Isabella took a deep breath as tears began to sting her eyes. While sheknewthere wasn’t any hope in speaking to Ridge, she couldn’t leave without trying to seek him out.
After a lengthy search, she found him standing at the edge of one of the bastions. His entire body was rigid, his shoulders stiff, as he glanced out over the crashing waves of the shore.
“I thought you didn’t care for heights.”
He hung his head and then turned to face her. He crossed his arms over his chest and lifted a dark brow. “Sometimes I’ve found we need to face our fears.”
Isabella wanted nothing more than to rush into his arms, but what would that do but prolong the agony of her upcoming departure? “I’m traveling to Hertfordshire this afternoon.”
“I heard.”
She waited for something more, some sort of emotion other than this cold detachment, but there was nothing. So she tried another tactic. “It looks as if I’m to be married.”
He didn’t even reply this time,simplynodded.
Isabella clenched her fists, irritation bubbling up within her. “Are younot evengoing to sayanything?”
His dark eyes swirled with emotion as he looked at her, but she didn’t know if it was annoyance, anger–-or something else entirely. “What am I supposed to say?”
Isabella swiftly inhaled, as pain exploded inside her chest, a small part of her heart cracking open to bleed pure misery. “I see.”
She turned around and began to walk away, but she paused when hespoke at last.“It’s out of my hands, Isabella. There isn’t anything I can do.”
She spun to face him once more. “Isn’t there?”
He shoved a hand through his hair, his patience obviously at an end. He stalked over to her and grasped her by the arms. “What is it that you expect from me?” he said harshly. “I never anticipated any of this. I never anticipatedyou.”
Her eyes roamed over his face. “So that’s your excuse?” She ripped herself out of his grasp and shook her head slowly, sadness overwhelming her. “I should have known youwouldbe no better than Simon.”
His eyes glittered ominously. “Don’t youdarecompare me to him. We are nothing alike.”
“Aren’t you?” she countered softly. “You both used me to suit your needs,and I’m the one who’s still paying the price.”
“Isabella,” heheaved a sigh. “Just listen to me—”
“Actually, I think I’ve heard enough.” She had to swallow over the lump in her throat when she said, “Goodbye, Mr. Claymoore.”
She walked away, her heart shredded as tearscourseddown her cheeks.
She yearned to leave this castle now, to never look upon that handsome face ever again, because if he couldn’t even fight for her, then why should she try to do the same for him?
That afternoon, it was a teary farewell as Isabella hugged Mrs. Hopper. “You didn’t hardly touch your food at luncheon, my lady,” she sniffed. “So I packed a sturdy repast for your journey.”
“Thank you,” Isabella whispered. “I’ll never forget you.”
“You better keep your word and write to me to let me know you made it home safely,” Ethel instructed.
“I will,” Isabella returned, although her family estate certainly didn’t feel like home anymore, butyet anotherprison where she must wait to carry out her sentence.
But since she refused to dwell on such maudlin thoughts right now, she climbed into the carriage across from Claudia. Lord Liverpool was kind enough to offer the use of his carriage, as well as Mr. Hopper,who would drive them to their destination.
Isabella watched as Mr. Montgomery mounted his horse, for Liverpool was sending him along as extra protection. Until Simon was captured, he was still a threat to her safety, and the earl wasn’t taking any chancesthey could be set upon during their journey.
As the coach set into motion, Isabella didn’t look back at the castle to see if Ridge was there, standing and watching her depart. He was thesinglepersonwho hadn’t bothered to join the others in wishing her a safe journey.
“Are you well, my lady?”
Isabella glanced over at her maid and forced a smile. “I will be, Claudia.” She looked out the window and whispered, “I will be.”
