But there to be a middle line and he was more than glad to walk it.
The young and brash could only be so young and brash. Circling around his wife, Sebastian put himself between her and Warner. The man was tall but thin. He had bragged earlier that evening about his fencing capabilities, but it was clear Warner was still nothing more than a dandy.
“Mind your tongue,” Sebastian charged, barely containing the urge to give the young man a hard shake. “I would be careful opening that mouth again if I were you. Words said cannot be taken back.”
“Oh. Ah. I, I, uh… I’m terribly sorry, I didn’t…” Warner paled and backed up a few steps, still angling his neck up to gape at him in dismay. “I beg your pardon, Your Grace.”
While the young man hastily took his leave of this corner of the room, still stammering his apologies, Sebastian forced himself to relax.
One deep breath and then another. He was out of the ring now, and everything was right. No one would say another word.
“Sebastian?” Isabel whispered.
The hesitation in her voice stung and he realized he might have gone too far. Had he scared her? Scolding himself, Sebastian sought a distraction.
He turned and immediately offered his arm to his wife. Ignoring her stare, Sebastian spoke calmly. “I think there’s some port to be poured. Shall we?”
CHAPTER 15
“Thank you again,” Isabel told the baroness warmly while Sebastian was nearby with the baron saying their farewells.
What an eventful evening it had been, she thought. Much too eventful. She was uncomfortable and tired from all that she had been through, even the lovely moments. Now she just wished to retire for the evening and sort through the mix of feelings of what had happened.
Even now, she was replaying all that Sebastian had done for her. Said for her. No one had done anything like that for her before.
“And perhaps in the new year, we shall host another party. I do hate to leave this house. It’s so very lovely. I redecorate every year. And the rest of the world is so terribly dirty. London grows filthier every year, you know, it’s dreadful. Perhaps you will see for yourself soon and choose to stay out in the countryside as well,” the baroness spoke on cheerfully while Isabel barely nodded.
“Right, yes, of course.”
“We wish you the happiest of holidays, as well!”
Isabel nodded. “And to you, as well.”
“And thank you so kindly for your generosity. What thoughtful gifts!”
There was more nodding and more smiling and more words to smile and nod about until Sebastian stepped up at her side. “We should be on our way before it’s too dark. Our many thanks, my lady, and good night.”
“Good night! And do be safe!”
“Good night and Happy Christmas!” Isabel called over her shoulder while her cloak was round about her neck. She clasped it with shaky hands before eagerly following Sebastian out into their waiting carriage.
Sighing with relief, she collapsed into her seat and slumped there. She fiddled with her cloak and the cushions to grow more comfortable in the confined space. It didn’t take long before Sebastian was seated across from her, and they were on their journey home.
Isabel thought at first that her husband might start conversation for one reason or another. It had been an eventful evening.
Except now he wasn’t saying a word. He didn’t even look her way.
Fiddling with her skirt for another minute, Isabel tried to decide if it was worth staying quiet. She could keep her mouth shut. Not say a word.
Isn’t that what I keep doing? I keep saying nothing and that takes us nowhere. No, I want… Well, I’m not entirely certain what I want at the moment, but it can’t be this. There must be something better. Something we can find or create for ourselves.
She opened her mouth with a slight gasp, garnering Sebastian’s sudden gaze. There was something in her throat. Coughing, she looked away and tried discreetly waving one hand to calm the sudden blush.
Then there was quiet again.
Exhaling, Isabel told herself she had to try again. She took a few deep breaths before clearing her throat.
“How strange it is for us,” she said in a soft voice, quieter than she meant. “You have a way of always saving me.”
