Thomas grasped Isabella’s hand and pressed it hard against his lips. “Isabella,” he said breathlessly. “Oh, my dear, wonderful, darling sister. I am delighted. Simply delighted.”
Isabella smiled with relief. His ready acceptance of her as his sister helped banish a bit of the loneliness and feeling of inadequacy that had haunted her whenever she was in the presence of her family. It was such a welcome change to be wanted by one’s relations instead of barely tolerated.
“Thank you, Thomas.” Isabella blushed and pulled back slightly from his hand. “You are very kind.”
“My sweet Bella, I am exuberant—nay, I am giddy with excitement.” Lord Poole jumped up from the sofa and paced the room with restless energy. “We must make plans. Can we leave today? No, perhaps it will be best to start out early tomorrow morning. Shall we head straight to London, or travel to my country seat? It is still early enough in the Season to spend a week or two in the country before arriving in London. You will be an instant success, I am certain. Of course, we must have a complete wardrobe made for you first. Would you like to go to Paris for your gowns? I would dearly love to see you dressed in the very latest fashions.”
Lord Poole paused a moment in his pacing, and Isabella looked up at him, her eyes wide. She had long suspected that Thomas would want her to leave The Grange, but she was unprepared for the extent of control he seemed determined to wield over her future.
Isabella mastered the shock she was feeling. “I am deeply flattered by your offer, Thomas, but I must insist you temper your enthusiasm. I cannot imagine traveling to London with you, let alone Paris. And a season in London? It is out of the question. I am twenty-five years old, far too advanced in years to be making my entree into society. Besides, how would I be introduced? As your newly discovered bastard half sister? It would be scandalous.”
Isabella watched the light of excitement dim in Lord Poole’s eyes. “You are right to scold me, Bella. I have gone off half-cocked without considering your feelings. We must plan your introduction to society very carefully. I will not tolerate even a hint of scandal touching your name.”
“I am not interested in entering society,” Isabella quietly insisted.
“Nonsense. The beau monde will adore you. I will open up a world beyond your dreams, Bella, a world that has been unfairly denied to you.” Lord Poole suddenly went very still. “Bath! I will take you to Bath! It is a far less rigid environment, and the season does not begin until late summer. It will give you time to acquire a new wardrobe and refine your manners. Not that they need much study, but a few hints and tricks from me will make you feel more confident. I am certain you will be the focus of attention and admiration wherever we go. Most who gather at Bath are gentry, but many of the nobility also attend the assemblies and twice weekly balls. It is the ideal solution!”
“No, Thomas,” Isabella said, keeping her voice strong and steady. “I cannot imagine myself sitting among the matrons of polite society, drinking the waters and exchanging the latest on-dits with the fashionable world.”
“Please don’t make a rash decision, Bella,” Lord Poole said, earnestly regarding her. “Promise me you will consider this very carefully before deciding.”
Isabella rested her hands at her sides and looked tranquilly at her brother, relieved to see the unbridled zeal had left his eyes.
“I promise to think about everything you have suggested,” Isabella said. “But I will not leave The Grange without giving the earl proper notice. You must agree not to press this issue with me.”
Lord Poole smiled fleetingly in her direction. “As you wish.”
Isabella lowered her eyes. It was clear Thomas possessed a great deal of self-discipline. He behaved with perfect correctness, showing her deference, yet Isabella could see he was displeased.
It seemed that her newly discovered brother wanted her to become a glittering jewel in the crown of high society, a sparkling gem among the privileged. He wanted to cosset and protect her and also, Isabella suspected, treat her more as a fragile doll than an intelligent woman. The idea was unappealing and unrealistic. Isabella took a deep breath and absently rubbed her temples. Her headache had returned.
Chapter Twenty-two
“No, Ian, we cannot go in there. Father and Jenkins told us we must leave Miss Browning alone today.”
Isabella glanced up from the book she had been staring at for the past half hour and saw Catherine and Ian hovering in the library doorway. Catherine had been speaking to Ian in a loud, childish whisper, but Isabella clearly heard her remarks.
“Children,” Isabella said, smiling warmly at them, “please come in.”
Isabella placed her book on a nearby table and waited expectantly as Catherine and Ian cautiously entered the room, hand in hand.This is exactly what I need,Isabella decided. Shutting herself away all morning had caused her to dwell overlong on her problems, and no matter how hard she tried, her brain would not be stilled from the difficult decisions she faced.
“We aren’t supposed to disturb you,” Catherine said. “It will make Father cross.”
Ian nodded his head in vigorous agreement.
“You are not disturbing me,” Isabella insisted, welcoming the children as both company and distraction. Patting the love seat next to her, Isabella gestured for the children to be seated. “Tell me what you have been doing all morning.”
“We went for a ride with Father, and then Jenkins took us up to see Maggie and the new baby. The baby was sleeping, but Maggie let me rub her back. Ian did too. She felt very soft.”
Isabella focused her complete attention on Catherine as the child continued describing the morning activities, successfully pushing the tumultuous events of the past twenty-four hours from her mind.
“It certainly seems as if you have had a busy morning. Would you like me to read you a story?” Isabella volunteered. She stood up and began searching the library shelves for an appropriate book.
“We’d rather go on an adventure, Miss Browning,” Ian exclaimed.
“An adventure?” Isabella smiled and placed the book firmly back upon the shelf. “What sort of an adventure did you have in mind, Ian?”
“We want to hunt for treasure,” Ian said, swinging his legs restlessly.
