six
Anthony walked up the stairs towards his room, bothered by something else Grandmama had said. Patrick liked all the girls, and they liked him.
But he liked many girls at the same time, and he didn’t care whether they were married, engaged, widowed, or débutantes searching for a husband. The only honourable thing about his dissolute behaviour was that he always informed his paramours of his intentions, which meant no marriage and no romantic entanglements.
At least the ladies knew what to expect.
Isabella would be disappointed if she believed Patrick had serious intentions. But Anthony might be mistaken. Perhaps Patrick meant to court her properly. He hoped not.
“Anthony,” a voice whispered from a dark corner of the corridor.
“Isabella?”
“Lower your voice. Come here. Quick.” She gave him orders now.
He shouldn’t find that so enticing.
She waved at him from a nook in the wall, half hidden by the darkness.
“You’re lost,” he said.
“No, thank you. I could walk through this castle with a blindfold at night and find my bedroom without a moment of hesitation.”
He laughed; it was becoming a habit when she was around. “I would love to see that. I don’t know all the crannies and passages of the castle myself. What do you need?”
She became serious. “I just wanted to apologise.”
“I don’t remember you offending me.”
She worried at her lower lip. “My behaviour isn’t a reflection of my family. Do you know what I mean?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Helen would never embarrass you in front of other people.” Her tone changed into a low, grave one. “She’s well-mannered and sensible. She would never laugh too loudly or cover her face with cream.”
“You don’t embarrass anyone, Isabella, much less me. Don’t be ashamed of who you are.”
“I’m not ashamed. But I’m not like Helen, and if it were just me, I wouldn’t care, but I don’t want to hurt her or my family. I don’t want to be the cause of Helen’s unhappiness.”
He put a hand on his chest. “I promise you whatever you do, I won’t be embarrassed and my opinion of Helen won’t change.”
Her shoulders sagged. “Thank you. I can sleep now. I was so anxious.”
“If anything, I should apologise for having asked you about the ghost. I meant it as a jest, but Grandmama took the opportunity to scold you.”
She lifted a shoulder. “It doesn’t matter. It’s Helen I’m worried about.”
“Nothing has been decided yet.” He wanted her to know that.
At least officially nothing had been decided yet.
“That’s why I’m worried. I don’t want you to reject her because you would be ashamed of having me as your sister.”
On impulse, he held her hand. “I would never be ashamed of you.”
Her lips parted as she looked at his hand over hers. He released her, not without noticing how soft and silky her skin was.
“You should return to your bedroom,” he said in a more severe tone than he meant.
