forty
After all the chaos and questions had ceased and the guests had retired to their rooms, Anthony withdrew to his study. Sophia’s threat risked ruining his family name. Gossip might go away after a while, but the Beauforts’ reputation would be soiled.
Not just his family’s reputation was at stake, but also Maiden Hill would be lost with his parents’ souls.
Isabella paced behind him. “There must be something we can do to change Sophia’s mind.”
“A von Gruner? In a few decades maybe, but the von Gruners are bloody vindictive.”
“We must talk to her again.”
He didn’t turn around when the door opened. He kept staring at the lanterns in the garden. Even without looking, he knew Grandmama had entered. The sharp sound of her heels gave her away.
“May I talk to Anthony alone?” she asked.
He shared a glance with his wife, having a hunch about what Grandmama wanted to talk about.
“Of course.” Isabella left.
There was a click when she shut the door, and he was alone with his formidable grandmother.
Her soft hand touched his shoulder. “You let me believe you were the father. You took the blame.”
“If I had told you I had no idea Isabella was with child when I married her and that I suspected Patrick was the father, you would have demanded I throw her out.”
“I’m ashamed to say you’re correct.” She sat on the armchair in a swish of silk, looking defeated for the first time. “I wasn’t fond of Isabella at first, but after the tragedy, I couldn’t help but love her. She’s a strong, compassionate woman, and she loves you. She makes you happy. You’ve changed so much since she’s been in your life. Yes, if you had told me the truth, I would have wanted her out of the house. You were brave and honourable, and I apologise for having shouted at you.”
“There’s nothing to forgive, Grandmama. I only wanted to protect Isabella.”
“From me.” She hung her head in a dispirited pose that worried him.
He held her hand. “You’ve changed as well.”
She regained some of her usual confidence. “I wished Patrick had changed, too.”
“Patrick.” He shook his head. “Once again, he caused irreparable damage.”
“Do not fear. I will give him a scold he’ll remember forever. I don’t think I can forgive him.”
“Please, Grandmama. I only want to move on. We’ll be stricter to Patrick, but no more arguments. I can’t bear them.”
She smoothed a fold on her skirt. “If anything, Patrick is distraught. Sophia broke the engagement, and the guests are already gossiping about the incident. This is a rather upsetting string of disasters, even for someone like him.”
“We must find a way to convince Sophia to stay quiet. And even if she does, I don’t think we’ll ever get Maiden Hill back.”
She rose to look out of the window next to him. “Isabella told me the secret garden is lovely. You two worked hard on it.” She tilted her head in the direction of the secret garden although it wasn’t visible from there.
“Grandfather would be proud.”
She flashed her smirk, hooking her arm through his. “Well, the easiest solution to our predicament is that she marries Patrick, as it was planned. And we might have the perfect way to make sure she says yes.”
* * *
Two days had passedsince Lady Sophia had stormed out of the ball, and Sirocco House had been in a flurry of activities for Isabella. Or rather, the activities had been focused on the secret garden, and Patrick had nearly done the whole work under her directions. He’d moved heavy pots, dug, and trimmed plants relentlessly, obeying every order he’d received without complaining.
She was standing in the middle of the garden, surveying the work they had all done. Anthony, the Dowager, and Patrick paced around.
Anthony checked the orchids draping a marble bench, the Dowager studied the statues with a disapproving look, and Patrick seemed to have aged ten years.
