“I…” Patrick stroked his chin.
The Dowager pinched the bridge of her nose.
“Yes?” Sophia’s tone was sharp.
“Hell.” Patrick ran a hand through his hair. “The truth is that I’m a shallow, despicable man.”
“What is he doing?” Isabella whispered.
“I’ve never had to work hard or take anything seriously because my elder brother has always been there for me, to protect me. I had the money and power but not the responsibility of being the next duke. Yes, I treated Isabella beastly. I’m a scoundrel, a rake, and a cheat, but I’m not lying when I say I love you. I know that because your happiness is essential to mine, because you hold my soul, and that’s the beginning and the end of my world. I want to be a better person for you, and I want you to be next to me when I make a mistake because I know you’ll help me correct my ways.”
Sophia’s composure slouched a little. “How can I trust you?”
“Try me. Ask me to do something for you, and I will do it.”
Isabella held her breath. That was a bold statement on Patrick’s part.
Sophia tilted her chin up. “Would you renounce Maiden Hill for me? Marry me but never, ever see Maiden Hill again?”
Anthony muttered a curse the Dowager didn’t chide.
Isabella shook her head. That was a low blow. Whatever Patrick said, he would lose Maiden Hill.
Silence as thorny as the firethorn’s spikes spread.
Patrick shifted his weight and attempted to glance over his shoulder to where they were hidden. But then he straightened and faced Sophia.
“No.” His determined reply cut through the silence. “I love you, Sophia, but Maiden Hill belongs to my family with the precious memories it holds for us. I can’t give it up. Not even for you.”
Anthony grinned, nodding. The Dowager remained unfathomable, as usual.
Even through the leaves, Sophia’s sudden pallor was evident. Either she was angry or disappointed.
“Then you don’t love me,” Sophia said, turning around.
“She’s leaving.” Isabella clenched her fists before coming out of her hiding place. “Sophia!”
Sophia stopped right next to Hero. “Isabella. Were you eavesdropping on my conversation with Patrick?”
“As you eavesdropped on my conversation with Helen.”
Sophia had the decency to blush.
“I won’t interfere with your personal relationship with Patrick, but I don’t want to lose Maiden Hill because of your personal quarrel with him.”
Sophia folded her arms over her chest. “Patrick is an indecisive and weak man.”
“Patrick has just shown you he’s ready to sacrifice his feelings for you to honour his family. This isn’t the act of a weak man. You should have been appalled if he’d agreed to your blackmail.”
“It wasn’t blackmail.” Sophia lost her confident attitude. “It was…”
Isabella arched her eyebrows, trying to imitate the Dowager. “It was blackmail. Maiden Hill might be simply a house to you, but for us, it’s the place where the memories of our loved ones are resting. It’s part of our family, given away in a moment of extreme pain.” She took a step closer to Sophia. “Anthony’s grandfather sold it because he was heartbroken. He was hurt, and your father took advantage of that pain for revenge, acquiring the house with a stratagem. Your father behaved dishonourably, causing more pain to the late duke. Tell me, Sophia, are you proud of that? Of the way your father took advantage of a man’s broken heart to spite him? A man who was grieving the loss of his son and daughter.”
Sophia lowered her gaze. As the sun set, the shadow of Hero crept over Sophia, turning her burgundy gown into a dull grey.
Isabella continued. “You have the power to right a wrong that has tormented my family for too long. It’s your choice. You can end this quarrel right here, right now.”
Hero’s shadow fully engulfed Sophia who looked tiny compared to the tall and proud statue.
