When Vivienne looked up and saw him, she grabbed Cassian’s arm, and they both went quiet.
“No need to stop on my account,” he said bitterly, turning to leave them to it.
“Stop what?” Vivienne asked, too brightly. She followed him. “How are you, My Lord? I hope your recovery is holding. We must plan to continue the dance that was interrupted.”
Thaddeus thought even for her that was a little too forward and too callous.
“Excuse me,” he said. “I have no time to speak with you, as I’m looking for Isolde.”
“Do you think that’s wise, My Lord?” Vivienne asked sweetly, and he stopped, amazed that she was still trying to engage in conversation with him. He turned to her.
“Why not?” he asked, his tone icy.
“I only meant …” Vivienne seemed to hesitate. “Perhaps she prefers to be alone in her grief. She seems the type.”
“Does she?” Thaddeus asked. Perhaps Vivienne sensed danger because she didn’t answer. “I think, Lady Bradshaw, that you have misunderstood a good many things, the character of my fiancée being one of them. So you’ll forgive me if I don’t take your advice. Good day.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and went in search of Isolde.
Chapter 27
Annora and Cornelia had joined Isolde in her room. Isolde was comforting Cornelia, and Annora was doing her best to comfort them both. Cornelia had been with Isolde and their father when he died, so Isolde had not yet had a moment alone to process her grief.
She was focusing on Cornelia, because so long as she did that, she felt relatively sure she would not break down into tears.
There was a knock on the door, and Annora went to answer it. She asked who it was, and Isolde’s attention was caught by Thaddeus’s voice. Annora looked back at Isolde, her eyes asking a silent question, and Isolde nodded for her to let him in.
“My greatest condolences to you, Miss Fairchild, and you as well, Miss Cornelia.” For a moment, Thaddeus seemed to focus on Cornelia. “I met your brother in the hallway and already told him this, but I shall tell you as well – should either of you need anything during this time, please ask. I shall do everything in my power to get it for you.”
“Thank you, Lord Hartington,” Cornelia said, before she looked away, eyes filling anew with tears. Thaddeus turned his eyes to Isolde.
“Miss Fairchild, would it be possible to speak with you alone for just one moment?” Isolde looked up into his eyes and felt herself start to crumble. She longed to ask him to hold her again, but she could not. Speaking with him alone felt dangerous.
She glanced at Cornelia. Surely he could not object if she said that she couldn’t leave her sister at the moment. That was true and felt like the safest choice.
“Don’t worry, I’ll stay with her,” Annora said gently, taking away her only excuse.
Isolde nodded and stood.
“We can speak in the hallway,” she said to Thaddeus, and he nodded, following her out. She tried not to think about the hallway conversation they’d had earlier. It had only been a few hours, yet it felt a lifetime ago.
“I am so sorry, Miss Fairchild,” he said as soon as they were alone. “I wish I could have saved you from this pain.”
Isolde didn’t know what to say to that, so she just whispered, “Thank you.” And then they stood, the silence between them growing deafening. Finally, he broke it.
“Is there anything you need, or want? Anything at all? Just say the word, and you shall have it.” He looked very sincere, his warm brown eyes focusing on her. He seemed desperate to do something to help, and she wished she had something to ask him that he could give her.
Then she realized there was something, but she wasn’t sure if she dared ask it. She looked up into his face and decided to chance it.
“I think there’s only one thing I need, Lord Hartington,” she said. “I need time, to grieve my father, to think through things. To help my family sort out what our lives will be now.” She took a deep breath. “I know that I agreed to come here, that we had a plan, but I cannot think of any of that right now. You, and marriage, and finding a love match –”
“I understand,” he cut in, his voice soft and gentle.
“I need to go home,” she whispered. He clenched his jaw, and something in his eyes made her think he was going to refuse. But then it was gone, and he simply nodded.
“I understand,” he said again. Then he reached out and very carefully took one of her hands. “I meant what I said to your sister. If there is anything at all that you, any of you, should need during this time, please ask for my assistance. I shall get it for you, whatever it takes.”
He said it like a plea, like he was begging her to allow him to be of help. He let go of her hand and stepped back.
