“I appreciate this gesture, I truly do, but I cannot be responsible for your actions this night.” She pointed a finger at Annabel. “Your parents will be angry if they learn about this.” Then she turned the finger on her sisters. “And Mother will be furious.”
Juliet waved away Isabel’s concerns. “Annabel’s parents are away, so they will never know. And as to Hannah and me? We do not care what punishment we receive. This is our last night with our sister, and we mean to make the most of it!”
Isabel’s heart softened as she looked at the three girls who stood before her. No, they were not girls any longer; they were young women. Poor Annabel was left alone often, her parents off on one adventure or another, so she had become more a sister than a cousin. And although Juliet was prone to mischief, Isabel loved her vivaciousness. Hannah, typically the quiet one of them all, wore such a wide grin, she could do nothing but agree to their mad plans, whatever they were.
“Oh, very well,” she said to a chorus of cheers. “However, we cannot be out late. I am getting married in the morning, after all.”
They traveled no more than fifteen minutes before coming to a stop. “Come on!” Juliet said as she jumped from the carriage. “It is over here.”
Isabel followed the trio down a path that led to a wide glen where a small campfire crackled inside a ring of stones. Beside it stood a lone figure she could not make out.
“Who is that?” Isabel asked. “And what are we doing here in such a remote place?”
“That is Daniel, the stable boy,” Juliet replied in a sing-song voice. “I asked him to arrive early and prepare the campfire for us.”
“He is not your personal servant to do your bidding,” Isabel chastised. “Perhaps the man needs to rest after a hard day’s work in the stables.” She could not see Juliet’s face in the darkness, but Isabel was certain the concept eluded the girl.
As they approached the fire, Daniel bowed. “Miss Juliet,” he said, “I did what you asked me to. Is the fire acceptable?”
Juliet gave the man a smile. “Very good. You have done me proud.”
Isabel rolled her eyes.
“Now, I ask but one more favor of you,” Juliet continued.
“Yes,” came his ready reply. “Whatever you wish.”
“Stand guard close by, for while we enjoy ourselves, we would not wish to have unscrupulous highwaymen stumble across our campfire and find we are women of high society. Who knows what they would do to us!” She did not sound one whit concerned that those four women would be found in their nightclothes!
“That I will, Miss,” Daniel replied and then moved to the outside of the glow of the fire, facing outward and peering into the near-darkness.
Four blankets sat around the fire, and rather than unrolling them, they used them as cushions, for, although the sun had set several hours earlier, it was late summer, so the air was warm enough to not require more covering. This thought made Isabel want to laugh; their state of undress most certainly called for covering!
Annabel pulled a bottle from her bag and held it up for all to see. “This is the finest brandy in all of England. Tonight, we share in it as a token of our love for Isabel.”
Isabel looked on in astonishment. Rather than removing glasses from her bag as Isabel would have expected, the girl simply removed the cork and took a drink straight from the bottle! She coughed into her arm before passing the bottle to Juliet. When Juliet drank, Isabel could not help but notice that her sister did not cough, a clear sign that this was not her first experience with drinking brandy. Nor her second, for that matter.
When Juliet passed the bottle to Hannah, the poor girl gave it a concerned look.
“Go on,” Juliet said. “I shall make sure the man behind you does not put his hands on you in a disgraceful manner.”
Hannah gasped and looked over her shoulder, and Isabel could not help but join in the laughter. With a glare, Hannah took a drink and then grimaced as she handed the bottle to Isabel.
For a moment, Isabel simply stared at the bottle. Although she had not received such attention before her first marriage, she would never be able to express how much this night meant to her. Therefore, she held up the bottle and said, “We are drinking like thieves in the night. Or perhaps this is what pirates do? Either way, we drink to our future—all our futures!” She smiled and put the bottle to her lips. The liquid burned her throat, but it warmed her chilled limbs and sent a pleasant tingling through her body.
She passed the bottle back to Juliet. “Thank you for this,” she said. “I am already enjoying our time together.”
“Think nothing of it,” Juliet replied. “It is my pleasure…all of ours…to plan this.”
Isabel laughed. “We certainly are not acting like ladies tonight, are we? If we are caught, the shame will be great.” This made them all laugh.
“Isabel?” Annabel said. “May I ask you something? About your marriage, that is.”
Isabel nodded. She wondered if the subject would arise. In all reality, she had expected it, but she had hoped it would not come. She was still steadfast in her decision to not have them learn the truth behind her impending marriage, no matter the cost. And especially not while they had gone to such lengths to celebrate.
“Do you plan to have lots of children?”
“Yes,” Hannah said, leaning forward with interest. “I am curious about this, as well. Juliet believes you will bear the man at least a dozen, but I believe four is more to your liking.”
Relieved, Isabel smiled as she looked at the curious faces. As much as Juliet believed she was knowledgeable about the ways of the world, she was not, and she had a hard reality awaiting her. “When the time comes,” she replied, “Laurence and I shall decide how many children we will have. However,” she turned her attention to Juliet, “I can assure you that it will not be a dozen.”
This seemed to appease Annabel, but then Hannah asked, “I have a question. Juliet said you kissed Laurence when you were younger, and that is why he has come back for your hand. Is that true?”
Juliet giggled, and Isabel could not help but grin. “No. It was not for that reason.”
“Then why?” Hannah demanded. “I thought you would never marry again.”
The words stung, and Isabel had to stay her tongue. “Notions of love,” she said as she took the bottle from Juliet, “is certainly worthy conversation. However, around a campfire on a night such as tonight? No, we have more interesting topics to discuss.”
“I agree,” Juliet said. “Such as kissing. May I ask…what is it like?”
Hannah gaped at her sister. “You have not been kissed yet?”
“No, silly,” came Juliet’s reply. “And certainly not by a simple stable boy. My kisses are reserved for a man so handsome that his mere presence will cause women to fall over in envy.”
“Isabel?” Annabel asked, “what is a kiss like?”
Isabel laughed. “It is something that is not to be taken frivolously. Only those in love—and married,” she added with a glare for Juliet, “but as to the feeling…” Her words trailed off as she recalled the first kiss she received from Arthur. What an amazing experience that had been. “Well, it is wonderful.”
The questions continued, and the girls soon talked of men, marriage, and the upcoming season. Through it all, Isabel answered when she could, and sought to give them advice that they needed, while at the same time reserving the most intimate of details to herself. The night grew long, and as she took another drink from the bottle, she was thankful for the excursion her sisters had planned, as crude as it was around a campfire and brandy straight from the bottle. But it had been done in love, and that meant everything to Isabel. Soon, these three young ladies would fall in love, marry, and eventually leave Scarlett Hall, and she could not imagine spending these last few days in any other way.
Chapter Eleven
Promises. Isabel had made many in her life. She had made promises to be on her best behavior. Given her word to
keep a particular secret. Pledged to complete a task asked of her. Now, she stood in the gardens of Camellia Estates to make a vow to obey, serve, honor, love, and keep until death as she had done when she married Arthur, and her mother and sisters were once again in attendance to bear witness. The numbness had returned; however, with her family offering her the grandest of smiles, she at least could force her lips to speak the required words.
One attendee did not offer a smile. Lady Harriet Darlington, Marchioness of Gattlingstone, might have been sister to Laurence, but the two were as different from one another as cats are to dogs. She made it quite clear that she was bored, evident by the tapping of her foot on the cobblestone. However, she made no comment beyond several sighs. Other than the marchioness and Hannah’s family, no others were in attendance, for which Isabel was glad.
The truth of the matter was it was difficult enough to put on the appearance of joy for the few who witnessed the ceremony. However, knowing the ton and their propensity to gossip, the peerage would wonder at the reason for such a quick wedding, and she did not have the strength to lie. Not at that moment and about such a complex situation. Certainly, she could speak an oath she did not feel, but that was different from skirting around the truth and making it believable with people she barely knew.
The old vicar raised a hand as gnarled as the trees that surrounded them as he recited one of the many prayers. Love would guide their footsteps. A bright future lay before them. The words were meant for Isabel and Laurence, but Isabel hoped her sisters would listen, as well.
Hannah and Juliet—and even Annabel—had been spared the disgrace of a rushed wedding, and although they were not aware of the true reasons behind this decision, she prayed they would capitalize on the time that remained before they were also married. The time as children had come to an end, and now they were women; she prayed they would act as such. How they spent the remainder of their unwed lives was what was important.
“Isabel?” Laurence whispered.
She turned her gaze to him. His wavy hair had been neatly combed back, and he wore a kind smile.
“We are finished.”
“Oh,” she said, stifling her gasp. “I am sorry. The excitement…”
The vicar offered a polite smile, and Laurence turned to address their families. “It has been an honor to have you here today; to witness our exchanging of vows. I suggest we return to the dining hall where breakfast will be served.”
Lady Darlington rolled her eyes, acting less a lady than even Juliet. She might be sister to Laurence, but Isabel hoped the woman would be returning to her own home soon.
“Laurence,” the woman said in her haughty tone, “I must speak with you.”
“I will meet you inside,” Laurence whispered. When Isabel nodded, he walked over to his sister and Isabel joined her family.
Her mother wrapped her arms around her, her eyes brimming with tears. “I am so pleased.”
I am sure you are, Isabel thought; although she said nothing, for that blessed numbness stayed her tongue.
“You are a duchess now,” Hannah said. “I would never have thought you would receive such a title!” Then she hung her head. “Not that you are unworthy of such a title.”
Isabel laughed. “I understand your meaning.” She waited out the other embraces and showers of congratulations before saying, “Shall we go eat?”
“I am hungry,” Juliet said. “And tired.” She displayed a wide grin, and Isabel could not help but return it. They had returned to Scarlett Hall well past midnight, and it had taken Isabel several hours to fall asleep despite the effects of the brandy.
Laurence approached and said, “May I have a word for a moment?”
Isabel nodded and turned to her family. “I will meet you inside.”
“I hope there are scones,” Juliet said as she followed Hannah, Annabel, and their mother inside. “I will waste away to nothing if I do not eat soon.”
“You are going to become as large as a house if you are not careful,” Annabel said with a giggle.
Soon, they were out of sight.
“Is everything all right?” Isabel asked when her family had gone.
“Indeed,” Laurence replied. “All is wonderful, in fact. It is Harriet; she wishes to speak to you alone.”
Isabel glanced over at the woman in her delicate blue dress and wide-brimmed hat. “Oh?” she asked, attempting to hide her suspicion.
“I believe she wishes to welcome you to the family.”
Isabel studied the marchioness for a moment and doubted highly what he said was the case. However, rather than argue the fact, she said, “Then I shall speak to her.” She forced a smile that Laurence seemed to accept without fault.
She walked over to Lady Darlington, who waited in the shade of a large tree, fanning herself with vigor. “You wished to speak to me?” Isabel asked, pleased that her voice remained calm.
“It must be exciting to be a duchess,” the woman said in an overly sweet tone. “Do you not believe so?”
“I am pleased to be married to Laurence, if that is what you ask,” Isabel replied. “Whether he has a title or not is of no concern to me.”
Lady Darlington looked past Isabel as if she had not spoken. “Laurence,” she called, “you have guests inside. Do not keep them waiting.”
Isabel was shocked enough at the manner in which this woman spoke to her brother; however, when he complied without thought, she was flabbergasted.
“My brother is not the brightest of dukes,” Lady Darlington said with a dismissive hand. “Like a dog, he must be trained.”
Whatever numbness that had settled on Isabel disappeared, replaced by annoyance. “I believe he is acceptable the way he is,” she said in retort, not caring if her tone had a bite to it. If this woman was not careful, she would bite her!
“Oh?” Lady Darlington replied. “Does that include his leg?”
Isabel was taken aback. “Of course. Why would it not?”
The marchioness sniffed. “Most women find the sight of his limp revolting. Like a serving of haggis. It is spoken about in wonder, but it scares anyone away.”
“I assure you, his leg—and his title—are of no importance to me,” Isabel said, finding it difficult to remain in the woman’s company for too much longer. If she did, she might just slap the ninny! “Now, if you will excuse me, I have guests waiting.”
As Isabel turned to leave, Lady Darlington caught her by the wrist. “I do not know what game you are playing, Mrs. Barnet, but rest assured, I shall be keeping my eye on you.”
“You believe my marriage to Laurence contrived?”
“I believe so, yes,” the marchioness replied with a quick nod. She released Isabel and gave her the sweetest of smiles as footsteps approached. “But we shall see,” she said, her dulcet tones returned. “I believe that, in the end, we will become good friends. Like sisters.”
Laurence walked up to them, but Isabel could do nothing but stare at the woman.
“Sisters?” Laurence said with a laugh. “I had hoped you two would become fast friends, but this is better than I could have hoped.”
“We shall do everything together,” Lady Darlington said with a smile. “That is, if the new duchess would be so kind as to allow me to be near her?”
Isabel clutched the skirts of her gown to keep from striking the woman. She wanted to call out this woman as a liar, but she could not. Not yet. Therefore, she replied, “Indeed. That would be lovely.”
“Brilliant!” Laurence said. “Come. The food is ready, and we have our marriage to celebrate.”
As they walked inside, Isabel’s stomach began to knot once more. Not only had she gained a new husband to please, but it also appeared she had acquired a sinister sister-in-law, as well.
***
Isabel gathered with her sisters as they waited for the carriage to be brought around. They had enjoyed a lovely breakfast banquet that consisted of pickled herring, honey cakes, a variety of tarts, and lovely roll
s dripping with butter. Now, however, her family was to leave, and Isabel was shocked when Juliet threw her arms around her crying and clinging as if she did not want to leave.
“I will miss you,” Juliet cried. “Will we see each other again?”
Isabel kissed her head and laughed. “Of course we will. We are not but three miles apart. I will be at Scarlett Hall so often, you will wish me to leave!”
“Never,” Juliet said as she wiped at her eyes. Then she kissed Isabel’s cheek and moved to allow Hannah to fawn over Isabel.
“If I need you,” Hannah said as she grasped Isabel’s hands so tightly, Isabel thought the bones would break, “may I call over?”
“The silly questions I have received today!” Isabel said with a light laugh. “One would believe I have never been married and away from Scarlett Hall before. Of course, you may call over whenever you wish.” She took Annabel’s hand. “All of you are welcome.” Her words seemed to calm them, and they were less reluctant to leave when the carriage arrived.
As the girls stepped into the vehicle, Isabel turned to face her mother. She did not wish to be angry with the woman any longer, but she could not help the feelings that remained.
“I know you are angry with me,” her mother said as if she could read Isabel’s thoughts. “And I will not attempt to convince you otherwise.” She gave a heavy sigh. “Since the day you were born, I have wanted the best for you. I hope that, one day, you will understand that.”
Without so much as an embrace or a kiss on the cheek, the woman left Isabel and stepped into the carriage, leaving Isabel to stare after her. It did not matter, for words failed her. The anger remained, but it lessened somehow. Her mother was right; she only wanted what was best for her. And for her family.
As the carriage drove away, Isabel sighed. Her sisters were returning to Scarlett Hall, and she prayed they would find happiness.
Then the curtain moved, and Juliet pressed her face against the window with her tongue sticking out. The melancholy that had befallen Isabel washed away, and she laughed until the carriage was out of view. Juliet had always been one to change her moods. Sometimes she could frustrate her, but at other times, such as this, she brought her joy.
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