“Your Grace!” Mr. Brooks was middle-aged, grossly overweight, and sweated through his clothes as he hurried forward. “It is so good of you to join us. I cannot tell you how delighted I am.”
“I would not have missed it,” Cassian said simply. “Please, allow me to introduce you to my wife.”
“Charmed…” Isolde offered a small curtsey. “And thank you in advance for this evening.” She stayed linked to Cassian’s arm, refusing to let go unless he asked her to do so.
The next few minutes were spent on introductions. Isolde did as she was told, only speaking when spoken to, and never drawing attention to herself. As she did, she glanced at Cassian constantly, wanting him to see her, to notice how hard she tried.
“A drink, yes, before we dine?” Mr. Brooks announced to the small group. “Please, follow me.”
They did as asked, and it was only then that Isolde released her husband’s arm. That allowed her to fall back with the other wives, and they treated her much as their husbands had Cassian.
“We were so pleased that both of you could make it,” Mrs. Brooks told Isolde as they walked together. “Your wedding was the talk of London. So unexpected…”
“It ought not to have been,” Isolde said simply. “Although I can see why. Cassian was rather subtle in his courtship of me, not wanting to make a big thing of it. You know how people of this town are?”
“Don’t I ever,” Mrs. Brooks laughed.
“It is strange…” Lady Bridgerton spoke up. “That neither my husband nor I had heard of you until after the announcement was made. Whitmore… it is not a name I am familiar with.”
“My family hails from Scotland,” Isolde said. “We have fallen into hard times of late, but His Grace has been nothing but generous. Even before we fell in love, he was good to my family. For that, I will owe him always.”
She spoke politely, and just loud enough so that Cassian might hear.
Ahead, she noticed Cassian tilt his head and she thought he was about to turn back and scowl at her or say something. He did not, which she took as a good sign. Her words were true enough, even if they were a bit misleading. Now that she was married to Cassian, her family would be taken care of forever and no matter what happened, she would owe him forever.
Isolde remained with the wives for that single drink.
As she did, she looked over at Cassian constantly, and she could not help but smile to herself. It was so obvious that he wasn’t enjoying himself, and how she wanted to go over and pull him away so they could laugh about it.
I miss him, that is what I am starting to realize. Before all this happened, he was fun and funny and that single week we had together…
Supper came shortly after, and as was expected, her place was beside Cassian. When they reached the table, he pulled out her chair so that she could sit…
“Thank you,” she said to him.
“I…” He caught his words, as if he was about to say something he did not wish. “Of course,” he finished and looked away.
They sat side by side, hands on their laps, acting as if all was normal. The conversation that followed was rather benign, mostly just Mr. Brooks bragging about various successes he had. Clearly, he was trying to impress Cassian.
“He certainly thinks a lot of himself,” Isolde whispered out of the corner of his mouth.
Cassian had not been paying attention, and when he registered her comment, he smirked, only to straighten his lips. “Heisvastly successful, Isolde. He ought to be proud.”
“There is a difference between being proud and bragging. He walks that line rather well.”
Again, Cassian looked as if he might smirk with amusement, but he kept his lips straight and looked ahead.
Isolde ate mostly in silence, and this time she was sure to use the appropriate cutlery. However, when she did, she caught Cassian watching her, and she grinned at him to show that she knew what was on his mind.
“I learn quickly,” she said.
“Good,” he said. “You…” He considered his words, his brow furrowing. “You are doing very well.”
“I’m doing it for you, Cassian. I hope you know that.”
He did not answer her, but she was certain he heard her words, just as he understood them.
Isolde could see the fight raging within him. He wanted to talk to her; she was certain of it. He wanted to put what had happened behind them. But he was proud, and he was stubborn, and she had hurt him so badly that he refused to give her the chance to do so again.
