“Ah well,” Crowley said, giving an exaggerated sigh. “That is a shame for your sister. Once we have all returned home, your father will announce our engagement.”
Isolde swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. She had promised herself not to engage with Lord Crowley anymore, for good reason.
“Excuse me, Lord Crowley,” she said. “I should return to my cousin and Lord Henry.” She took her plate of pie and practically ran back toward their blanket, hoping that Lord Henry’s name would be enough to deter Crowley from following her. Glancing back, she saw he was watching her still but had remained at the table. Breathing a sigh of relief, she slowed down to a more decorous speed.
She couldn’t slow her pounding heart, however. Crowley’s words clung to her, and she couldn’t help thinking that perhaps she was making the wrong choice. After all, Thaddeus did not seem to want her.
She had been grateful that he saved her from marrying Crowley, but that had been before Cornelia had been dragged into this situation – and before he had seemingly grown so close to Lady Bradshaw.
Perhaps it would solve everyone’s problems if she simply accepted Crowley’s offer. It would keep him away from Cornelia and free Thaddeus to marry whomever he liked. It would make everyone happy – except her.
As she approached their blanket, Annora looked up and smiled at her. Isolde nearly caught her breath at how happy her cousin looked, and she felt a sudden, overwhelming wave of jealousy sweep over her.
Faced with such proof that a true love match could exist, Isolde realized that she did not want to give up on the chance to find that for herself. She did not want to give up on her own happiness. Not quite yet.
***
It was late afternoon when Isolde returned to her room. The three of them had lingered at the lake, the last ones to go in, and the longer they’d talked, the lighter Isolde had felt. It might be foolish of her, but until she was sure there was no chance for her to marry for love, she would keep trying.
She hurried to dress for dinner, thinking if she were fast enough, there would be time to go and see Thaddeus beforehand.
She surveyed herself in the mirror and could not help wondering if Thaddeus would find her pretty in her gown. She was putting on her favorite necklace when there was a knock on the door.
“Izzy, are you in there?” came Cornelia’s voice.
“Yes, come in!” Isolde called. She wondered if Cornelia needed help with some final touch for the ball. But when her sister entered the room, she could see right away that she’d been crying.
“Cornelia, what is it?” she cried, hurrying to give her sister a hug.
“Oh Izzy,” Cornelia said, and burst into tears. She hugged Isolde tightly and sobbed, mumbling into Isolde’s shoulder. “Father’s told me it’s done. He’s promised me to Lord Crowley, and they’ll announce once we all leave here.”
Isolde tightened her arms around her sister and held her until she stopped crying. Then she guided her to the bed and helped her wash her face.
“I know it seems hopeless right now,” she said, sitting on the bed and wrapping her arms around Cornelia once more. “But nothing is done until it’s done. I haven’t given up, and you mustn’t give up, either. I won’t let Lord Crowley marry you, no matter what it takes.”
And she vowed to herself that if need be, she would accept Crowley’s offer – but she wasn’t going to do that unless she must. She was wondering if she had time still to speak to Thaddeus when the dinner gong sounded. Talking with Thaddeus would have to wait until after dinner.
“Come on,” she said, tugging Cornelia to her feet. “We’ll feel better after we eat.” She hooked her arm through Cornelia’s, giving her sister a smile.
“Thank you, Izzy,” Cornelia said, holding her tightly. “I hope it really will work out okay.”
Me too,Isolde thought desperately.Me, too.
Chapter 22
Thaddeus awoke the next day feeling much better and ravenous with hunger. He contemplated going down for breakfast, but he had slept late, and breakfast had already been served to everyone else.
Besides, though he was feeling better, he didn’t yet feel up to conversation or having everyone’s eyes on him. So he had his manservant bring him breakfast in his room.
“Many people were asking about you, My Lord,” the man said as he laid out the food. “Shall I let people in today, or shall I keep turning them away?”
“Keep them away for the morning, thank you,” he replied. “Anyone who is asking may visit this afternoon.” He decided that was best, allowing himself a bit more time to rest. And perhaps if that went well, tomorrow he would rejoin the others for their meals.
It would be the last day of the hunt, and while he couldn’t yet ride again, he could perhaps at least close out the week as host.
Plus, he had started to feel anxious about what might be happening under his roof – how Vivienne might be managingthings, for one, but also wondering if Isolde had found a gentleman that she liked.
Perhaps that’s why she never came back.
