by Lucy Langton
Nevertheless, his sister would now have a friend and companion that could, hopefully, bring her back from her state of torment. They looked alike, were almost of the same age and height. With a few days and moments together, William was sure they would develop a bond. A bond strong enough to heal.
Unsure of what his heart wanted, William turned around to lie on his bed. It was only then that he noticed the housekeeper had returned to his bedchambers.
“Instruct the cleaners to prepare the best and closest room available to my sister’s, for the Lady Isabel. Also, tell the maids to get all the linens washed and fresh. We will be having a lovely guest for a while, and I have every intention of impressing her!” William ordered.
He noticed the housekeeper about to argue, and his expression changed. Without any further hesitation, she hurried out of the room to carry out his instructions.
_
Isabel arrived back at her home, much to the relief and satisfaction of Aunt Mariam and George. Having awoken hours after Isabel had departed, he was confronted by Aunt Mariam, who disclosed the whereabouts of his sister and her intentions.
Although grateful for the intervention and return of his sister, George was more concerned about the outcome of her venture. Should she have failed to convince the Baron, they would have to abandon their lives and home to probably live with a relative far away from this place.
However, if she were successful, he would be forever indebted to her for delivering them out of the muddle he had put them in. Even as he prayed for her success, he knew deep within that the Baron would never relinquish his hold over the estates without having something else in return. On the other hand, was it possible that his sister had managed to convince the Baron to make a wager and had then been successful where he had failed?
With the numerous thoughts and questions flooding his head, George shook his head so he could think properly. His sister had just returned. First, he would welcome her back, and later on, he would apologise for putting the family in danger, regardless of the outcome of her confrontation.
Isabel had hoped to, at least, be able to rest and eat before divulging the result of her visit, but Aunt Mariam was not one to delay an announcement.
“Tell me all that happened while you were at that devious man’s house. Did he touch you? Did he intimidate or threaten you? Please tell me and calm my agitated mind,” Aunt Mariam coerced.
Cornered, Isabel felt no other choice than to report all that had happened while at the Baron’s estate. She explained everything except the part where she had offered herself in exchange for the property. She felt it would rather bring shame and discomfort to the ones she cared about rather than prove the point she wanted to make.
“…and I would be living there with him and his sister until she can get more cheerful and well,” Isabel explained.
Aunt Mariam closed her eyes as she thought of the different possible outcomes of Isabel going to live with a man of such reputation and character. No doubt, her reputation would be stained, but it would mean the mistakes of her brother would be recovered. However, she thought of other means through which they could recover their land without Isabel ever going to live with the Baron.
Meanwhile, tired and hungry, Isabel slumped in her chair. Taking note of her weariness, George signalled for a servant to supply her with food and water. Isabel did not waste anytime devouring the meal as she abandoned some of her table etiquette. She often did.
The next few days passed swiftly, and Isabel credited it to the anticipation she felt for leaving. She was not very enthusiastic about living with the Baron, but for the fact that the estate would be returned, she was content.
During this time, Isabel noticed a great change in her brother’s countenance. George had become more humble and sober. Chagrined by his previous lack of control and poor judgement, which had almost led to the loss of their home, George had totally ended his involvement with drinking and gambling.
Whenever Isabel caught sight of her brother, he was a bit downcast and seldom smiled. However, things had begun changing within the estate. The duties he had run from and abandoned, he now carried out with proficiency and rigour.
For one thing, Isabel was glad that the experience had changed him, at least for the better. Now, she could actually believe she had made the right call. If things went the way she believed they would, their estates would be returned to them, her brother would step up to become a better person and Lord, and she would… Well, she would be satisfied knowing her family was well and awaited her return.
Unconsciously, a tear had escaped her eyelids, and Isabel hurried to wipe it off. There was no need shedding tears. What was done was done. Her only worry at that moment was that the Baron kept to his promise.
George stood within the shadows, watching his sister for quite some time, and he did not fail to notice when she batted a tear from her cheeks. He still felt guilty about all that had happened, and even though he had done all that in his moment of weakness, it did not change the fact that he had almost jeopardized the family’s security.
“Isabel, may I have a word with you?” George asked.
Isabel was taken aback. She had not noticed George walking up to her. Either way, she followed him till they were out of earshot and then he spoke:
“I know that the past few days have been tough for our family but most especially on you. When our parents died, I was so saddened by their death that I began to take comfort in wine and gambling, which ultimately almost led to the loss of our inheritance. I take full responsibility for my actions, and I apologise for once again putting you in a position where you would have to redeem me.”
George paused, and Isabel could see the emotion in his eyes and voice as he spoke. Without a doubt, he was truly sorry and repentant. She held no grudge towards him, and she wanted him to know that. However, she felt he needed to say what he had in his mind first. Before her brother could be truly healed, he needed to forgive himself first.
“I want to ask once again that you forgive me for putting you in that position. And when you do journey to fulfill your end of the bargain, know that I am always at your disposal. Whenever you need me, just send a word, and I will be by your side in an instant. I will not hesitate to come to your aid at any time, now and always. I swear it!” George finished and bumped his fist on his chest to show his resolve.
Isabel was beyond happy at her brother’s resolve. She was proud and glad that something good had already begun manifesting, even before she had made the journey to the Baron’s estate. Now, whatever would happen, she knew that everything was going to be alright.
She rushed into her elder brother’s arms, and they were locked in an embrace for a while. Ever since their parents’ death, this was the first time either of them was being intimate with the other. Isabel could not deny that she had missed the warm feeling that came with the reassuring hug of family.
“Brother, you do not know how long I have waited for you to tell me all this. You are my brother, and there is no way I would harbour a grudge against you for so long. Indeed, what you did caused me grief for a while, as our parents had just been buried and you had abandoned your duties as their heir. Nevertheless, I have completely forgiven you of everything, and it is all in the past now. My only wish is that during the time that I am gone, you take care of the affairs of our father and yourself. Do not neglect your duties anymore. And of course, Aunt Mariam will be here to make sure that you have all that you need,” Isabel admonished.
Both brother and sister had a difficult time hiding their tears from each other. For the rest of that day, she and George had smiles on their faces. Aunt Mariam noticed what had happened and was certain that the family was going to overcome the events that had troubled them. Her only fear was what might happen once Isabel began living with the Baron.
However, that was beyond her control now. In any case, she pitied the Baron, should he try anything to jeopardise Isabel’s reputation. Isabel was both tenacious a
nd quite unpredictable. If anything were to befall her, she would rise above it and conquer. That, she was sure of.
The next morning, Isabel was ready to say her goodbyes. The maids and servants were all outside, waiting to bid her farewell. George and Aunt Mariam stood together as she climbed into her carriage. This time, she was going to the Baron’s estate as a proper lady would, and although Aunt Mariam and George had requested to accompany her at least until she disembarked, she had bluntly refused. Having them come along would only cause her to cry when they left, and that was a side she was unwilling for the Baron to see. If she were to put up with living with him for the next few weeks, then she must be seen as someone strong and competent.
Done with the pleasantries and farewells, Isabel began her journey to the Baron’s estate. She had heard many things about him, some good, but most were negative. However, she had met him once, and during their encounter, she had noticed a side to him that although hidden, had the potential to grow into something unique and amazing.
What would she encounter in her stay at the Baron’s house? Would he be the man the rumours said he was, or would she find a man different from what the public knew of him? Well, there was only one way to find out, she would have to see things for herself.
Chapter 6
Lord William sat and watched from his window all day awaiting the arrival of Lady Isabel. His lunch had been left half-eaten, and he could not deny that he was feeling uneasy. He was yet to lay his eyes on her, yet he already felt anxious and apprehensive.
Twice, while the servants had been preparing the room, he had walked in to inspect; checking for stains and old furnishings and art he felt would seem distasteful in her eyes. He would walk up to a vase to examine it, he would randomly check for dust particles or the slightest mistake in alignment and would order it to be redone.
For him, Isabel was to feel welcomed and comfortable when she arrived. Moreover, making her bedchamber the most inviting was the least he could do as a host.
He heard rather than saw the carriage pull into his estate and stop at his front door. Immediately, he checked himself and rearranged his attire. He walked out of his room and down the stairs with the most grace he could muster.
Contrary to his usual dressing, he had worn one of his favourite clothes; one that contained more than a dozen buttons and lapel pins. He looked like an army general, only this time without the military decoration.
Getting down from the carriage with the help of a footman, Isabel noticed the large door leading into the Baron’s house swing open. She saw the Baron smiling weirdly and wearing a funny coat. She assumed it had been a while since he had been to any event, as his coat was old- fashioned and lacked taste.
Nevertheless, she was not to alert him to his own mistake. If his servants saw nothing wrong in his dressing, neither would she.
Ignoring him, she turned around to appraise her surroundings and had to cover her gaping mouth with a hand fan she had brought along, much by the insistence of Aunt Mariam. Her heart fluttered along with the butterflies that perched from one flower to another. Isabel had been quite exposed as a child, travelling on most occasions with her mother to see their relatives, going along with her father to visit some Lords in their manor and many more occasions, such as attending the balls with the ladies.
However, one thing that shocked her still was that none of those Lords or places she had visited or toured had ever had such a generous display of trees and flowers of such variety and vast quantity. From more than four miles, Isabel had feasted her eyes on the beautiful array of wildflowers shadowed by the presence of tall trees separating them from the path.
Isabel admired the scenery before her eyes, promising herself to pay the plants a visit once she was settled in the Baron’s house. The path that led to the main building was decorated with cedar, cinnamon, and numerous other trees that gave the environment a spicy, yet delectable scent.
All around them were plants of different types and species. At first, Isabel wondered why she had not noticed the extremely pleasing environment when she had initially arrived at the Baron’s house. Then almost as quickly as the thought came, she remembered her mind was troubled and unsteady.
The mental struggle to secure her family’s inheritance had burdened her so, that she had not been able to appreciate the tasteful atmosphere fully. Now, that her mind was partially at rest, she could feel and smell the wonders of nature.
Deep within her heart, Isabel was grateful that she could spend some time here; at least the environment would offer her comfort in her leisure.
Approaching the main building, Isabel remembered the reason for her stay and gave a straightened face. It would not be in her favour to allow the Baron to see her charmed by his décor, lest he think she was easy to please.
One of the servants went for her luggage while another handed her a folder. It contained the documents that her brother had surrendered to the Baron in exchange for losing their wager. She perused through them and finally settled that it was indeed intact. She handed it over to her footman with a note to her brother. Then she began the walk through the steps until she came face to face with the Baron.
“Miss Montgomery,” William greeted in salutation.
“Lord Gregory,” Isabel greeted in return.
“You are officially welcome to my home. During your stay here, my servants will attend to you as though they were yours. Whatever you need or whatever questions you have, you only need ask, and I will answer them. My housekeeper here, Rachael, will show you to your bedchamber and whatever you need as a Lady, you have only to ask her.” William paused to let his words sink in.
Isabel gave no response, and the Baron took that to mean she understood.
“Dinner will soon be ready, and I expect you to be there. The servants will alert you as to when it is done. Later on, I will introduce you to my sister. It is my wish that you two become friends, as that is the entire purpose for which you are here. Do have a lovely evening, My Lady,” he finished and strode in the direction Isabel knew to be his bedchambers.
She followed loosely behind Rachael, taking note of the different doors and passageways around the house. If she were going to live there for more than a month, she had to know her way around. It would be useless and time-wasting to always have to rely on his servants whenever she needed something.
They walked past different rooms and passages, at Isabel’s insistence. They finally arrived at a room on the second floor, and Rachael pointed out that this was her room.
“What about that one over there?” Isabel asked.
Not too far from her new living space, was a large room, painted separately from the rest she had seen. It had drawings of little rabbits and cats; it looked like it was once used as a children’s room.
“Oh, that is Lady Beatrice’s room. It’s one of the largest in the entire building, and no servant is permitted to enter, except it is necessary,” Rachael answered.
Isabel was intrigued. She wondered why all the other floors had freshly covered paint except this one. Painting this floor would mean covering the drawings, and Isabel assumed the drawings held much significance to the Lady Beatrice for it to have received special treatment.
Isabel knew that if she were to become friends with the young girl, and gain her freedom soon, she would have to gain the young girl’s trust. Gaining her trust would mean coming from an angle that allowed her to be easily open to discussion. She would have to know nearly everything about the little girl so as not to trample upon special memories.
That was another task to be overcome with the Baron. Opening up about his sister would almost mean sharing his own experiences too. The Baron was a hard man and one who would surely detest letting anyone know about his past and personal life.
Satisfied, Isabel returned to her new room and dismissed the maid. The stress and ache of riding a horse had finally dawned on her, and she hurried to rest her aching body. There was much to do later, best to get as much re
st as she could.
