The two of them stared at one another for a moment, both clearly confused, until he bounded off toward Isla’s bed chamber.
The door was open and there were three trunks strewn about the room alongside several personal items of Isla’s. He frowned at the sight in confusion, but couldn’t find anyone in the room.
Ronan checked three more rooms before giving up, asking the footmen to have Isla come to him should they eventually find her.
In the meantime, he went off to his study to manage a few papers and letters while he waited. There was much that had happened today, and he didn’t want to forget anything. Ronan removed his coat, sitting down to write three letters before there was a knock at his door.
Relief washed over him when Isla stepped in.
Standing, Ronan rounded the desk to see that she looked better than last night. He hoped. There were circles under her eyes but she was presentable and calm.
“Isla. There you are,” he said warmly. “How are you?”
“I’m… all right. And you?”
He tilted his head, feeling like something was off by her tone. He willed her to smile for him, to feel well. “Better now that I am seeing you. I was worried. Was the port too much?”
“I was… the port was fine. I’m better now.”
“Very good, I’m glad to hear that. It’s nearly time for supper. Will you join me in the dining room?” He asked her. “I heard we’ll enjoy a fine spot of lamb.”
Isla turned away with a shaky breath. “I’m afraid not. I need to go.”
“Go? Where?”
“Away.”
A chuckle escaped before Ronan. “That’s rather vague, Isla. Where do you wish to go? Scotland? France? We could go see your sisters tomorrow, if you like. I just cleared my schedule, and I thought––”
“I’m going alone and I’m not coming back.” Isla spoke loudly as she finally met his gaze.
He left his mouth hanging open.
Words slipped into his mind and kept slipping away. They wouldn’t stick. He couldn’t make them. They didn’t make any sense. Why would they mean anything? That wasn’t possible. She wasn’t going to leave him. Was she?
“I… don’t think I understand,” Ronan forced himself to say.
“You said I would always have a choice, didn’t you?” Isla barreled on in an unfamiliar harsh tone that left him confused and hurt. When you offered to marry me, you said I could do as I like.”
“Well, yes,” he said.
But I never thought I would hear her say… this.
“Then this is over.” Isla lifted her chin. “We can sort out an official divorce later, if you would prefer. But I’m ending this… this farce of a marriage. Neither of us wanted it, after all. It’s time we were honest with ourselves. Since you won’t do it, I will.”
Blustering, Ronan struggled to make sense of her words. “What the devil are you saying? I never said I wanted to end this.”
“You never cared for it. You didn’t even know me when I attempted to seal this union. I used your name and I’m freeing you of it all. I would think you would be happy,” Isla pushed.
Heat flooded his face as he stared at her. The bewilderment gave to angry confusion. “I’m not happy!”
“Neither am I, so I will leave.”
“Hold up, that’s not what I meant, and you know it,” he said as he pointed a finger at her. “What do you think you’re doing? I don’t know where this madness even came from.”
“You never did understand me.”
“I am trying!”
