She wanted to say the duke didn’t care about that, but that would lead to another argument and questions she couldn’t answer. “How did it go with the duke?”
Helen lost some of her radiance. “I don’t know. I did my best to please him and show him we could get along well, but he seemed annoyed by my answers for some reason. I’m not sure. I don’t understand him.”
“Did you behave as I’d told you?” Mother asked.
“I did. I followed your instructions to the letter.” An annoyed note crept in Helen’s tone. “As always.”
“Perhaps stop being so agreeable and tell him what you think about everything,” Father said. “He seems to appreciate honesty.”
“Pish.” Mother shook her head. “Don’t do that, Helen. A man like the duke doesn’t want to hear his wife’s opinion. He desires a proper lady with refined manners, able to provide him with a strong heir. That’s it, and thank goodness for that.”
“That sounds atrocious,” Isabella said. “Helen won’t be anything more than cattle.”
“Quite the opposite. It means freedom to her. The moment she gives the duke an heir and a spare, she’ll be free to do as she pleases. He’ll live his boring life of meetings at Parliament, and she’ll flourish. The more you meddle with your husband’s affairs, the more difficult the marriage will be. You’ll end up arguing with him all the time.”
Helen nodded, seemingly tired, but Isabella wasn’t sure she agreed.
“That’s not true,” Father said. “I’m always more than happy to hear your opinion.”
“And every time I give you my opinion on something, we end up arguing as we’re doing now.”
Isabella had no experience with men. She’d never had a suitor, never truly thought about a husband—not even during her Season—and never thought about her married life. But the duke didn’t give her the impression of being a man who wanted a cold, detached wife who lived a separate life from his. She might be wrong though.
“Isabella.” Mother took her hands. “Please think about the opportunity you and your sister have. Don’t do anything reckless. Be good.”
Her throat tightened. Was she such a terrible daughter? Was she really an embarrassment to her family? She was lucky Mother didn’t know what happened with the duke.
“If we play our cards well,” Mother said, “you two could both be married into the Beaufort family. There’s nothing I want more than to see my two beautiful daughters settled, and being part of this family is such an honour. Isn’t it, Benjamin?”
Father rubbed his forehead. “I only want you two to be happy. But your mother is right. The Beauforts are a powerful family, and I respect the duke. He’s an honourable man. But if you think you’ll be miserable next to him, I want you to tell me, and I don’t want you to feel forced to marry him.”
Helen nodded. “Thank you, Father.” She hugged him with a desperation Isabella found exaggerated.
“Isabella?” Mother asked. “Do we understand each other?”
“I’ll do my best, Mother. I promise.”
* * *
After an almost sleepless night,Isabella had woken up early and left the castle to meet Anthony before Lawson could come with her or send a maid in her place.
Thank goodness finding the main front door was easy. It’d taken her only a few minutes to reach the path to the hill.
The urgency in Mother’s words had overwhelmed her with doubts. She wanted to be herself and laugh as much as she pleased, but she didn’t want to ruin her sister’s future.
If the duke didn’t marry Helen because of her behaviour, she would never forgive herself. And maybe Mother was right about Patrick. He was handsome and funny. Perhaps it was time for her to think about getting married, too.
Her breath turned into mist as she trekked uphill at a fast pace.
Wheezing, she paused at the top of the hill under the shadow of an oak tree. The air was thick with the scent of wet soil and bluebells. From that point, she had an unobstructed view of the castle. It was huge, ancient, and with centuries of history like the Beauforts. Too much. Too overwhelming.
The prospect of being bound to such a powerful family started a choking sensation in her throat. Not even Father had dismissed the importance of Helen marrying the duke.
“Isabella!”
Doubts gnawed at her as Anthony arrived from the path. He wore the same plain clothes as the first time they’d met, but it seemed that a year had passed since that moment.
She shouldn’t have another secret meeting with him and maybe ruin her sister’s chances by saying or doing something silly. Something that was…herself.
