by Lucy Langton
After a lengthy period of sharing ideas, Isabel decided to take a break. Even though it had been just three days since Isabel arrived at the Gregory mansion, she was already making headway with Beatrice.
They no longer had awkward silences between them. Isabel told stories of her life before her parents’ deaths. It turned out that Beatrice had never been out of the country. Isabel gave her details of her travels with her parents to faraway places and her free time with some of her friends.
They laughed and joked now as they sewed, and Isabel began to wonder if this was how she would have felt if she had had a younger sister. The thought both amused and inspired her to share more details with Beatrice.
As she left the room, she made a mental note to tell Beatrice of some of her experiences and skills such as swimming, horse riding, tree climbing, and chess. She wondered how it would feel if they switched places and it was she who had missed out on her entire childhood.
When she got to her room, she tried going to sleep, but her mind was still active, and her body full of energy. Peeping through the window, Isabel found the sun was still up and the weather warm. It was a good day to be outdoors.
Quickly, she changed into an outdoor dress and hurried down the stairs. At the bottom, she met the housekeeper, Rachael, doing some house cleaning.
“Are you going somewhere, My Lady?” Rachael asked.
“Yes. I would like to visit the stables and check out the horses. After that, I would like to take a stroll across the yard, acquaint myself with the estate. I think I might need someone to show me around. It would speak ill of me to get lost on my first day outside,” Isabel answered.
“May I join you? I could be of assistance in showing you some of the most lovely spots around,” Rachael offered, flashing Isabel an innocent smile.
Out of nowhere, William cut in just before Isabel could give her reply. “That will not be necessary, Rachael; you may continue with your chores. I will accompany the Lady in her sightseeing. It is of course my property, who is better to show it off than my humble self?”
Isabel was surprised by his offer. But she knew she could not accept it.
“I am sorry, My Lord, but I believe it would not seem proper for an unwed couple to be seen alone and together in public.”
“Ah! Do not worry about that. We are yet to become a couple, My Lady, and in any case, there are numerous servants working about and tending to the estate. Surely, no one would consider us alone in such a situation. Rest easy My Lady, your honour remains intact. You are safe with me,” William replied and smirked.
Isabel knew her face was red with embarrassment, but she made little of it. Since he so insisted, she decided to indulge him. She wondered how many ladies he had used that line on. Straightening her face, she scoffed and turned away, heading for the exit and leaving the Baron to trail after her.
The stables turned out to be larger and fuller than Isabel had imagined. There were horses of different breeds, stallions, and thoroughbreds. Moving from one stall to another, she touched and admired them all. She promised herself to take some of them out for a ride once the chance presented itself.
It was now time to explore the estate. As promised, Isabel insisted on a chance to see the flowers by the pathways leading to the mansion. William had no choice than to oblige. Therefore, they began their walk along the pathway heading in the direction of the town. William explained the history of the estate. How one of his ancestors had conquered a town bereft with internal violence in the name of the King. After which the King had then decided to reward them with a large portion of its land.
While the Baron explained his heritage, Isabel admired the scented plants, feeling their petals and tasting the nectar. She would occasionally give William a nod or a hum as he progressed with his story.
Gradually they neared the end of the wonderful field, and Isabel could see the outline of the town and children playing around in the open space. She had always fancied the idea of having a child of her own. Probably a little babe, wrapped in her arms or lying in its cradle. The thought came to her once again, and she could not stop the smile from spreading to her face.
“So what is so fascinating about the flowers that causes you to smile so much?” William asked, suddenly bringing her out of her reverie.
“Oh, it’s nothing. I only happened to remember a fond memory I had when I was still a child. While I was still young and followed my mother to various events, she would sometimes buy me a doll. I later grew up cherishing these dolls, and whenever I felt lonely, I would hold onto them tightly,” Isabel replied.
There was a moment of silence between them, and as the evening breeze blew, the scent of flowers wafted into her nostrils. She looked at the Baron and for the first time, saw him differently.
The wind blew his hair about, and he looked remarkably handsome, similar to his youthful look in the painting. She had not noticed it before, but his hair was trimmed, and his beard was shaved.
Isabel found herself wondering what would have happened if she had met the Baron under different circumstances. Maybe she would not need to be on her guard whenever she was around him.
Without realizing it, she had been staring at William for a while and only managed to catch herself before he noticed.
“Are you feeling well?” William asked, noticing her bowed head and flushed cheeks.
“Oh yes!” Isabel croaked.
She cleared her throat and began walking down the path towards the mansion. William took the initiative and hurried to take the lead. They kept walking down the path, and just when she thought they were heading for the mansion, William kept heading straight.
“Are we not going back inside? Where does this path lead?” she asked.
William smiled cunningly and kept walking. Isabel gave an exasperated sigh and tagged along. Although they were still in public, Isabel was aware they were increasing the distance between them and the servants. Twice, she had to check to see there were still a few people within sight.
“Where are we heading to? We need to be getting back indoors,” Isabel complained.
However, just as she complained, she realised the Baron had never invited her nor had he actually led in the direction they were headed. He had simply taken the lead, and she had followed.
Isabel cursed herself for being so gullible. How could she have followed him this far away from public eyes? Of course he would try to take advantage of her. He was basically taking her far enough where he could have his way with her.
Even as Isabel contemplated on various possibilities, she never once considered stopping and returning to the mansion alone. Her instincts told her to keep moving, and her body complied.
Her curiosity took advantage of the looming danger and infinite possibilities. She wanted to find out for herself; she wanted to know. What laid waiting for her once he stopped and she caught up with him? Would he place his lips over hers in a passionate kiss? Would she allow herself to be taken right there in the cover of trees and bushes?
Once again, the Baron snapped her out of her rampaging thoughts.
“We are here,” he whispered.
He had his sights on the deep valley directly before them, and Isabel was once again urged by her instincts to look. She covered the distance between them and followed his gaze.
The valley looked incredibly deep. However, it was not the depth of the valley that caught Isabel’s attention, but what lay below. From below their feet till as far as the eyes could see, Isabel could not find a patch of soil. The entire area was covered in beautiful flowers that shone in the setting sun.
Enchanted by the sight before her, Isabel knew this was the most beautiful scene she had ever seen and might ever see for the rest of her life. Instinctively, she wiped the tear that had fallen to her cheeks.
Using her handkerchief, she wiped her eyes clear and sniffed. By the time she looked at William, he was staring at her with a satisfied smile on his face. He had probably planned to bring her,
confident that it would loosen her up. And he was right. The sight had cleared her mind.
Isabel returned an appreciative smile. It was the least she could do without actually saying the words.
However, the Baron was yet to be finished with his surprises.
“One more place. There is something I need to show you, and you absolutely must see,” he coerced.
Isabel found herself willing to explore. Trusting the Baron seemed easier than she had thought, and obviously more rewarding and satisfying. What more did he have to show her? What else could be better than a valley of such beauty and splendour?
They walked on towards the mansion, and Isabel was disappointed to be returning just when she had hoped for more adventure. As though he had read her mind, William took a sharp turn and led her to an adjacent building, completely obstructed from view.
Having been to see the ‘scented valley’, as she called it, Isabel was no longer scared of being alone with the Baron. Rather, she concerned herself with the sights that lay expectantly before her.
“Where are we going this time?” Isabel asked excitedly.
“Do not worry; we are almost there,” William replied.
Pushing the heavy door open, William went in, and Isabel followed. She gasped as she found herself in a large and spacious hall with sculptures and paintings at every corner. One particular painting caught her eyes.
It was a mural painting of a man at a table surrounded by eleven other men and a woman to his right.
Isabel opened her eyes wide with shock as recognition finally dawned on her.
“Is this…” she started, unable to complete the words.
Suddenly aware that Isabel had left his side, William walked back to where she stood.
“Yes. By Leonardo da Vinci in the late fifteenth century in the refectory of the Covent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, The Last Supper.”
Isabel gasped at the confirmation. This was one of the most famous and valued paintings in the world, and he had it sitting here, available for any thief to steal. How did such a man as he possess such a monumental item, valued by both the Church and artisans?
“But that is of no interest to me right now. What I had in mind to show you is right over here,” William said, steering Isabel in his direction.
He led her towards the eastern corner where a large bronze sculpture of his favourite horse stood in grandeur. The statue looked more of gold than bronze. Reaching a height Isabel guessed to be almost twice of hers, the stallion was not just beautiful, but elegant.
Suddenly, she felt a slightly warm breath graze the skin at the back of her neck. Startled, she realised the Baron was out of sight. Then it dawned on her that he was probably behind her, and she had just felt his breathing on her skin.
Scared and fascinated at the same time, she refused to confront him. Thoughts kept crossing her mind; what was he doing behind her? Was this the moment she had dreaded for so long? Perplexed, Isabel closed her eyes, waiting for answers or her fate.
Chapter 9
Standing behind her in the lighted great hall, the Baron was yet to touch her. At various ends of the hall were lighted torches, but the cast of the moonlight on the stallion sculpture gave a more spectacular view.
Isabel had only felt the stray warmth of his breath and a faint whiff of his scent, but yet she longed for something more. She yearned to understand her feelings, to quell the fluttering beats of her inexperienced heart.
Unsure what next to do, she waited for his next move; her ears sharp and her hairs sensitive, anticipating and predicting his moment of onslaught. Her breathing had changed. It now came in slow and heavy gasps.
All these were new to her. The lust, the want, the exciting feeling of being too close to the edge, of abandoning all her morals and simply going as the moment dictated. Involuntarily, Isabel held a hand to her chest as if to calm its rampage. She needed to think, needed to move, needed to say something or be thought a fool.
Suddenly, she caught herself. The image of her mother, faint but undeniably on time drifted right through her thoughts, causing a break in her chain of thoughts. How long had she stood there holding her chest and waiting for her honour to be taken? How possible was it that she had fallen for the words and charm of the unscrupulous Baron?
Surely, she should not think she was any different from the other women he had bedded. His reputation spoke all the volumes she needed to know. Her weariness and the smell of scented flowers must have done something to alter her thinking.
Why had the Baron brought her there? Could it not be that this had been his intention all along? Best to stop now while she still had most of her dignity intact.
With renewed conviction, Isabel turned to challenge the Baron. She had yet to lose. If only she could show that she was unaffected by his charm and wits, then she could leave with her pride at least.
She held her head high and set her chin straight in defiance. Her eyes burned with passion and determination. She was going to prove to him that she was not like the ladies he had previously encountered. She was not going to fall easily for his tricks and lie with him.
And just as the last thought crossed her mind, it got replaced by the image of she and the Baron lying in bed together and her heart skipped a beat. Immediately, she knew she had lost.
William was smiling down at her with confidence and satisfaction. He had seen through her weak attempt at rejection and defiance, and now he knew that she had wanted him. Even if just for a moment, she had actually wanted him, and he had seen through it all.
Knowing, he began trailing his hands on her bare arm, and Isabel watched on, unable to distract herself from the feel of his hands on her skin.
This was what she had wanted, a feeling. His hands were barely grazing her skin and yet she felt this powerful tingling sensation deep within her, making her crave more of his touch. She wanted more.
His hands were travelling up her arm now, and she could feel the heat building up at every cell he touched. Isabel knew that unless she did something soon, she would yield to the overpowering yearning and lust boiling within her.
Her body was a wrestling ground between her brain telling her to stop and her lusting heart. Within her, Isabel struggled for control. How could the Baron reach under her skin in so short a time?
Realising that immediate action was needed, she quietly withdrew. Although she had stopped the fight in her head, her skin missed the warmth of his fingertips and her heart, beating rapidly, craved attention.
Suddenly, they were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps; it was the housekeeper. She had come to escort Isabel to bed. She wore her work clothes, and even as she stood there in their midst waiting for a reply, Isabel found her good looking. Her clothes hung loosely on her large bosom, and at the same time clung to her hips, giving anyone interested in looking a worthy sight and still managing to look elegant while at it.
For a brief moment, Isabel believed she caught the Baron scrutinizing the housekeeper’s breasts, and that broke the enchanted feeling she had believed existed between them. In the end, he was same man she had heard him to be. How foolish of her to have thought otherwise.
Taking Rachael’s offer, Isabel began her retreat to her room without giving the Baron any notice or a courtesy greeting. The day was already far spent, and the sound of trees and crickets filled the night air.
Fireflies added a special lighting to that of the touch in Rachael’s hand. The night was calm, and the air was cool against Isabel’s warm skin. It helped to soothe the burning sensation she had felt with the Baron.
