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Caroline carried Alice with some difficulty and followed her to the bed. "We must ensure that she does not have time to spread rumors about the engagement and wedding.I also need you to tell fatherhow dreadful our lives would be if we were to marry strangers. Make it a point to remind him that he married for love. You can enlist the help of trusted servants to keep Mother busy as well. Solong as they will not tell her.”
“Aye aye, captain,” Ann said. “We shall do your bidding!” she nodded and the rest followed.
“Thank you,” Caroline said, smiling softly at them.
"All right, we need to returnto our rooms before mother notices our little gathering," Ann said as she led the girls out of her chambers. She returned her gaze to the door and winked at Caroline.
Caroline smiled and spoke in hushed tones as they walked away. She couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment and confidence as she realized her plan would work.
CHAPTERFIVE
Alexander looked up from his books at the sound of the knock on the door to find Barnaby standing there. “A letter has arrived for you, Master Alexander,” the valet said.
Alexander reached for the letter, hoping that it would be a response from Isabella. It had been a few hours since he wrote to her and he had been restless. He was glad when he saw the familiar envelope she used. There was also the faint scent of roses that always followed her letters.
“Thank you, Barnaby. That will be all,” he said, smiling at the valet as he bowed and left. Glad to be alone, he tore into the letter, part eager to see what she wrote, and part fearful of its contents. Luckily, Alexander felt the heaviness he had been carrying for the last few hours dissipate as he read the letter.
My dearest
I am sorry you had to witness that situation. Lord Westworth is a friend of my father’s, whom he has sent to court me. It seems my father was concerned by the fact that I have shown no interest in marriage all this time and took it upon himself to find me a husband. I wish I could explain that I was not lacking interest since I already met you. I do not care for Lord Westworth, as I only have you in my heart, so you need not worry about him. I will wait for you to find a way for us to be together.
Forever yours,
Isa.
Alexander heaved a sigh of relief. Although it did not change the fact that she was being courted by another man, he was glad that Isabella had not set her sights on another. He knew she was a beautiful woman and could have any man she wanted, so he was grateful that she had chosen to give him time to figure things out as he had requested.
Alexander knew Samuel Levingston from a distance, he did not think the man was the type to force his daughter into marriage. He could imagine how difficult it was for him, however. He had raised Isabella on his own, without a mother. When his daughter failed to show interest in marriage, he would of course take it upon himself to find a suitable match for her. Choosing an old man who was his friend also seemed to be a well thought out choice.
The man Alexander had seen was ugly and old, but he was not a fool, nor did he seem like he would maltreat her. Her father no doubt wanted to make sure that his daughter did not fall into the hands of a rake, or a man who only wanted her for her money. There seemed to be many of them around nowadays. Isabella was the heir to his household after all. Her husband would inherit all her father had.
Alexander once again wished he had made his intentions for her known. It was a regret that was deeply seated in his heart. He needed to find a way out of this dilemma. His actions, or lack thereof, had caused them to be entangled in potential marriage situations that were sadly, not with each other. He folded the letter neatly and placed it in his drawer along with all the others he had received from her. He could not sit idly, not when he was about to lose his love. He picked up a fresh piece of paper and his quill and penned a letter to her.
My beloved,
I thank you for alleviating my worries and for giving me a chance to solve this predicament. You need not worry about marrying Lord Westworth, Isa. I will try my possible best to ensure our future together. I need to see you. Can we meet tonight?
I await your response,
Alex.
Alexander rang for Barnaby, whistling as he did so. “Have this letter delivered to Lady Isabella at once.” He hoped she would agree to meet with him. He had missed her, and their time together this afternoon had only made him miss her more, especially with Lord Westworth’s arrival.
Alexander went about his day, engaging in various activities to keep him from pacing about his room as he waited for her letter. He was preparing for dinner when he heard a knock. He hurried to the door and threw it open. He looked up to see Barnaby, a letter in his hands.
“Good timing, I was about to head to dinner,” he said, stretching out his hand to receive the letter. He opened it to see that it had very few words. Words that filled his heart with joy.
Meet me at midnight in my bedchamber. I will leave the window open.
Isa.
Alexander smiled to himself as he made his way to dinner, his good mood very clear for all to see. He walked in to find that his parents and younger brother, Colin, were already seated.
“Alexander, glad you could join us,” his mother, Elizabeth, said with twinkling eyes.
“Good evening, mother, father. I apologize for my tardiness.”
“Is this all? No further reprimand for keeping us waiting?” Colin asked playfully, his hazel eyes shining naughtily.
