“It does.” He clenched his teeth. “We saw plenty of battlefields after the battle was over. I’ll spare you the details, but the carnage remained impressed in my memories. And then my parents died. My Father never had the chance to be the duke. My grandfather died after him, and then I inherited the title. I feel guilty as if I robbed my father of his rights. And I wasn’t ready to be the duke. I’m not ready now. I don’t want to be the duke.”
“I understand now. Only laughter will keep the darkness away.” She touched his hand briefly, and once again, her compassion and spontaneity surprised him.
A knot of emotion lodged in his throat. “You give me hope.”
If it was something inappropriate to say because he’d known her for too short a time to say it, he didn’t give a damn.
“I wish you didn’t feel so alone because you aren’t. Your brother and grandmother care about you and need you.” She touched his hand again.
He didn’t know what to say, but she didn’t prompt him for an answer, which he appreciated because the turmoil within him didn’t make sense.
They resumed walking down the corridor lit only by the moonlight, but with her at his side, it was like walking in the sunshine. No one had ever subverted his mood so quickly and deeply as Isabella. She was like a storm that had come without warning, only to sweep him off his feet and shake the very core of his being. She made his physician look like an amateur.
He slowed down once at the end of the corridor. “That door over there opens to your room.”
She put a hand on the narrow door. “Are you sure? My door is a lot wider.”
He pushed the door open. “This is a secondary door concealed under the wallpaper.”
She entered her bedroom and examined the door. “Crikey.”
He was careful to remain out of her bedroom. He had already gone too far with her. Not that he regretted the time they’d spent together, but he didn’t want to worry her.
“Well, good night, Anthony.” She was about to shut the door.
“Wait. May I ask you something?” Again, he’d acted on impulse.
“Of course.”
He hesitated, worried she might say no. “Would you come with me to Maiden Hill?”
She squeezed his hand. “Of course.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning then, on the top of the hill.”
She nodded. “I had a lovely time, and thank you for your kindness, Anthony.”
No, he should thank her.
She had no idea what a great present she’d given him.
