“I meant, what are you doing with Miss Isolde Sylvaine?”
His lungs seized.
He slowly turned to look at his sister.
Her expression wasn't wholly judgmental. It was also worried, and soft, and a little frightened.
That's when he knew that confusion and desperation were likely written all over his face.
Which made him furious, which was how he felt any time he felt exposed.
He turned abruptly away again. How and why did she suspect anything?
Did anyoneelsesuspect anything?
He loathed worrying his sister.
How he wished to God he dared confide in her.
The only person to whom he’d ever confided his real worries was Isolde.
“She's very amiable, Isaiah, isn't she?” Diana went on brightly, in a rush. “Miss Isolde Sylvaine. Her manners and her sister’s manners are a bit, ah...lively. But she's a good girl and a good person.” She said all of this gently, but firmly.
They both knew the unspoken end of the that sentence was: ...and that's all she is.
She hadn't money, a title, or a particularly distinguished family name. She would elevate no one's stature or fortunes. No Redmond would evenconsidersuch a match.
And if he was a gentleman—if he was a genuinely decent man—he would not trifle with Miss Sylvaine. That was Diana’s implication.
Especially since his own engagement was presumed imminent, and there would be no recovering from the social disaster of jilting the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s daughter.
Barring road accidents or highwaymen, Fanchette would likely arrive this afternoon.
He knew his sister was by way of giving him a verbal shake, as though he'd inadvertently taken opium and needed sobering.
How on earth had she noticed? Had he been obvious, after all?
Or was it merely a passing suspicion? His thoughts roiled.
He was forcefully reminded that everything he did reflected on her, and their family. Everything he did influenced her opportunities in the world.
And she was already so uncertain of them. His stomach felt leaden.
“I know,” he said quietly. “I know she is a good person.”
He couldn’t meet his sister’s eyes.
“I’m very much looking forward to seeing Miss Tarbell,” Diana added more cheerfully, still firmly. “I’m sure she’ll be the most beautiful girl at the Assembly and all of our friends here in Pennyroyal Green will be quite in awe of her.”
After a moment Isaiah said, quietly, “No doubt.”
Isolde released a long,shuddering breath as the door of the hall closed behind Isaiah and his sister. She feared her heart might explode like a firework.
If she was not mistaken, whatever was happening between her and Mr. Redmond had nearly just ignited into something from which there would be no return.
How on earth had it come to this point? The momentum seemed dizzying yet inevitable, as though the two of them were at the mercy of a natural law. There was no turning around mid-air when one decides to take a flying leap, after all.
She was uncertain what to do now. She’d earlier agreed with Maria that she would meet her at the foot of the Redmond’s drive just before noon, since they would be approaching from opposite ends of town. It was a short enough walk for both of them.
