“That is a relief,” one of the women by her side sighed with a smile. “Still, I think it is in your best interest to take it easy today. Rest when you feel you need to.”
Isobel nodded gratefully, keeping a smile fixed upon her lips until she was sure the attention on her had faded before searching for her father, glaring at him once she had found him.
He could have warned her that she would have to face this many people! When he had said the wedding party had just begun, she imagined that only a handful of people would be present.
How was she meant to convince these many people that she was indeed who they believed her to be? And how was she to uncover who the culprit was with this many suspects?
Her father could have done more to prepare her for this. He could have given her some sort of hint about the people she would face, or at least told her their names. Instead, he had instructed her to do her best and let her walk right into her potential demise.
Gregory remained blissfully unaware of the wrath brewing within Isobel, and just as she considered pulling him to a corner, she felt an odd sensation settle upon her.
It was strange and disconcerting, filling her with unease. It took a few seconds that felt like long minutes as she considered leaving the dining room completely or finding a corner to hide somehow, but she eventually recognized the sensation.
She was being watched.
Startled by the realization, she looked up, and her eyes met the intense glare of a man sitting on the other end of the room.
The first thing she noticed was his handsome face.
Whoever this man was, he had the face many would wholeheartedly devote their lives to in worship. His strong jaw twitched as she met his stare, and his stunning blue eyes turned even colder as she refused to look away.
He was poised perfectly with an air of authority and power, and something about his posture reminded her of the statues at the monastery she had recently taken up residence at.
Something about him felt… dangerous, and once she noticed that, Isobel mustered enough willpower to look away, quickly busying herself with the task of putting together a plate of food. Although she was not sure she had any appetite, the task kept her busy, and she managed to convince herself to ignore him.
However, her weak resolve only lasted a mere handful of minutes – perhaps less, because her eyes were on him again, and a strange feeling rushed through her when she noticed he was still looking at her.
“Who are you?” she muttered under her breath, jumping as a hand lightly rested on her shoulder.
Isobel whirled around, startled when she came face to face with an elderly woman who bore a gentle expression.
“Are you sure you are feeling better, dear? You look quite flushed. Do you have a fever?” the woman questioned, her eyebrows drawn together in concern.
Isobel shook her head, doing her best to muster a bright smile as she replied carefully.
“I promise, I am feeling as right as rain now. I think… I was just nervous! Just… nervous, because of the wedding. I have not been sleeping well because I am worried things might not go well – however, I am very excited to be wed. I cannot wait to marry my husband-to-be.”
The woman stared at her for a moment, and just as Isobel began to wonder if she had been caught, her present company chuckled.
“I assure you that it is quite normal. The days leading up to a young woman’s wedding are a frightful whirlwind of emotions. At one moment, you are filled with hope and excitement over the plans contained in your new beginning. The next moment, you are fraught with nerves, your mind stuck in a concerning loop of all the things that could go wrong, and more. Eventually, it will all settle, and you will find out that you were worried for nothing.” She told Isobel reassuringly.
“D-Do you really believe so?” Isobel questioned, her tone hopeful.
“I believe so. We are all here to support you, Valerie. Do not try to take on every detail of this wonderful event by yourself. We have all come to wish you well, with our word and our actions. Your father has gone to great lengths to ensure that everything is absolutely perfect –”
“Deborah, will you be joining us for a game of cards later?” another woman asked, walking up to them.
The woman who had been conversing with Isobel smiled, “Certainly! I will not pass up the chance to seize your treasures for myself.”
“You need to win for that to happen, but I am afraid that is not possible for one as easily distracted as you.”
“Oh, shoo. We shall discuss this later, as I am in the middle of an important discussion,” Deborah stated, chasing her friend away before she refocused her attention on Isobel. “My apologies, dearest. Where was I? Oh, yes – as I was saying, my brother is determined to have nothing spoil your perfect day.”
Isobel nodded, the movement slowing down gradually as Deborah’s words echoed in her head, snagging her attention.
Did she just say… her ‘brother’? That would mean they were related if Isobel’s father were her brother.
“Right,” Isobel nodded. “Father is… very reliable.”
