Cassian had left for his morning ride before dawn, the faint scent of leather and cold air lingering behind him in the chamber that they now readily shared. She had wrapped her shawl around her shoulders and gone downstairs with the intention of overseeing his breakfast herself, an entirely unnecessary task yet one she found herself willing to perform with soft, unbidden fondness.
She had just crossed the entrance hall when the bright, familiar voice rang out.
The words were full of mock outrage and unmistakable delight, spoken in the grandest tone of Lady Kendrick herself.
Isabella could not help but smile.
“Lady Kendrick!” she called, hurrying forward, skirts gathered delicately in her hand. “Or perhaps I should call you grandmama now?”
Lady Kendrick stopped mid-step, her footmen behind her loaded with parcels. Her eyes widened then crinkled with pure joy. “Oh, my dear child, you shall make me weep before I have even had my gloves removed.”
Isabella laughed softly, taking her arm. “You are not allowed to weep, not before breakfast at least.”
“Isabella,” Lady Kendrick sang, waving a hand dramatically. “Come, come, let us settle in one of the drawing rooms. I have returned with treasures, I assure you. A welcome befitting of the Duchess of Everthorne.”
The older woman whisked Isabella toward the nearest drawing room, the footmen shuffling behind with an alarming number of bags and hatboxes. Isabella stared, astonished.
“Good heavens,” she murmured, amused. “You appear to have purchased all of London.”
“That was the goal,” Lady Kendrick replied proudly. “I have failed only because my coach seats are limited.”
Isabella’s giggle filled the room as she followed her inside. Once the footmen filed out and the doors closed behind them, Lady Kendrick turned abruptly, grasping both of Isabella’s hands.
“Grandma?” Isabella asked, but Lady Kendrick’s expression changed in an instant, her eyes glistened, a soft tremble touching her lips as she looked up at Isabella.
Isabella stiffened. “Is something the matter?”
The older woman gave a watery laugh and dabbed her cheeks with a handkerchief quickly.
“Oh, heavens, do not fret, child. They are tears of joy, nothing more,” she said and grasped Isabella’s hand once more.
Still, Isabella’s heart beat wildly, worries spinning through her mind until Lady Kendrick squeezed her fingers, warmth seeping through her fingers.
“I am so very delighted things turned out this way,” she said, voice thick with emotion. “Ah no—that is not precisely what I meant.” She shook her head at herself, giggling a little before recovering her bearings.
“Forgive me. What I meant to say is, since the night of the fencing demonstration, I have coveted you as my granddaughter-in-law. Something about you appealed to me, the way you portray yourself, how you stand firm by your beliefs regardless of what others think.”
She paused and squeezed Isabella’s hands again. “I prayed relentlessly, that Cassian would open his stubborn eyes and see how absolutely wonderful you are … and thankfully he did.”
Isabella stared at her, stunned. “You—you wished for this? Even then?”
Lady Kendrick laughed, patting her cheek. “Of course, child. Although I hoped it would happen under more proper circumstances.”
Isabella colored fiercely.
“Do not blame yourself for failing to notice. I took great care to be discreet.”
Isabella’s smile wavered, touched with embarrassment and gratitude. She had known Lady Kendrick favored her greatly, but she’d been under the impression that it was her idea for the Laurel club that made it so.
“I had no idea.”
“And that,” Lady Kendrick said triumphantly, her shoulders high, “means I succeeded.” She released her hands only to begin opening the parcels on the table. “Now, come see what trifles I have brought you. One cannot be a duchess without the proper armor.”
Isabella leaned forward, intrigued, as Lady Kendrick unveiled an array of elegant gloves, soft kid-skin shoes, delicate bonnets trimmed in winter flowers, and jewels that sparkled faintly even under the muted daylight. Each gift seemed to have been chosen with precision, care, and a keen understanding of what would suit Isabella best.
As Lady Kendrick held up a pair of sapphire earrings, Isabella felt warmth unfurl in her chest, just in time for the older woman to lower her voice and say, “And I did hope all of this would distract you until my grandson?—”
A deep voice cut in from the doorway.
