The smile slipped off her face, and he would have done anything to put it back, but he wasn’t sure how. He felt he was making a mess of things, but his own feelings were so confused he could barely think straight.
“Good night, Lord Hartington,” she said demurely, so different from just moments ago, and then dropped into a curtsey. Not knowing what else to do, he bowed again and left.
The moment he was alone in his room, he put his hand to his cheek. The spot where she had kissed him was still tingling. He closed his eyes and relived the moment – her lips, soft and warm on the skin of his cheek, her hand putting slight pressure on his as she pushed herself up to reach. His heart fluttered in his chest, and he cursed himself for handling the moment so poorly.
This was why it was better to stick to the plan. He and his confused feelings would only make things worse for her. She had not agreed to any of this, and he had promised her that he would help her find a love match, not fall in love with her himself.
He thought of Cassian’s prodding about the hunt. He had never cared about the hunt one way or the other, but perhaps it couldaccomplish something. It would bring any number of eligible gentlemen to the estate, and Isolde could have her pick of them.
Yes, it was the perfect cover to help their plan move forward. He resolved to speak to his mother and send out the invitations tomorrow.
The sooner he could get it arranged, the sooner Isolde might find a match, freeing him of his conflicting emotions, and getting her out from under his roof before he did something he regretted. He had to keep reminding himself that whatever tender feelings he harbored toward her, she deserved so much better than him.
Chapter 11
Isolde went down to breakfast the next morning feeling all out of sorts, having struggled to sleep after seeing Thaddeus in the library.
Her mind would not stop replaying the moment she’d kissed his cheek. She’d been surprised at her own boldness, but he had looked at her with such fondness that she’d forgotten herself.
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she made her way to the table and was pleased to see Thaddeus was sitting at the head of it. Her heart felt lighter seeing him back here, where she felt he belonged. And she had been worried that he would avoid her after the kiss.
Her excitement at his presence soon faded, however, when he barely gave her a second glance. Trying to conceal how much that hurt, she took her place at the table. He continued to ignore her for the rest of breakfast, and now she wondered if he was angry with her. He had not seemed angry last night, even after the kiss.
He had been formal with her, but his hand had held onto hers, and she could have sworn she did not mistake the way he looked at her.
Perhaps she was wrong, though – just seeing what she wanted to see.
She was still lost in these thoughts when Thaddeus spoke.
“Mother, I have been meaning to speak to you about the annual hunt. I’ve decided I would like to continue the tradition. How soon do you think we might be ready to hold it?”
Lady Hartington contemplated the question.
“Fairly soon, I should think. The staff are well accustomed to preparing it, and our friends all expect it. I have had a few inquire about it, many who say they’ve set next week aside and want to know if they should continue to hold it.
Thaddeus nodded.
“Tell them we are moving forward with it. I shall write to invite the others this morning. Let us set the opening date for the end of the week.”
A hunt?Isolde had never been part of a hunt before. She was intrigued at what it would involve but could not help feeling sad that this hunt was apparently worthy of more of Thaddeus’s attention than she was.
Soon after, Thaddeus excused himself to write the invitations and finish some business affairs. Likewise, Lady Hartington hurried off to see to other preparations for the hunt. Henry was apparently in London again, so Isolde was left alone with Tatiana.
“Are you all right, Miss Fairchild?” Tatiana asked her. “You’ve seemed very quiet this morning. I must admit, I thought you would be happy to have Thaddeus home.”
Isolde gave her a small smile.
“I must admit to you, Lady Tatiana, that I sometimes find your brother a bit confusing. He seems to feel one way one moment but then will act completely differently the next. I have some trouble making him out.”
Isolde felt a pinch of nerves being so honest, even though she liked Tatiana, and she thought Tatiana liked her. The nerves dissipated quickly, however, when Tatiana laughed.
“Oh, don’t worry, Miss Fairchild! My brother is indeed a mystery at times, and he is certainly stubborn, and likes to do things in his own way on his own time. But I know him very well, and I know when he holds affection for someone. And I promise you that he certainly does hold affection for you.”
Isolde felt a shock ripple through her body at Tatiana’s words, as well as a blush spreading across her cheeks. She was sure Tatiana was mistaken and rushed to say so.
“Oh, I don’t believe that’s so, Lady Tatiana …”
Tatiana regarded her carefully for a long moment and then smiled.
