“Certainly, I must redeem myself. But first, cake? Tea, perhaps?” He asked hopefully.
“Of course. Just one moment,” Isabel requested before stepping out into the hall. Wesley was shining shoes there, so she beckoned him over to speak to the kitchens for a moment.
Then she returned to the drawing room where Thomas had left his seat to look out through the windows. He leaned over the side table to get a better glance. “It’s still looking awfully damp out there,” he called to her.
“It is winter,” she reminded him. “The staff says being so close to the ocean makes everything twice as damp as London.”
He sighed. “I miss London. Don’t you?”
“It is strange not to be there,” Isabel admitted before giving it a moment of consideration. “I miss familiar places to visit. But… I like it here. It’s dark and damp, yes, but Eastwynd is still beautiful. I love walking outside and I like the staff here. It’s a lovely place to live.”
Turning, Thomas settled in the chair and gazed at her with a thoughtful look. “Do you truly like it or did you convince yourself that you like it because of the rumors?”
She stiffened. “You heard?”
A sympathetic and knowing glance speared his face as he studied her. “I told you, I care. I would have come if I could have. So I suppose I should be grateful to the duke. Well done, Isabel, finding yourself a husband to save your reputation.”
“It wasn’t like that,” she started before stalling, because they knew the truth. Isabel hesitated. She felt a flush ofembarrassment warring across her cheeks as she cleared her throat. “It was all… simply… a misunderstanding.”
Thomas chuckled before rising to his feet. “That’s what it always is. Don’t worry, Isabel. You know I would protect you. You know I care about you. You’re my sister. It’s important to me that you are cared for. That’s why I’m here.”
“Thank you, I think,” she said with a tight smile.
“I’m sure whenever you return to London that all will be well for you. For your marriage, however, I cannot help but wonder… about the duke,” Thomas said with a slight wince. “This is hardly a normal union.”
Frowning, Isabel slowly moved away and went back to her seat. She thought a spot of distance might be good while she listened to whatever he said. “What do you mean?”
“Well, I know the duke saved your reputation. As he should, for the rumors that were going around were horrendous,” her brother added. He gazed up at the ceiling mercifully as she felt her cheeks heat up. “Honestly, Isabel, I cannot imagine what possessed you to be caught up with a man such as he. As relieved as I am that he did the proper thing, I do wish he also cared for you. Truly cared for you.”
Slowly she shook her head. There were so many instances of Sebastian protecting her that came to mind that she had to correct him. “That’s not fair, Thomas. You don’t know him like I do.”
“Then you do know him?”
Her mouth opened and closed. Then she did it again, struggling with her words. “I… I know enough. I know he cares for me.”
“But in what way?” Thomas persisted gently. “The man is known for being dangerous. He has a cold heart, does he not? After the life he lived… He must. All of London says so. Perhaps he does protect you. Any husband should do that. It’s probably in the Book of Common Prayer. But I worry it’s not enough. Look, you’re here all alone in this large house without a soul for company, so far from the world you know. Does he know if you are happy? If this is what you want? Does he really know you? See you?”
“I…” Isabel shifted in annoyance, bristling over this barrage of questions. Maybe Sebastian knew her and maybe he didn’t. After all, did anyone really know anyone?
He’s just being annoying now, asking brotherly questions. He doesn’t know Sebastian, what my husband has done for me. And Sebastian is busy, that’s why he isn’t here. He’s always busy doing something important. To him, I’m simply… Well, sometimes I’m important to him. I think.
All Isabel wanted to do was protect her husband. That was what a proper wife did. And Sebastian had been a good man to her, not one she should find much fault in. Except… He didn’t really wish for her to have gone with him today. Lately, he didn’t really want anything from her, only strange moments that left her questioning and confused about the two of them.
“Protection,” Sebastian was always telling her. “Nothing more.”
It’s so frustrating talking to him sometimes. I could have sworn he wished to kiss me on Christmas at the piano. The way my heart leapt… Except nothing happened. It never seemed to happen at all. I don’t know what is on his mind, how he keeps confusing me…
What if she was getting confused over nothing? As Isabel picked up another game of chess with her brother, she struggled to shove the words away. Because at the end of the day, she worried there might be some truth in regard to what Thomas was saying.
Sebastian was a good man, but what did he really see in her? A wife, or merely a duty?
CHAPTER 24
“Oh, there she is.”
Sebastian immediately lifted his gaze, feeling guilty, as he raised his hands from where Pearl was purring in his lap. “I didn’t… erm, I didn’t steal her.”
“No?” Isabel raised her eyebrow. “Then did she steal herself in here?”
