by Lucy Langton
She was a bit taken aback by their approach to her situation as none of the servants reacted as one would expect when a stranger suddenly rides up unannounced. Could it be that they were exhibiting the same nonchalant character that the Baron was known for?
Clasping her hands together, she made a silent prayer for herself and also for the servants of this depraved man. For he must have corrupted the servants with his evil ways.
Bracing herself for the confrontation with the Baron, she accompanied the servant past the huge door and into the house. The interior of the house was deeper and larger than what Isabel had imagined. She looked up to the roof as the housekeeper led her up the stairs. The roof seemed to reach to endless heights. They swirled up from floor to floor. It was the first time Isabel had seen anything like it.
Everywhere was dim, and she at one time struggled to find the next step. The housekeeper led her into a room that was too dark for her to see anything. Then, Isabel was left standing at the door as the housekeeper proceeded to open the curtains.
Due to staying in the dim lighting, her eyes had become accustomed to the darkness. So when the light came pouring in, she had to shield her eyes with her hands. Soon after her eyes recovered, she found herself in a large living room. Larger than the one in which she had grown up.
The furnishings were something else entirely too. The floor was made of pure oak, and she could see the materials within the room were of the finest quality. There were numerous valuable items placed carefully about the room that it looked more gracious and homely than she had ever thought was possible except for a person of royalty.
The more she saw of the Baron’s house, the more she admired his taste. The housekeeper excused herself to announce her presence to the Baron. Alone in the room, Isabel, roamed aimlessly, touching and feeling the vases, chairs, and shelves. One shelf contained many books on astrology and military tactics. It also had books on Greek mythology and the mysteries of science.
Isabel could not stop herself from thinking. Could it be that the Baron loved to read? On the other hand, was this just another of his collections, acquired through his nefarious acts?
Although her determination had not wavered, Isabel felt a growing feeling of unease at the sort of meeting she would have with the Baron. Unconsciously, she walked towards the window, and what she saw made her gasp.
Holding onto the curtains, she balanced herself to keep from falling while using her free hand to cover the gaping hole that was her mouth. Her eyes widened at the spectacle before her, and it was only by sheer will did she manage to hold her ground.
Surprise evident on her face she wondered why she had not seen this before when she had stepped into the estate. Then she realised she had carelessly sped past all the forests, trees, and bushes without giving them a second thought.
Now, looking from the first-floor window, Isabel could see the beauty and colourful organisation of trees and bushes and flowers to create a euphoric atmosphere. There was not a single person who could gaze on the intricate design and not marvel at its creative splendour.
Isabel chuckled. Who exactly was Lord William Gregory? For someone with such a reputation, no one would suspect him to be a lover of nature and her gifts. Then she smiled some more. For some reason, she wanted to spend a little more time looking at the scenery. What other surprises did the Baron have that he so carefully kept away from general knowledge?
For more than ten minutes, Isabel admired the scenery. It was not until she noticed the brightness of the sun did she discover that she had been waiting for a response for quite some time. Storming out of the room in anger, she met the housekeeper about to enter an adjacent room.
“I demand to be taken to meet Lord William. Now!” Isabel exploded.
Her youthful countenance and pious look did little to hide her blazing anger at being kept waiting. To her, it was an insult to her person and status.
The housekeeper attempted to warn Isabel of the dangers of approaching the Baron at that hour, but Isabel was already furious. She would not be kept waiting any longer.
Resigned, the housekeeper led Isabel further up the stairs and into a room, which to Isabel’s dismay, would be the Baron’s bedchamber. The Baron had predicted it. She had found the lady angry and annoyed, demanding to be taken to him. Just as he had predicted.
Now they ascended the stairs, she taking each step one at a time, and the young lady walking impatiently behind her.
William heard the sounds of their shoes clapping on the wooden floor, informing him of their ascent towards the topmost floor, knowing full well their destination would be the very room at which he lounged. With the intention of taking away the young lady’s composure, he remained shirtless while he lay on his bed.
There was a knock at first before his housekeeper opened the door for the young lady to walk into the room. William remained on his bed and watched the expression on the lady’s face transform immediately from one of anger and confidence to one of shock and embarrassment.
Isabel had never seen the bare chest of an adult male exposed so carelessly that she could not hide her reaction at finding the Baron in such a condition. She had suspected the Baron of being a man of vile means, but this display clearly showed that he truly was the man described by the rumours she had heard.
Calming her emotions, she forced herself to look rather than shy away, which she suspected would please the unscrupulous lord.
The housekeeper, uncomfortable with the situation tried to ease her way out of the room, but the Baron stopped her.
“Stay!” he ordered. “We wouldn’t want to damage the fair lady’s reputation by leaving her alone with me.”
Isabel was astounded that such a man could care for her reputation. Moreover, within her, she wondered what sort of a man the Baron was.
“Speak now!” William commanded the mute Isabel. “What do you want so much that you would dare charge into my estate demanding my presence? What business do I have with you that you would be as bold as to march into my chambers? Speak, girl!”
The Baron was being bold and authoritative. A complete contrast to the caring gesture he had demonstrated by protecting her honour. However, Isabel was unmoved by his ordering. She had expected this.
“My name is Isabel Montgomery, daughter of Paul and Catherine Montgomery. I was informed last night that my brother, George, had made a wager with you for my family’s estate and lost. Regardless of the outcome of that wager, I am here to make you forfeit your claim to my father’s estate and return whatever document my brother may have given you.”
Isabel tightened her grip on her dress to keep her hands from shaking. The Baron was truly an intimidating man. She had known speaking to him would be difficult, but she had not expected it to put her under such pressure.
Meanwhile, the Baron seemed to consider her words. It was true he did not need the property gained from the wager. Nevertheless, it was necessary for him to teach that stupid lad a lesson about life.
Now, he looked at Isabel, and a thought crossed his head. It was a gamble, but the risk was worth it. For him, there was nothing more to lose. However, he would need to be crafty. Isabel would never agree to his plan unless he outsmarted her.
“So that pathetic loser is your brother. I admit I do not need another flimsy run-down property to drain my pockets in upkeep and taxes, but that does not mean that I cannot sell it for profits. Your brother was foolish to use your family fortune in a gamble, especially when his father’s body is yet to touch the cold earth. If you so believe I should hand it over, let me know why. I won it honestly. So, now, tell me.”
The Baron folded his hands and let Isabel do the talking. She looked beautiful, to say the least. Her red hair glistened in the sunlight. Every inch of her radiated elegance and class. Save for the hem of her dress, which had probably been smeared by mud from all the horse riding.
Her face was oval-shaped, and her skin shone. Her hands looked soft and small like a little child’s. Wi
lliam guessed her age to be between seventeen and nineteen. Her face had an innocent look except for when she glared at him as she had done while she entered his bedchamber.
She was of above-average height for a girl in these parts; he assumed he was probably seven to eight inches taller than she was. However, she had a fiery passion that burned within her, and William knew that in that state, she could be dangerous.
Overall, she was a very interesting woman, one who was both beautiful and tenacious. And daring. Nothing other than that would have made her charge into his estate unannounced and without a chaperone or a servant. Interesting indeed!
Isabel stared at the Baron without words to say. This was what she had feared while riding through the town. What could she say to such a man? What could she offer him? Or, how could she persuade him to renounce his claim to their property without her losing her pride and dignity?
“My father left us his house, and the documents my brother handed over to you contain most of our inheritance. You would be taking away our livelihood by forcing us to prepare for acquisition. In addition, please, refrain from further damaging my brother’s reputation by calling him names. All I want is for things to return to the way they were,” Isabel confessed.
The Baron admired her courage, but he was yet to get what he wanted. From her last words, he knew she loved her brother greatly and her family even more. However, he knew she was almost there; all that remained was a little shove.
“I have listened to what you have to say, and I see why you would need your properties back, but why should I give them back? What do I get in return for such a gesture?” he asked.
Isabel was dismayed by his question. The Baron was openly asking for a sort of repayment or compensation for him to return their estates. She had suspected it might come to this but had silently prayed that at least some of the rumours about him were not true.
“While I was coming, I had told myself I was going to do whatever it took to retrieve my father’s estate, and that I am still prepared to do. I admit I had heard rumours about you, most of them say vile things about you. However, I had hoped that by coming here I would give you a chance to show that you are not who they say you are. However, today I have been proven wrong.”
William was getting fed up with the insults. Yes, he was used to being labelled and given names. Most of the townsfolk knew him as the scandalous Lord rather than his actual name. However, getting insulted in his home was not something he was going to take lightly.
Isabel watched him as he thought. It seemed there was no other option. She looked at the housekeeper standing by the door and once again at the Baron. Slowly, her hand went to her shoulders, and she began pulling her dress. When she spoke, her voice was shaky as she struggled to hold back the emotion welling within her.
“The rumours say you frequent various brothels and have numerous lovers. So I offer you what you want; my body in exchange for your renouncing your claim on my father’s property.”
The Baron was astounded. Of all things, he had never thought this young and beautiful lady would offer herself so willingly, all for the sake of keeping her family’s inheritance. Nevertheless, this was not what he wanted at the moment. Letting her continue would only spark further rumours to taint his reputation and her honour.
Besides, from the look on his housekeeper’s face, this was an audacious move. He was almost smiling as he stopped her.
“Why stop now? Isn’t this what you want?” Isabel asked, anger and humiliation burning in her eyes.
William smirked. “While I do in fact appreciate your tempting and generous offer, I humbly decline. That isn’t what I want, at least, not now.”
Relieved but still cautious, she asked, “What then do you want in return for giving up your rights? Since you already have something in mind, tell me!”
William noted again, bold.
“I have a young lady living within this house, my sister. When she was born, she had been so young and lively. After sometime, she developed a sickness which upon various developments, she confined herself to her chambers. What I want from you is to stay with her as a companion until her condition improves. Immediately she is once again lively and cheerful you would be allowed to leave. However, not until then. That is my only offer.”
Isabel was shocked by what she had heard. No one had ever made mention that the Baron had a relative, not to mention a sister. And besides, his offer seemed too trivial that she wondered if the Baron did not have something else in mind.
“Is that all? Nothing else?” Isabel asked.
“Of course. All you have to do is keep my sister company, and your estate will be returned to you. However, you are aware you would have to live here temporarily as my sister might require comfort and companionship at odd hours. Nevertheless, I promise that your honour shall be unharmed as long as you live under my roof,” William explained.
Isabel sighed; it was a good bargain. The only problem would be how to break the news to Aunt Mariam. Of course, her brother would be concerned, as would anyone who would hear of the development. However, her mind was made up, and if that simple task would ensure her family’s security, then so be it.
“I accept your request,” Isabel confirmed.
“Good! My maid will escort you to your horse; it should already be waiting for you by the time you get outside. You will return here whenever you decide, but not later than a week from now. One of your servants will accompany you here and return with the documents I got from your brother. Once you are settled in, I will introduce you to my sister, and you can carry on from there,” William concluded.
Isabel closed her eyes for a few seconds to absorb the new information and to resign herself to her fate. She reminded herself that she had chosen to do this, and this was the best possible outcome for them both.
With the housekeeper leading the way, they climbed back down. When they got outside, true to his word, her horse was waiting for her; brushed up and fed. She looked towards where she suspected to be the Baron’s window.
Satisfied, she mounted her horse and began the journey back.
Chapter 5
Lord William stood watching from about his window as Isabel mounted her horse and sped off in the direction from whence she came. He watched as she bounced gracefully atop her horse, her hair rising and falling behind her back as she galloped out of sight.
Even in her stubbornness and fiery defiance for habits accustomed to ladies of her status, William found her even more amusing. She reminded him of himself – proud and daring, unwilling to be bound by ensnaring customs or norms.
He looked at Isabel and could see a faint resemblance to his sister.
Beatrice Gregory, who had been afflicted by a terrible illness when she was young, had been forced to endure months of treatments and medicines in a bid to cure her sickness. Being so young, she had been refused her friends, and most times, been confined to her room to avoid the sickness from worsening or spreading.
Having spent close to five years battling the disease, Beatrice had finally been cured, but the effects it had on her were tremendous. During the whole period Beatrice had been confined, she had not been allowed any friend and companion, and this had caused her to grow socially distant.
She hardly talked to anyone, and even though she was free to do as she pleased, she seldom left her room. It was as though she had grown accustomed to the confinement and was reluctant to change. The doctors diagnosed it as ‘nervous disposition’. However, her brother, William, knew better. He believed it to be his punishment.
He had tried visiting her in her chambers once, but she had shouted and screamed at the top of her lungs. Taking the blame for her present condition, William had hardened his heart as his penance to his sister.
She was proud, bold, and beautiful. A fitting character to match his own. He smiled. Isabel might be the most challenging woman he had ever encountered. And that singular thought made his blood race. What would happen once she started livi
ng under the same roof as he did? Would she be different from all the other ladies he had ever been with, or would she, like the others, treat him with deceit and disdain because of his reputation?
