“You have been very attentive,” he said, “and I of course thank you for it. But I must beg your forgiveness and ask you to leave, as I am very tired. In fact, I believe I shall cancel the rest of the hunt. I am not fit to entertain, let alone ride, and I don’t wish to keep my guests captive to my injury.”
“Oh, don’t be silly!” she exclaimed. “There’s no need for you to disappoint your guests like that. Everyone understands you are hurt and cannot be expected to entertain, but Reginald and I can surely step in.”
“I don’t think –” he started, but Vivienne cut him off.
“We’ll run everything by your mother, of course. She will still be in charge, and we’ll just be helping out. I’ve done all this before, you know, having been married. I’ll keep everything running smoothly, and you only have to rest.”
“Lady Bradshaw,” he said, and intended to argue, but his head was starting to feel like it might crack open, and he only wanted to close his eyes and rest.
“No need to thank me, My Lord,” she said, putting her hand on his. He resisted the urge to yank it away. “I’ll take care of everything.”
At that moment, all Thaddeus wanted was for her to go away.
“Very well,” he said, shifting his hand from under hers. “If you speak to my mother, and she wishes to continue the hunt with your help, then let it continue.”
“Wonderful!” Vivienne said, clapping her hands. He winced at the loud noise. Vivienne stood up. “I shall speak to her at once! And leave you to rest.”
Thank goodness, Thaddeus thought. She left, and the room was peaceful again, and he laid back and tried to soothe his throbbing head.
Chapter 21
Isolde had had a sleepless night. She’d spent the whole of yesterday building up her courage to return to Thaddeus’s room, reasoning to herself that if nothing else, she owed him an explanation.
And she felt that he, perhaps, owed her one in return. But when she’d finally slipped away as everyone milled about after dinner, she’d made it to Thaddeus’s room only to see Lady Bradshaw speaking to a maid outside his room and then dismissing the maid before going in herself.
All her courage had disappeared, and she’d gone back to her room dejected. She felt as though somehow Lady Bradshaw had swooped in and taken her place, and no one but her had noticed.
The thought tormented her, and she had tossed and turned all night, barely managing to sleep. She dragged herself to breakfast the next morning, feeling tired and out of sorts.
She focused on eating as quickly as she could, hoping that, as everyone divided into groups to entertain themselves after breakfast, she could sneak back to her room for a bit more sleep. The meal was just finishing, and people were starting to stand when Lady Bradshaw clapped her hands.
“Attention, everyone. If I could have your attention, please! Thank you. Now, I know we’re all devastated that our host has been injured and can no longer join the hunt. However, gracious host that he is, he would never wish to spoil everyone else’s fun.
That’s why he’s asked Lord Cassian and I, as two of his close acquaintances, to step in and help Lady Hartington make the rest of your visit a success.”
A few murmurs rose up around the room, and Isolde felt cold shock spreading through her.
Now he’s even asking her to step in on his behalf?
“Accordingly, we shall continue with all activities planned for today, starting with hunting for the men, of course, and a tour of the grounds for the ladies. We shall reconvene by the lake near the lodge for our long-overdue picnic. And then this evening after dinner, after everyone’s had the afternoon to rest, we shall have dancing.”
The murmuring grew a little louder and took on an excited tone. People were apparently eager to return to the fun they’d been anticipating when they came.
Isolde had been sitting near Cornelia and Annora, and she could feel both their eyes boring into her, but she didn’t look at them.She was focused on Lady Bradshaw. She stood and made her way over to the woman, mustering as much boldness as she could.
“Lady Bradshaw,” she said, tempering her tone as she knew others were paying attention, “you are so kind to offer your help, but I wouldn’t want you to feel burdened. I’m sure, as Lord Hartington’s fiancée, I could be expected to –” That was as far as she got before Lady Bradshaw interrupted.
“Oh, bless you, Miss Fairchild. Of course, you would want to help because you are so sweet.” Isolde was astonished at how sincere Lady Bradshaw sounded. And yet there was a dangerous gleam in her eyes, and Isolde well remembered the way she’d spoken to her in the yard by the hunting lodge.
“I don’t want you to trouble yourself, though, my dear,” Lady Bradshaw continued. “I know you won’t really have experience in these matters, whereas I have more than enough for both of us. So please don’t worry, you needn’t do a thing. I’ll take care of everything.”
Lady Bradshaw flashed her a sharp smile before turning away to practically flounce across the hall, leaving Isolde standing alone with burning cheeks. It was clear that Lady Bradshaw felt she could dismiss her as easily as that.
Isolde glanced around, and a few people were shooting looks her way, but most seemed to be readily accepting that Lady Bradshaw had stepped in and would act as the lady of the house.
Maybe she’s right, Isolde thought.After all, I don’t have any experience in these matters. Perhaps Thaddeus asked her because he didn’t think I could handle taking care of things.
Or maybe,something deep inside her whispered,he never even thought of you at all. He’s already decided that you don’t belong here. Maybe that’s why he proposed the plan in the first place, because he knew you couldn’t ever be what he needed.
