Thaddeus strode irritably out of the house and into the garden. The gentleman who had pulled him away was a particularly dull business contact, and he was annoyed with the man for taking him from Isolde’s side, and doubly annoyed to find her gone when he returned.
One of the women standing nearby had informed Thaddeus that she had seen Isolde going toward the garden.
Thaddeus had ignored the woman’s very thinly veiled hint thatshewould have never wandered off from a marquess; he thanked the woman curtly and headed for the garden.
When he did not immediately see Isolde, his frustration deepened. He strode further into the garden, methodically checking any spot she might be.
Then he heard what sounded like a woman’s muffled cry, and something struck fear into his heart. There was no reason to think it was her, yet he could not stop his steps from speeding up.
Then he rounded the corner and came upon Crowley crowding Isolde against a hedge, a look of pure terror on her face. All his annoyance fled as the fear in his heart seemed to consumehis entire body. For a moment, he froze, feeling as though he’d collapse.
And then the anger bloomed within him like a raging fire.
He threw himself across the remaining space between them and grabbed Crowley’s shoulder, yanking him away from Isolde. Crowley had the audacity to grab at her as he went, causing her to stumble forward.
Thaddeus shoved him away and caught Isolde as gently as he could in his arms. For a moment, she clung to him, staring up at him with wide eyes.
Then she scrambled away, averting her gaze – but in those few moments, the fear in her eyes and the tears shimmering on her eyelashes had made his blood boil.
Behind them, Crowley was sputtering something about Isolde tempting him.
Thaddeus whirled around to face him, barely restraining himself from punching the man in the face. Instead, he gripped both lapels and pulled Crowley close so he could lean down into his face.
“Leave my sight,” he said, low and dark, “or I shall make you regret your entire existence.”
Crowley’s protests cut off with a whimper, and for a moment, he just stared at Thaddeus, mouth opening and closing without sound like a fish trying to breathe air. Then Thaddeus released him, and he scurried away without looking back.
Thaddeus took a few deep breaths to calm himself before turning back to Isolde. She was staring at him, and when he met her gaze, it looked like she might cry.
“Lord Hartington,” she said, her words trembling. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Whatever for?” he asked, confused, but she barely seemed to hear him.
“I told him I wished to leave. I tried to get away from him,” she continued. The realization hit him like a lightning bolt.
“Miss Fairchild,” he interrupted her, voice firm but gentle. “It was very clear his attentions were not wanted.”
She sucked in an unsteady breath and then nodded. He noticed her glance jump to his hands and wondered if she had been afraid not only of the impropriety but of his anger.
“I am not angry with you,” he said, holding her gaze. “And even if I were, I would not hurt you. You never need fear that from me.”
She exhaled the breath, and he was relieved to see the fear leave her eyes. She still looked badly shaken, however.
“Perhaps before we return to the ball, we can walk a bit more in the garden. To calm our nerves,” he suggested.
“Yes, please,” she replied, relief flooding her face.
He gestured for her to go before him to the main path, and then he fell in walking beside her. He didn’t want to force her to make conversation, so they walked in silence, and he found himself listening to her breathing. It had been light and fast, but the longer they walked, the more it slowed. As it evened into a steady rhythm, he felt his own body relax in kind.
“Thank you,” she said suddenly, and he glanced over at her. “For saving me. It seems to have become an unfortunate habit for you.”
“I would not call it unfortunate,” he said, and then did not trust himself to say more. He looked at her face once more. Though she had calmed down, she still looked stiff and nervous.
At that moment, he would have given anything to make her smile, or even just to chase the worry away. He halted on the path, turning to face her and very gently reaching down to take her hand in his. Even through their gloves, he felt a spark at their touch. It made his head swim a little.
She glanced between their hands and his face, her eyes curious. He squeezed her hand gently.
“Before we go inside, I want to reassure you again, no trouble will come to you from this. I will make sure of it. And I promise you that I will also make sure our plan succeeds. You will have the love match you deserve.”
