Not just any man – his.
Only Richard had somehow managed to set her body and soul alight, had managed to put her under his spell. She found herself growing strangely… attached. His presence used to be tense andstrained, but now that she had gotten a glimpse of the kindness underneath, it was growing hard to be apart from him. And she could not understand why.
Isobel sat up in her bed, the covers slipping off her body and piling around her waist, and sighed. Sleep was clearly not forthcoming, and the growing storm of questions within her was making it even harder to stay still.
She wanted someone to talk to – needed an ear that would listen as she poured out all of the things that bothered her greatly.
Her twin sister came to mind, and she recalled that in the days she had been at the house, she had not been able to see her at all. The one time she had tried, her plans had been foiled, and Richard had sent her back to her room.
“Perhaps it is time I tried again,” she muttered to herself, slipping out of bed.
Isobel picked up her dressing gown and put it on as she walked to the door. As she pulled it closed, she opened the door and jumped, noticing that someone was standing in the doorway, their back towards her.
Fear gripped her heart as she wondered if this might be the same person who had hurt Valerie, now here to finish the job.
Her lips parted to call for help, but before the words could leave her mouth, the person turned around.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Y-Your Grace?”
To his credit, the duke did seem as startled as she was, and she nearly relented, only to eventually realize that he was the one who should be courteous towards her after the fright he had given her.
“Where are you going at –”
“I believe I am the one who should be asking you questions. What on earth are you doing here? Why were you standing in my doorway?” Isobel cut him off swiftly.
Richard glanced behind him and put a finger to his lips, stepping closer towards her.
“Lower your voice. It is late, and the last thing we need is to raise questions by attracting any sort of attention right now,” he whispered quickly, his voice soft.
The closeness allowed his scent to captivate her attention, and she found herself leaning in without thinking, as though her body was being pulled closer to his by his warmth.
If Richard noticed the subtle shift, he did not question it, but he did stare at her strangely. His expression sent a jolt of shock through her as she realized his eyes looked just like they did, right before he kissed her passionately. With a quick shake of her head to dispel those thoughts, she pointed at him, stating in a hushed tone.
“That should be the least of your worries, currently. If anything, you will be the one questioned because you were lingering in front of a young woman’s room. A woman who is to be married soon. Care to explain?”
The corner of his lips twitched, as though he was fighting the urge to be amused by her attitude, and Isobel hated herself for finding that tiny action attractive. She glared at him in response, prompting him to respond,
“I was not lingering. I was… going to fetch myself a cup of water, and I only stopped here to rest from my walk.”
“Oh, certainly, Your Grace. I am sure the walk must have been much longer than you expected it to be – seeing as you were heading in the wrong direction. Correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t the guests stay on the lower floors?”
He winced, and she poked at his chest with her finger.
“Tell me what you were doing here and why. Or else, I will make a fuss loud enough, you’ll have more to answer to.” Isobel threatened.
Richard scoffed, but it sounded as though he was more impressed than annoyed with her. With a sigh, he held his hands up,
“I was… I have been standing watch here. For a little while at night.”
Isobel blinked. “I beg your pardon?”
“For a few nights now, I have spent a little time here making sure you are safe. I have been discreet, so as not to attract any attention or disturb you. I merely felt it was important to ensure your safety was a priority, seeing as you have been tasked to risk yourself for another.”
Isobel felt as though her heart had gone still, and then it began to beat so loudly that she could feel her head thrumming with the echo of it in her ears.
That was… extremely thoughtful and kind. She had not received such kindness from anyone who was not in the family she had grown up with. Her birth father couldn't care less, but this man, who had barely tolerated her at first, was going out of his way to take care of her.
