Lindsay tried not to let him know how frustrated she became mile after mile. It seemed they stopped much too often and now he wanted to take an overnight. She became impatient at the many delays but reminded herself the end result would be worth it all. If the plan was to work, she must continue to play her part.
Harriet and Isabelle heard frantic voices from outside the front gate. They rushed to the street.
“What is happening?” Harriet attempted to grab passersby with no luck to get their attention.
Isabelle stopped a young woman. “What is going on?” The woman stopped and took several breaths and then pointed to the outskirts of Winchester. “Is someone coming?”
The woman nodded her head vigorously. “It is the Lord Spencer himself. He comes with a private entourage. Imagine someone like him coming to our village.”
Isabelle’s throat tightened. Harriet caught the look of panic in her eyes and snatched her arm. “Come inside, Isabelle.” They hurried inside and closed the door. Harriet latched it and then closed the shades. “He must not see you. I am sure they are simply passing through. There is no way he would know you are here.”
Harriet had no qualms about the means someone in his position possessed to find anyone he wanted. This was not the time to feed into her niece’s fears.
“Do you think it is a good idea to close the shades?” Isabelle asked. “It may single us out more than ever since no one closes up this time of day.”
Harriet agreed and they opened the blinds again. “You must hide in the closet in your bedroom until they pass through.”
Isabelle raced to her room. If Lord Spencer had discovered her whereabouts then he must be angry with her. What lay in store for her could not be imagined. She had left Brookwood without telling anyone where she was going except for Louisa and Edward. Now she realized Louisa most likely had let it slip to someone. In turn, word reached Lord Spencer. His true ruthlessness would soon show itself once he actually found her. Crouching on the bare floor of the tiny closet, she drew her knees to her chin and waited.
Lady Spencer looked through the window of the carriage. Charles Standish’s flowing handwriting provided exact directions to Harriet Mendel’s home. Miles noticed his mother’s eagerness.
“We are here in Winchester, Mother. I take it that you are anticipating the prognosis this mysterious Physician has for you. I do hope and pray it is in your favor.” His worried expression brought Lindsay back to her pretend condition. She nodded feebly.
“I hope so, too, Miles. It is my last hope that we are all well and happy again.”
“Those are strange words, Mother. If you doubt I will be happy in Australia there is no worry in that way. I will find a challenge which is exactly what I need now.” He peered through the window. “Where does this Physician hold his office?”
“There it is,” said Lindsay.
Miles looked twice at the neat but modest house. “Are you sure? Does he practice from his home then? Any reputable man in the medical field would surely have his office in a bona fide clinic.” Lady Spencer assured her son that he was quite reputable if referred to by her private Physician.
Lord Spencer stopped the carriage as his mother directed.
Harriet clutched her breast and failed to breathe.
An Invitation Unexpected
“We will assist you, Mother, whenever you are ready.”
Lady Spencer waved her hand and said, “I wish that you approach the door first, Miles. Your presence should be introduced first.”
Lindsay’s eyes fired up with new life as she watched her handsome son in full uniform approach the unpretentious abode. She noted the well-kept lawn and abundant flowers in the yard. Window boxes displayed more varied hues and honeysuckle filled her nostrils. It was the most peaceful dwelling she had seen along the endless journey.
When Miles knocked on the door, a timid older woman opened the door to him.
“I wish to speak with the Physician. I believe his name is Dr. Ashford. He is to see my mother for his opinion of her health.”
Harriet opened her mouth, not to speak but to wonder why he thought this was the home of a Physician. Miles shifted slightly with impatience.
“My mother cannot remain in the carriage much longer after our long journey. If you please, show me to the Doctor.”
Harriet curtsied deep and finally spoke. “Sir, you are mistaken. This is a private home. No doctor lives here or practices medicine here. Perhaps you seek the clinic?” She began to give directions to find the clinic when a soft voice was heard.
“Lord Spencer, am I the true person you are looking for? There is no reason to pretend you need a Physician. I have no idea how you found me but I am at your service.” Isabelle invited him inside as Harriet stepped aside.
Miles stood as if frozen in time. When he glanced back at the carriage he was astonished to see his mother spring from the vehicle. She wiped her face with a lace handkerchief and he realized her pallid look was due to a thick mask of powder. She looked at him and smiled in a way he had never noticed before.
“Mother, you are not ill?”
“Of course not. I believe the ladies have invited you inside. Why are you just standing there?” She reached for Isabelle’s hand and warmed it with her own. “My dear, I was so wrong in my treatment of you. I apologize and that includes my absent, but rude daughters as well. I do hope you will forgive me.”
Isabelle’s eyes grew wide. She smiled and Harriet rushed to put the kettle on for tea. Miles and Lindsay settled on the sofa and Isabelle sat across from them in one of the winged chairs.
“How did you find me?” she asked Miles.
He turned to his mother. “Lady Spencer is the one who has that answer. I presumed we were on a journey here to find a cure for my mother’s strange illness. Somehow she has cured herself.” His eyes twinkled and Isabelle smiled.
“I solicited an old friend of your father’s. In no time at all he discovered where Isabelle had disappeared to.” Lady Spencer went on to talk directly with Isabelle. She explained how distraught her son had been when he couldn’t find her. “I soon realized he loved only you, Isabelle, and that I caused your flight.”
Harriet appeared with a large tray that held teacups, condiments and cookies. The sweets were on the best plate in her home. The royalty before her thanked her as if they had never seen or tasted such delectable morsels. Harriet was happy to see that things were amiable between her most unexpected guests and her niece. She did not miss how Isabelle locked eyes with Lord Spencer. There were moments when it was as if they were the only two people in the room.
After a half hour, Lady Spencer set her cup on the tray and stood up. “I must be on my way back to my Brookwood Estate.” Miles followed suit. “No, Miles, you must stay here. You have plans to make and you must convince this beautiful young woman she is to marry you. I am leaving a fine horse for you and two soldiers to accompany you back home when you are ready.” She looked at Isabelle. “I understand you are an expert horsewoman. There will be a fine horse waiting at the local stables for you, too. I hope to see you both soon.” She turned to Harriet. “We will make sure you have the means to come to the wedding in style as well. That day shouldn’t be too long from now.”
Isabelle’s heart overflowed. She instantly liked Lady Spencer knowing she was sincere in all that she had done to find her for her son. She felt sure that this woman would see to it that Caroline and Sophia would hold no grudges against her in the future. Harriet picked up the remnants of the recent tea party and set them on the table in the kitchen. Then she returned to her garden. Isabelle and Miles looked at one another without words.
He burst into laughter. “My mother is a cunning woman. For once I am grateful for her interference in my life.”
“Oh, Lord Spencer, I am overwhelmed. I feared you were angry with me and meant harm. I hid in my closet when word spread you were coming through town.”
“My dear, we are in love. I know you love me, don
’t you, Isabelle?” She nodded. “Then there is nothing to fear from now on. You will never have to hide from me or anyone again. I have never meant to frighten you but feel that is exactly what I did.”
She nodded again. “I only knew of you. Rumors often spread around Brookwood that you were a cold person and had no mercy for anyone. I saw differently when you came to the cottage and made friends with the orphans. It was then that I felt we could never be together except in a benefactor and recipient relationship. I have loved you for some time now but felt it was impossible.”
“Nothing is impossible,” he said.
“No, My Lord, I suppose not.”
He leaned back and took in her breathtaking beauty. “I will call you Isabelle and you will call me Miles. That is the relationship we have.”
Isabelle knew the familiarity would have to be practiced. Formality would return when in public. She thought of Louisa and how puffed up she would be to know her niece was to marry a man chosen for service to the Regent of England.
When Isabelle Sanders rode into Brookwood side by side with Lord Miles Spencer everyone lined the streets to welcome them. Not a dry eye was visible in the crowd. Isabelle spotted the children immediately. Madeline’s bent body stood with them. They waved and shouted until Miles and Isabelle were in front of them. She dismounted and embraced each child, one by one. Miles smiled broadly and returned their greetings from his horse.
The next day, Isabelle received word from Lady Spencer that if convenient would she come for tea that afternoon. The reply was in the affirmative and in a short while, Isabelle found herself sitting across from Lady Spencer and her two daughters. Caroline and Sophia bowed their heads in shame. They apologized for their unseemly behavior and congratulated her on agreeing to marry their brother.
“You will be close to us both as our sister,” said Caroline. Sophia chimed in with the same sentiments.
They chattered as if friends for a very long time. Then Lady Spencer talked of the upcoming wedding day. She asked for Isabelle’s input and was pleased at how much she understood the intricacies of a wedding for a Lord and his future Lady. She was well aware of details and suggested ways to make it unique just for her and Miles.
“I wish that my aunt Louisa, and Harriet if she so desires, to be involved in the planning as well.”
Lady Spencer agreed. When Isabelle sent word to Harriet, she declined though wanted to receive an invitation. Isabelle penned a note back to her telling her she would be very disappointed if she did not come. Louisa bubbled over in anticipation at being included with Lady Spencer, her daughters and Isabelle in the planning. She had no real input but that did not deter her from talking incessantly about her part to her neighbor.
The Palace Church of England was the setting for the most elaborate wedding of its time. Isabelle donned a long white dress. The lovely bride with the flowing train drew everyone’s attention. She was assured by Lady Spencer that white wedding gowns were in vogue. The grounds overflowed with not only those of the Palace, but also townspeople from every hamlet that could afford the trip. The orphans were dressed as if royalty thanks to Lord Spencer’s orders. They were seated with dignitaries. There was no time for Isabelle to worry about whether or not they minded their manners.
When the celebrations finally ended Miles drew his wife aside. He handed her a large envelope and then took her into an alcove at one end of the Palace.
“Open this, Isabelle,” he said. She warmed at his kiss.
When she opened the envelope and unfolded the papers he leaned over her shoulder. She spread them on the table. He explained they were blueprints for a much larger orphanage than he originally thought about.
“It will house all future children who have no parents to care for them as well as a school where they will be educated. Jobs will be created in the building of the large structure, plus we will need staff to maintain it.”
Tears sprang to Isabelle’s eyes. She turned and looped her arms around his neck. He returned the embrace and together they began the life of the once hidden lass and the important baron in high office.
:)
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Also by Charity McColl
The Blind Duke
The Embittered Earl
Lord Byron’s Bride
The Enchanting Rebel
Beastly Duke & the Winsome Bride
The Duke's Ugly Duckling
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