Chapter Twenty-Two
Isabella stood at the parlor window and held back the threat of acidic tears as she saw Ridge ride away, a slight bit of dust kicking up at his departure.
“Isabella.” Reluctantly, she turned back to where her mother sat stiffly on the burgundy velvet settee and held a cup of tea. “Your father will be here any moment. We shouldn’t wish to keep him waiting.”
Knowing there was no use arguing, Isabella did as she was bid,and satacross from her mother. The marchioness poured her a cup of tea, but while Isabella held it in her grasp, she wasn’t interested indrinking it. Her dreams for a happy ending had just been dashed upon the rocks likea wrecked ship.
Thankfully, her father entered the room, and she found something else to focus on. “My dear girl.”
Tears stung Isabella’s eyes as they embraced. She’d always been more comfortable speaking with him, because they were so much alike.Ever since she was a little girl, she’d loved his bushy moustache, which had turned from dark to salt-and-pepper over the years.
“I’m relieved to see you looking so well after suffering such travails.”
“Travails thatsheinitially brought down upon herself,” her mother was quick to point out with a decided sniff. “If it weren’t for your unruly nature,Isabella,we would still be in London at this very moment, preparing for the upcoming autumn entertainments.”
“Alice, that’s enough.”
It wasn’t often that Isabella had heard her father take such afirm tone with her mother, but it generally wasn’t without good reason. She was glad that he used it now, for the marchioness pursed her lips together and said no more.
As Lord Ashfieldtook a place beside his wife, he looked across at his daughter. “I’m sure you know by now that Lord Liverpool paid a call on us and explained the recent…developments of your nonexistent marriage.” At Isabella’s nod, he said, “I believe that I may have found a solution to this unfortunate situation you find yourself in. Lord Barnaby is willing to overlook this slight error–”
Isabella couldn’t hear anymore. She held up her hand and pleaded, “Stop.” She took along,deep breath and pushed forward when he remained silent. “I’m sorry to have put you both through so much in the past few weeks, but trust me when I say it hasn’t been easy on me either. I thought Simon’s affections were genuine, but I was wrong. I admit that. But Icannotagree to another loveless union.”
Her father sighed heavily. “I don’t see any way around it if you are to be accepted in polite society.”
Thiswaswhere shewould layall her cards on the table, and pray for a winning hand. “Perhaps I don’t intend to return to London. Ever.”
“How can you say something so preposterous?” her mother blurted,unable to remain silent no longer. “Of course you must do your duty as a Resenfeld.”
Isabella threaded her hands together and dared to plunge forward. “That might be rather difficult to do if I’m in America.”
Silence. Then her mother demanded, “Is this some sort of a jest? If so, I don’t find it very amusing.”
Isabella glanced at her. “I’m not laughing, am I?”
“You’re serious about this?”came her father’s gruff voice.
She turned her attention back to her father. “Yes. I am. I have the dowry that Simon stole. If you will permit me to keep it, it will give me a rather decent start in New York.”
Her mother’s face turned almost purple with rage as she rose to her feet. “This is all that Aberswyth girl’s doing, isn’t it? Filling your head with all sorts of nonsensical ramblings!” She pointed her finger at her husband. “I told you it wasn’t a good idea for Isabella to rub elbows with such a bold, forward-thinking young woman.”
“It’s not Korina’s fault, Mama.” Isabella felt it was necessary to defend her friend since she wasn’t there to do it. “I’ve made this decision on my own.” Maybe that was a small, white lie, but she wouldn’tdareexplain about the secret pact that she had made with her friends. “I want to explore someplace different…somewhere newwithout all the strictures placed upon me here.”
“Soyoucanmuddlethat up as well and come crawling back home when you’ve lost all respectability?” Isabella jerked at her mother’s harsh words, for they were as effective as a slap in the face. “You’re wrong, Isabella. You believe that you are embarking on this fabulous journey, when it will be nothing more than another disappointment.”
At last, her father sighed. Isabella looked up, hoping that he might see things her way, but instead, he said rather grimly, “I fear your mother is right on that score, my dear. America is undoubtedly a wonderful place, but it has had a government for a short time, whereas England is steeped in history and order. Perhaps someday you will be fortunate enough to visit, but this is your home, where the daughter of a marquess belongs and who should be married to someone befitting her lineage.”With that, hestoodand shifted his gaze away. “I’m sorry, but I can’t permit you to embark on this endeavor. I will message Lord Barnaby and let him know the ceremony will take place at Ashfield Hall by the week’s end.”
Isabella watched her father walk away with a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. “I hope that puts an end to all of this foolish talk,” her mother snapped. “Now go upstairs and rest before dinner. You’re looking pale,and Ishouldn’t wish you to catch anague beforethe wedding.”
Dismissed, Isabella stood and left the room. But as she climbed the stairs to her chamber, she felt nothing more than acalm resolve.
She nowknewwhat must be done.
While she would have preferred to have herparents’approval, she intended to follow through on her original plan and go to New York. She had already passed the age of majority, and since she no longer had to wait for her trust to be released to her on her twenty-fifth birthday, the funds from her dowry already sitting in the bottom of her trunk, it appeared that she was an independent woman of means.
Thesingle remainingissue at this point, would be if she could make the arrangements within the next day or two and board a ship for America before her whereabouts were discovered. Until she was free on open water, her father’s word was law—unless she was married, and then her husband ruled.
Isabella clenched her fists, determined not to be another helpless female in a world ruled by men. She had survived the Smuggler’s City, so shewas confident shecouldmanagein the New World.
