The yearning feeling returned, and Isobel noticed this time, her body didn’t just crave his touch, her heart wished to go along with it.
‘No,’ she told herself sternly. ‘Perish the thought immediately. There is nothing between us, and he has another woman whom he intends to marry. Unrealistic expectations and hope will only lead to disappointment.’
So, Isobel sniffed and nodded. “I see.”
Then she slipped past him and began to walk down the hall, intent on carrying out what she had intended to do.
“What are you – where are you going? It is not safe at night!” Richard hissed, swiftly catching up with her.
When Isobel did not respond, he abandoned the stern tone and advised,
“Please return to your room. Wherever it is you wish to go, surely it can wait until morning.”
Isobel kept walking, keenly aware that he was following her still. Soon, it became obvious what her intentions were, and he did not dissuade her further, choosing to silently escort her instead.
The attic was dimly lit, with a single lamp providing light. There was no fireplace, so layers of blankets had been placed over Valerie to keep her warm.
Still, she looked pale and weak, but did not rouse in the slightest upon their arrival. Valerie’s face seemed a little thin – likely because she had not eaten in a week, but there was no doubt about the fact that she was Isobel’s twin.
Isobel had not expected to feel an overwhelming amount of emotions the first time she set her eyes on her sister. Years' worth of longing and missing, she did not realize that she had bubbled to the surface, and she laughed a little, tears springing to her eyes as she gingerly sat in the chair next to Valerie’s bed.
Now that she was facing her twin sister, she recalled that she had always felt a little incomplete as a child. Her family loved her unconditionally, and she never felt out of place with them, but she could never shake off the feeling that something was missing.
Seeing Valerie now, every single complaint she had at the start of this task seemed insignificant, as she now believed she would do anything for Valerie.
Richard moved to stand behind her, and he asked softly,
“Would you like me to wait outside? Until you are done?”
Isobel shook her head. “Please… don’t leave. I don’t – I’m not strong enough to do this on my own.”
Richard said nothing else, but he lingered behind her.
Isobel inhaled deeply and reached for her sister’s hand.
“I’ve wanted to meet you for a while now. I’m… I’m sorry, Valerie, that it wasn’t under better circumstances. I have heard only wonderful things about you, and while it all makes me so proud to know that you have lived a great life thus far… I cannot wait to get to know you properly.”
A tear rolled down her cheek, and she squeezed her sister’s hand gently between hers, whispering,
“Recover quickly, sister. Your wedding is in two days, and I am sure that you want nothing more than to walk down the aisle with your beloved. You have my word – we will get down to the bottom of this and find who has hurt you. They must pay dearly for what they have done to you.”
Isobel’s heart felt lighter – even though she had not said many of the things on her mind. With Richard here, she could not admit the confusing feelings that swarmed her each time they came together, but she still gained some reassurance and comfort from being able to converse with her twin. Even though it was one-sided.
With a sniff, she lifted her hands to her cheeks and brushed her tears away, taking in a steadying breath before she turned to Richard.
“I really do hope we can find whoever is responsible in time.”
Richard nodded, taking a seat in a chair close to the one she was seated in.
“As do I, and I believe we will. We are doing our best, and although we do not have the best leads as of this moment, I am certain it is only a matter of time before we apprehend them. I can only hope we can do so before the wedding.” He replied with a tired sigh.
“We do have a lead. We had seen my aunt Deborah a few nights ago, remember? She looked quite suspicious then, and I did not tell you this at the time, but I had run into her earlier that evening. She looked even more untrustworthy than she had been, and her excuses had been weak. I do not know what her motive would be, though. She is suspicious enough to warrant suspicion, but I cannot fathom what her reason for hurting Valerie might be. She seems fond of Valerie and celebrates her engagement. But she is hiding something, I am sure of it.” Isobel informed him.
There was a strange tone in Deborah’s voice the last time they had spoken. The way she had regarded Isobel told her that perhaps her ruse had been discovered already.
“What do you propose we do, then? Would you like to question her?”
Isobel sat up straighter, facing him fully with wide eyes.
