“How can I change everything that I have ever believed at such short notice?” he mused out loud to himself.
He had sworn that the cycle would end with him. That his father’s name would end when he died. But the way that Isadora had looked at him that night had made something dangerous creep into his resolve.
Something like doubt. Or perhaps regret.
What if she knows better than I do?
His grip tightened around the glass as he shook the thoughts away and bowed his head down on the table.
If agreeing to her demands was the only way to bring her back into his life, would he agree to them?
The sound of hurried footsteps outside the study door made him lift his head, interrupting his frantic train of thought.
“Your Grace.”
The butler entered, looking alarmed.
Evan frowned, sitting up straighter. “I do not wish to be disturbed at this moment.”
“Your Grace, I apologize profusely. But you have an urgent visitor,” he explained, “Lady Penelope has come to see you, and she claims that you must meet her immediately.”
“Penelope?” Evan stood up immediately. “Send her in.”
Moments later, the doors slammed open and in followed a worried Penelope. The sight of her alone was enough to make him tense as it was entirely unexpected.
“Is she here?” Penelope asked, alarmed, her eyes wide. Her hair was out of place, and the way that her breath raged on made it seem like she had run here.
“What are you talking about?” Evan said, too alarmed to be offended by the crass manner in which she had entered. “Is everything all right?”
Immediately, his mind went to Isadora, and he felt his stomach sink.Something was wrong.
“Isadora,” Penelope replied. “If she’s not here, thenwhereis she?”
“You would know better. She came to visit you,” Evan said, waiting for her explanation. His fists curled at his sides.
Penelope’s face went pale.
“This was my last hope. She…” she stammered. “We went to the park together, and Isadora departed for a lone walk. We waited for her, but she never returned.”
“What do youmeanshe never returned?” Evan’s voice rose.
“We suspect that she has gone missing,” Penelope admitted, panicked. “We have searched the grounds, sent word to the staff, and still, nothing. I thought that she might have returned to the estate, as a last hope, but it is clear that you know nothing about her whereabouts either.”
“And you waited until now to tell me this?”
Penelope’s expression hardened. “I came the moment I realized she was truly nowhere to be found. I had hoped she was simply avoiding you, but it seems the situation is far worse than that.”
A sharp pang of guilt twisted in Evan’s gut though he did not allow it to show. “Tell me everything,” he said, trying to keep his anger in check.
He needed to find a solution, and yelling at Penelope would only hinder the progress.
Penelope exhaled, clearly straining to maintain her composure.
“We were out together earlier today—Daphne, Violet, and me. Isadora seemed… not quite herself, but she insisted she only needed some fresh air. She left for a walk alone, and at first, I thought nothing of it. But then she never came back. When we retraced her steps, we found nothing. No sign of her.”
A terrible weight settled over him. Isadora was stubborn, but she was not foolish. If she had not returned, something had gone terribly wrong.
“You realize this is your fault, don’t you?” Penelope continued on.
