AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What happened, Miss Beaujeu?” said Mari with wrinkled eyes.
“I’m not sure, Mari, but a-all is well. You found me.” She attempted a smile but her lips still trembled, so she pressed them tight instead.
The duke raised her hand with a deep frown. Her skin was grazed, nails torn and bleeding. “Let’s all return to the house.”
“No,” stated Isabelle. “There is no need. I am fine. Please. Do not allow my mishap to curtail the day. I wandered in and the wind slammed the door, ’tis all.”
“Perhaps, you and I,” said Lady Gwen, catching Isabelle’s arm through her own, “could head back to the blankets. For a fortifying glass of ratafia?”
“Y-yes,” she replied with a grateful smile. “That would be perfect.”
“Are you sure, Miss Beaujeu?” The duke released her hand. “I can carry you to the house if you still feel light-headed. You look most…pale.”
Isabelle wanted nothing more than to say…
Yes.
Take me from here. Carry me.
Allow me to rest against someone stronger, just for a short while.
Yet…
She refused to succumb, refused to let the guests witness her weakness.
So, Isabelle straightened her shoulders, raised her head and slowed her breath.
“M-my thanks, Your Grace, Mr Cadwalader, for coming to my aid, but I will be fine.” She swallowed the last remaining lump of fear. “Mari? Perhaps you can come with us and tell me what fauna you found?” And arm in arm with Lady Gwen, they twisted away to head for the blankets.
Rhys watchedMiss Beaujeu carefully make her way back, spine erect and eyes turned to the wide-open sea.
That storeroom was indeed a dank hole of a place but her fright had been more than that, and he surmised that his habitually dauntless governess had a profound fear of the dark, perchance combined with the cramped nature of that room.
Yet she’d refused their aid. And, in admiration, he had watched as she’d gathered all her strength and pride about her like a mantle of velvet.
Rhys knew what it was to pretend to be strong.
When his brother had died, he had pretended away the sadness and anger for the sake of Mari. Curbed the sheer despair he’d felt at the thought of continuing on alone for the sake of the dukedom and those who relied upon him.
At that time, he’d wondered if perhaps he should have settled earlier in life, to have at least ensured the lineage was secure.
But…
He’d waited.
At this moment, so content that he had.
