We’re all getting on with our lives, it seems.
Ronan rolled his eyes before leading the way into the next room. He let out a short chuckle before falling into a chair and beckoning over a servant for a bottle of brandy. Two glasses were filled for them.
After a long drink, Ronan shot him a look. “You married without us there. That was very disappointing.”
“It couldn’t be helped.”
“Even more disappointing,” his friend groaned. “Now, you’ll be like the others. Always disappearing. It’s hard enough to find you on a fair day. Now, you’ll be tucked away under some cottage roof with your wife.”
Sebastian clutched his glass tightly while offering a mild look. “If you wish to marry so badly, you can find yourself a wife.”
Raising an eyebrow, Ronan asked, “Shall I scoop her up in my arms at midnight in a snowy lane?”
He didn’t particularly like everyone knowing the story. It had been a risk, helping Isabel that evening. The memory was stillclear: her yellow dress, the blade, the whip, and her cold hands. “Do what you will.”
“I should have known it would be you saving a damsel in distress. What a good story it makes. One of the macaroni lads has promised to write an extraordinarily long poem about it.”
“He won’t.” Sebastian would be certain to stop that should it ever come to light. It would only embarrass Isabel.
Then something hit him. He jerked, turning back to Ronan who stared with a pointed look.
“What?” he demanded.
“I should be asking you that. I’ve asked you five questions to no avail. Where is your head, Sebastian?”
Apparently, it was elsewhere, along with his drink. He had drained the brandy and lost himself in thought. No, in Isabel. Rubbing his head, Sebastian wondered what had happened to him.
Ronan leaned forward. “Is something wrong?”
“No,” Sebastian replied, but he wasn’t particularly certain that something was right. His thoughts wandered back to his conversation with Marcus, the man who enjoyed the holiday season. What if Isabel liked the holiday season? Some peopletraveled for it. Ronan often wound up in Italy. Perhaps Isabel wanted to go to Italy for the winter.
Except he couldn’t very well ask her if she was at Eastwynd and he was in London.
CHAPTER 9
Winter had truly arrived at the Eastwynd estate. Heavy ocean winds brought a thick chill while bright white snow scattered across the grounds. It was blindingly bright, a shade Isabel wasn’t certain she had known could take place.
The snow in London is surely never so pure in color, and perhaps not even so cold.
Now if only Isabel’s nose, the last part of her to still feel cold from her morning stroll, would finally warm.
Fortunately, a distraction wasn’t too difficult to come by as she lingered by the large fire in the drawing room, singing to herself. Winter had swept in and the holidays were nearly upon them.
“Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; with th’angelic hosts proclaim,” she sang cheerfully, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
It was the merriest sort of song. She rose from her seat by the fire to stroll toward the window. When the words of the next verse wouldn’t come to her, however, she hummed.
How beautiful the world looks out there. If only it could be a little friendlier. Much like a particular husband. The staff doubts him more than I think they should, and yet he won’t give me the opportunity to prove them all right.
It didn’t help how Sebastian kept leaving home. He had gone to London two days ago, and then spent all of yesterday somewhere else. No one seemed to have any insight. As for today…
“Joyful,” Isabel started to pick up the chorus but stopped short when she heard a creaking sound on the other side of the room.
Gasping, she twisted around.
Sebastian stood in the doorway, one foot in, with a strange expression on his face. Their eyes met. What she wouldn’t give to have half an idea of what he was thinking. Hope sparked. Maybe he wanted to join her here. He didn’t have to sing. Just his company would be welcome. Perhaps he could try to smile again.
But he stepped back just as she was looking for something to say. There was that shadow in his gaze and she wanted to bring it to the light.
