Isabella entered like a whirlwind, and what little control she had managed was lost at the sight of Catherine. The young woman dissolved into tears. Catherine hurried to her side, guiding her to a seat.
“Bella, whatever is the matter?” she asked.
“Your Grace,” Isabella began, her voice trembling, “I beg you forgive this intrusion so early, but I knew nowhere else to turn.”
“Has something happened?”
The younger woman’s lips quivered before she found her words.
“My father has… he has forbidden me from seeing Jeremy again,” her voice broke on his name. “He says he has heard things. Ugly, cruel things about his conduct, his debts, his reputation—” She faltered, looking down at her tightly clasped hands. “He says Jeremy is not a fit suitor.”
Catherine’s heart softened. “I am sorry,” she said gently. “I have gained some idea what he must mean to you, from seeing the two of you together.”
The young lady’s eyes brimmed with tears. “He has become a very great deal to me. I am extremely fond of him, and… it is so very unfair! He is kind and noble, whatever others may say. I know it to be so!”
Catherine listened sympathetically.
“There, there, Bella. We will find a solution. Perhaps if Jeremy could speak to your father…”
Isabella shook her head decisively. “He will not receive him! He says that he has made up his mind and will not allow him to step over the threshold. Worse still, he has resolved to arrange a marriage for me. I cannot marry a stranger!”
Catherine hugged her, cut to the quick by the plaintive look of fear on her open and innocent face. She knew that terror well. Hadn’t she taken extreme measures to avoid it herself?
“Do not worry about that. As long as I draw breath, I will not let you be forced into a marriage that you do not want.”
“I am sorry, Catherine. I have brought trouble to your door, and you barely know me! I was desperate, but how can I put you at odds with my father? I should not have come here. I should not put you in this predicament…”
“Nonsense! We may not have known each other for very long, but you could be a complete stranger, and I would help you. I have been in a similar situation and would not wish it upon any woman. Do not worry, Bella, you are safe here. I will speak to him,” she promised softly, “we shall contrive something.”
Catherine left Isabella to take some breakfast and tea, having learned that the young woman had left her own breakfast and practically dashed out of her father’s house. Blackmere Hall was less than two miles from Caerleon. Catherine was only glad that the weather had been clement and Isabella had not attempted to run the entire distance.
She hurried to Aaron’s study, looking for him. The door opened as she raised her hand to knock. Aaron looked surprised, but it quickly became a broad smile that transformed his face.
Did I really once think that he looked savage? Wild? His face is warm, expressive and kind. And so very handsome.
“Catherine! Am I so late for breakfast?”
“Not at all, but I have something I need to ask. A… small favor.”
Aaron frowned, stepping back into the room to allow Catherine to enter. He closed the door behind her as she walked in and stopped in the middle of the room. She turned and looked at him with no little anxiety.
“We have received a visitor. Isabella Merrick from Blackmere Hall. She is in a dreadful state. Her father has forbidden her from seeing Lord Everdon. He does not think him a suitable fiancé, and…”
Catherine found tears welling up. It was too close to her own situation. The fear was too real. The bitter taste of it in her mouth.
Aaron crossed the room, taking her in his arms. She nestled against his broad chest, feeling his arms holding her tightly. A feeling of safety seeped into her. Her concerns fled from the strength of his embrace. They became as insubstantial as mist.
“He will make her marry someone of his own choice,” she finished.
“Ah, I see,” he replied softly.
“I could not tolerate it. Not to someone as young and innocent as she. I could not stand by and let her be parceled up and sold off. Like… like livestock! Not when I know how it feels!”
She looked up at him as he gazed back. Truthfully, she expected the same response that she had received from him that night at Spencer’s. Instead, she saw compassion in his face now.
“Of course not. But how are we to prevent it? We cannot keep her here. Her father has the right to demand her return if she is under the age of one-and-twenty.”
“I thought perhaps we could invite Lord and Lady Blackmere for dinner. Invite Lord Everdon too. Let them see him and come to know him.”
