Page 46

Millie lay in a small cot, facing away from Isabel.

A lone candle on the bedside table illuminated the room just enough for Isabel to see her husband’s serene face as he quietly sang the lullaby. A bit of fur was visible by Vane’s feet, and Isabel deduced it was the dog.

Button—the usually exuberant animal—breathed softly, probably soothed by his master’s singing.

Vane’s features were solemn as he watched his daughter’s sleeping form, his throat working at the low bars of the song.

The picture before her was so intimate that Isabel felt like the worst kind of intruder, but she still couldn’t step away, mesmerized by the sound of Vane’s voice and by the soothing ambiance of a shadowed room.

Lost in the pleasant mood of the dimly lit chamber and her husband’s low voice, Isabel’s mind drifted to the carefree days she’d spent as a child. Both her mother and father had always come to say goodnight to their children. Most of the time, their mother did the singing; their father usually read them stories. These were the simplest of times when the entire family was happy and untroubled.

Isabel wished she could go back to those times, but there was no turning back.

When she was young, she wished to have the same kind of family life one day. She had wanted a brood of children. Or at least a daughter with the same blue eyes as her mother and dark hair.

Isabel had almost forgotten about those simple dreams as her life took a turn toward the unpredictable. After the death of their sibling, their entire life had changed for the worse, and they had not recovered.

Some things turned out well, though, Isabel thought as she watched her husband sing a lullaby to his daughter. She imagined her little sister Sam doing the same thing to her child. Oh, how she wished to be with her at this time. To be embraced into a loving family’s bosom once more seemed like something out of a fairy tale.

A tear slid from her cheek and onto her palm, and it was only then Isabel realized that she was crying. She wiped the tear away and cleared her throat softly.

Vane—who had not noticed her presence before now—raised his head and looked at her. His expression immediately changed into a frown, and his singing ceased.

Isabel tipped her head in greeting and slid out of the room. She peeked inside a moment later, just in time to see Vane lean over his daughter and kiss her on the forehead. “Sleep well, my child,” he whispered and tucked the covers tightly over her.

Vane straightened and watched his daughter sleep with a soft, beautiful smile that took ten years off his life. Isabel cocked her head. Smiling like that, calm and unburdened, he reminded her of someone. Someone Isabel once knew. But she could not remember whom.

Isabel took a few steps away from the room, not wanting to get caught spying on the pair again as she contemplated the thought. Well, she’d known quite a few people, and it was not surprising she had found Vane’s features familiar.

Vane doused the candlelight in Millie’s room, and the corridor was shrouded in darkness. Isabel shivered as she waited for the marquess to appear in the corridor.

Assertive steps alerted Isabel to Vane’s approach, and she stepped closer to meet him. A mistake. Vane turned into the corridor at that exact moment and collided with her.

Isabel squeaked, but Vane caught her quickly and covered her mouth with his hand. “Shush. You’ll wake Millie.”

Isabel nodded, her eyes wide, the heat of Vane’s palm searing through her skin and branding her. Vane removed his hand. “Are you just always going to be behind every corner now?” he whispered with a frown.

Isabel quickly composed herself and smiled. “For the rest of your life. In sickness and in health—”

Vane directed his eyes heavenward before walking past her. “What are you doing here?”

“I was waiting for you. I thought it was obvious.”

“Very well. Why have you been waiting for me?” He was moving down the stairs now, his steps sure, making Isabel hurry after him. She picked up her skirts as she tried not to trip while she kept up with his long stride.

“Can you stop for a moment so I can actually catch up with you long enough to answer your question?”

Vane did not stop, did not even pause. He just slowed his steps. What a cad! She’d thought they were past his surly attitude toward her. Apparently not.

Isabel finally reached him as he turned into the corridor, heading toward his bedchamber. “I wanted to speak with you about Millicent,” she said.

“What about her?” He still hadn’t turned.

“I think it is imperative that she start her schooling.”

“Yes. I thought we agreed that you’d find her a governess.”

“I sent the notice to the papers and already received some answers, but it will take me days to sift through the letters and go through the interviews.”