He could bet Patrick had instructed her not to look alarmed at the scar.
“Alas, we know very little about you,” Grandmama said. “We didn’t even know you were coming.”
If Sophia was annoyed by Grandmama’s tone, she didn’t give any sign. “My fault. It was a last moment’s decision, and I insisted on coming here. After all, if we want to discuss the negotiation on Maiden Hill, we ought to see each other.”
Patrick kissed her hand and stared at her in awe. “Sophia has our cause at heart. She’s so compassionate and lovely, she understands our struggle.”
To his surprise, Sophia returned the lovey-dovey stare with matching devotion. For a moment, they got lost in each other’s stare as if they were alone in the world.
Grandmama exchanged a glance with him. He could hear her thoughts. Was it the first time Patrick had fallen in love?
He’d endured the usual pleasantries and polite exchanges with Sophia and Patrick, controlling his need to speak to his brother for almost an hour until he locked himself in his study with Patrick.
Not to mention Isabella was angry with him. He’d planned to tell her about Patrick at the right time but hadn’t found it. Or maybe he hadn’t wanted to. Speaking about the truth meant to bring tension and unhappiness between them.
“I hope you’re as happy as I am, brother.” Patrick sprawled on the armchair and stretched out his long legs. “Maiden Hill will return to our family soon. With a bit of luck, we might celebrate Christmas there. Imagine, our house restored. And hell, Anthony, Sophia is everything for me…” His voice turned serious. “She’s as strict as Grandmama, fierce as a warrior, and gives me a sense of purpose, a direction. Does that make sense?”
Anthony propped himself on the desk, too restless to sit. “Right now, I care only about one thing. Isabella.”
“Of course. I understand.” Patrick snatched a glass of lemonade from the table. “Grandmama told me Isabella was terribly sick but didn’t specify anything. Not even you told me exactly what happened.”
“She suffered a miscarriage.” He did his best to stay calm.
That got Patrick’s attention. “Dammit, Anthony. I had no idea. I’m sorry.”
“You should be because the child was yours.” He couldn’t completely remove the tension from his voice.
Patrick stopped sipping. He remained frozen in shock for a moment before letting out a nervous chuckle. “Not possible.”
“Do you deny having had an encounter with Isabella?”
Patrick placed the glass on the table and stood up. “I did have an encounter with Isabella. It was nothing serious.” He glanced at Anthony before continuing. “But it was well before you and she got married. I had no idea you were interested in her. Hell, it happened before you decided to get married.”
“Exactly.”
“What do you mean by—” Patrick paled and scratched his chin.
“She married me because she was with child, your child, while you vanished, leaving the chaos you caused behind.”
Patrick held up his hands. “I had no idea she was with child. She didn’t tell me anything.”
“Should she have told you everything in a letter or a wire?”
Patrick swallowed a few times. “Anthony, I didn’t know. Had I known, I would have done something.”
“Marry her?”
“Yes!” Patrick straightened. For the first time, Anthony saw a strong resemblance between them. “I’m not completely despicable. If she was sure the child was mine?—”
“What the hell do you mean by that?” Anthony moved before he realised he did. All the frustration he’d bottled up in past months burst out. He grabbed Patrick by his jacket. He’d spent his life protecting his little brother, and he didn’t regret it, but this time, defending Patrick wasn’t possible. “She nearly died.”
Patrick parted his lips, but before he could speak, there was a quick knock on the door.
“Anthony, I wanted—” Isabella swept into view, cheeks flushed. “What’s going on here? Anthony, release him immediately.”
He did as told but didn’t step back from Patrick.
“Is this why you asked him to come? To manhandle him?” She gazed from one brother to the other. “What’s happening?”
