupied paths of the park trail. She wished to be away from watching eyes.
Usually, walks in nature had a way of soothing her like nothing else. It was her way to connect with herself again, letting the outside noise of the world fall away, but today, her thoughts were too restless.
I’ve come here to escape thinking of my husband, and yet, it is all I can manage to do.
How ridiculous.
A part of her ached at the distance that had formed between them. It had been days since they’d had a proper conversation without it turning sour. His absence gnawed at her.
“God, I should be angry at him still,” she muttered to herself, keeping her gaze firmly trained to the ground, but anger had given way to frustration, and frustration had dissolved into something far more irritating.
She missed him. Terribly.
Isadora had found herself in a truly difficult position. Staying with him was too frustrating and only reminded her of his rejection, but keeping away was proving to be just as difficult.
Isadora had lost track of the time as she walked. Lifting her head, she realized she had wandered farther than she meant to. The park trails had given way to the tree-lined edges of the back grounds where the old paths were still untamed and half-swallowed by nature.
A mild unease crept in at the stillness. She had never ventured out this far before.
“At least there is no one here to bother me,” she muttered, rubbing the side of her arms and turning to make her journey back. It would be best now to rejoin the others.
But before she could take another step, the crunch of leaves under heavy hooves startled her.
“Duchess.”
Isadora whipped around, the breath hitching in her throat. A man stepped forward on his horse from the shadows of the trees. He had a mask on, but Isadora could tell that he was quite tall. The moment her eyes landed on him, every muscle in her body went rigid.
He didnotlook like anyone with whom she should be crossing paths.
“I was just wondering how to get you away from your little group,” the man said to her mockingly. Isadora tried to place the voice in her mind, but her panic had jumbled her thoughts.
Isadora tried to take several steps back, knowing that this was no place for her to be. Her pulse pounded.
“Leave me alone,” she yelled out as the man began to dismount. He was moving slowly, as if he was unconcerned about catching up to her. Rightly so—there were no other people here as she had wandered out quite far.
“Why would I ever do such a treacherous thing?” the man continued.
Her mind began to reel. How quickly could she run? How far away were her family and friends?
He took a step forward.
Oh, no, no, no.Whirling on her heel, she bolted. She made it two steps before fingers clamped around her wrist.
