“Aunt Deborah!” she called a little loudly when she was close enough. “Good morning!”
The older woman appeared startled for a moment, but then she smiled kindly and responded,
“Good morning. I must say it is wonderful to see you in such high spirits. Am I to hope that you have made a full recovery?” Deborah questioned.
“Absolutely,” Isobel nodded. “Rest was the trick. I needed quite a lot of it after what happened. That is why I have been retiring early. I slept quite well last night, too.”
“That is why most physicians advise that we prioritize living stress-free lives. When your mind and heart are unburdened, you will have enough clarity and peace to rest as much as you require. I am glad to see you are feeling much better.” Deborah told her earnestly.
Perhaps a little too earnest. Isobel narrowed her eyes briefly, then she nodded with a bright smile.
“Thank you for your kindness, Aunt Deborah. I do hope you practice what you preach and keep your mind and heart unburdened. Have you been resting well? I cannot help but notice that you seem a tad tired.”
Deborah looked surprised, but then she swiftly responded. “I am quite all right, dear. I do rest quite well here – better than I do at home, in fact. Might be because I am so close to your father and all you wonderful children.”
“Are you sure?” Isobel pressed, managing to keep her voice light and imploring. “I think I heard some people mention that they had heard a few people wandering about at odd hours last night. I do hope you were not one of such people, considering that I had seen you around the library much later after dinner. Did you go to bed right after? Did you get enough sleep? Do you need me to ask the cook to make you some calming tea?”
Deborah sighed deeply and gently rested her hand on Isobel’s arm, her touch strangely clammy. Isobel hoped she was about to divulge some information behind her late-night excursion, and leaned closely.
“You are a wonderfully sweet child, Valerie. My brother is truly blessed to have such a kind daughter, one who values family above all. I had been rather worried before I arrived, because I was worried about Gregory and you.” Her aunt sighed tiredly.
“My father and I?” Isobel blinked, confused. “Why were you worried about us?”
“Well… I had tried to convince him to invite your sister here for your wedding.”
Isobel felt something in her twist painfully. “M-My – you knew? That I have –”
“Of course! He confided in me after he had separated you both. He told me he had left your sister at a monastery in Scotland, and I did not approve, but I understood why. He is rather… irresponsible, with his resources, sometimes. But he loves you and your younger siblings, and at the time, that was all he could think of to sustain his family. When Cecil was born, I thought he would retrieve your sister to reunite the growing family, but he maintained that your sister was likely better off where she was, instead. And then… upon hearing news of your engagement, I suggested that this would be a wonderful occasion to bring the whole family together. I practically insisted that he bring your twin sister to share your happy moment.”
The slight pain that had manifested in Isobel began to throb as its intensity seemed to grow. She could scarcely breathe, but she was determined to hear everything she could. She wanted to understand just… why she had been abandoned so coldly, why her father was determined to keep her away from the life he had constructed without her.
“But he refused, time and time again,” Deborah went on, unaware of the fact that she was breaking Isobel’s heart. “He was so unwilling to at least consider it, despite my best efforts to make him see reason. It saddens me to see him so embarrassed by the child that had been raised apart from the family, especially when he should be embarrassed by himself and his actions. Because he is the reason things ended this way. No parent should ever abandon their child. I am sorry I could not do more to ensure that your sister could be here to witness your wedding.”
Gregory had never wanted her back. Isobel had already surmised as much, but receiving confirmation on her suspicions was rather… hurtful. However, there was something odd about the way her aunt spoke to her.
Her tone was overly kind and polite as she had expressed her disappointment with her brother, but Isobel couldn’t help but notice a glint in her eyes. They didn’t seem as apologetic as she claimed to be, and at some point, her voice fell flat – almost maliciously.
Deborah was hiding something.
Isobel wondered what it could be, her lips parting to question her aunt some more, but the voice she heard did not belong to her.
“Pardon me, Miss Wightman. I would like to speak to the bride-to-be for a moment, as I have some important news for her from her betrothed.”
Isobel stiffened as Richard stood next to her, irritated by her disappointing luck. Her aunt, on the other hand, seemed utterly pleased to be in the presence of the duke.
“Oh my, good morning, Your Grace. I apologize for not approaching you sooner. It is a shame we have not spoken more during this season of festivities,” Deborah beamed.
Richard smiled, charming and suave as he shook his head nobly.
“Do not fret,” he told her earnestly. “I will ensure that we get a chance to sit and talk over a nice cup of tea. For now, however, I must borrow Miss Wightman.”
He turned to Isobel, his gaze almost daring her to wander off and away from him again. She knew that there was no escape this time and stifled a sigh as she nodded and plastered a bright smile on her face.
“Certainly, Your Grace. Please, lead the way.”
One of his eyebrows twitched at her pleasant tone, and he stepped aside and gestured before him. Isobel inhaled deeply and nodded, addressing her aunt briefly.
“Enjoy the rest of your morning, Aunt Deborah. I look forward to speaking to you later as well.”
