She herself had started corresponding with them slowly through letters. It had only been a handful thus far, but it was more than before. She had hopes that someday, all would be well between them.
“I mean for us. For you. I always thought of myself as a protector for you. I still remember when you were born. What a bold little girl you were, befriending the servants and father’s hounds. You have always been a shining example of who I should be. Trustworthy and caring and good. I should have done more for you. If only…”
Yet something about his words didn’t reassure her. “If only what?”
“No, don’t make me say it.”
Pulling her hands from him, Isabel sighed. “I cannot understand you when you speak in riddles, Thomas. Please do speak plainly.”
“You are right. You are always right, Isabel.” He sighed, leaning back against the tree. “What a brave duchess you have become. You practically shine. How grateful I am, truly, that you have someone to protect you now. I only wish I could do more.”
She shook her head. “You don’t need to do more, Thomas. You cannot do everything.”
“Yes, perhaps, and yet… Oh I shouldn’t. But if I don’t, then what will happen?” He talked to himself a moment before looking at her with a sad expression. “And you, my dear sister. What of you? For is protection all that he gives you?”
“Not this again,” Isabel sighed. “I don’t wish to talk about my marriage with you, Thomas.”
He frowned. “Whyever not? I am still your elder brother. I can protect you from mud puddles as a girl and then what? Am I to fall in them myself? I hear things, Isabel. I hear how Eastwynd keeps even his closest friends at arm’s length. The duke has a troubled past.”
Huffing, she gave a short shake of her head. “Everyone knows this.”
“And does everyone know that he married you only to silence gossip? Do you know that? Because I see the way you look at him.”
That made her cheeks flush. It was enough of a struggle to regularly fight feelings that she didn’t wish to feel. But could they be seen by everyone else? She took a small step back. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Do not get yourself caught up in his web,” her brother counseled. She resisted the urge to groan over him. “The man cannot be trusted. Perhaps he protects you in some ways but not all. I couldn’t do it, either. You must know better, Isabel.”
“Know what?” She snapped, growing tired of this. “Why don’t we go back inside? Perhaps we should talk to him and––”
“I only mean to say is that if he ever tells you not to love him, to like him, to care, that you must trust what he says,” Thomas insisted.
Isabel paused.
Has he not said that to me? That we cannot be more, that we will never be anything? Only married in name? Did he actually tell me not to care? I don’t recall.
The lump in her throat grew, making it difficult to swallow. “Thomas…”
“You must trust that he cannot protect you from everything. That he won’t. Because… I should not tell you this, sister, but I have strong reason to believe there is another woman.”
“What?” She gave a short laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous, Thomas.”
“Just because you have not seen her or heard of her, doesn’t mean she doesn’t exist,” he started. “Don’t you see? This is why I didn’t wish to tell you. But I had to say something. You deserve the truth. You cannot trust the man you married. It is best––”
She raised a hand, pushing him back when he stepped closer. “No. I don’t want to listen to another word you say right now, Thomas. Don’t you dare talk about my husband. Never, do you hear me? You drank too much or you’ve been playing cards for too long. I don’t care what you say, only that I know you are wrong. Find your own way home, please. Good night.”
“If you find him in the conservatory, then you must know I’m right!”
Waving a dismissive hand, she huffed and went off. Thomas was being nonsensical. He didn’t know Sebastian. No matter what anyone said, Isabel knew her husband cared for her. Maybe not in all the ways that she desired, but it was more than anyone else might.
I’ll show Thomas. Sebastian is trustworthy. I’ll go find him right now and prove it.
CHAPTER 28
Making his way down the hall, Sebastian scoped the cards room and cigar room in search of Thomas. He nodded to familiar faces but kept moving on, wanting to make certain Isabel could feel secure and free from her worries. Even if it meant tending to a brother who couldn’t be trusted.
We all have family we cannot choose. The best thing I can do is to help her through it, that is all. Then perhaps I can steal another dance and we can go home together this night.
Holding her in his arms again sounded more satisfying than he cared to admit. His pace picked up. There had been one evening back in Eastwynd where he had read aloud to Isabel while she dozed off beside him, her head falling against his shoulder. He couldn’t get over her floral scent and was still looking for another excuse to bring them together again.
