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Chapter 6
As you can see, Mother, my life might have changed drastically overnight. But I was building toward that overnight change my entire life. A series of unfortunate events led to this one moment. The moment that turned my life upside down.
Now, I have to marry a man I loathe, whose daughter detests me, and whose dog is adamant about killing me.
Today, my dear mother, is the worst day of my life. My wedding day.
Isabel wrung her hands as she surveyed her appearance in the looking glass. Part of her trousseau had arrived just the night before, including her wedding gown. Therefore, Isabel had not been able to try anything on until this morning. She was glad that the wedding gown had arrived at all since part of her trousseau was still to be finished.
As it was, Isabel wondered how Madame Deville had managed to finish half the wardrobe, including a wedding gown in such a short time.
Her gown was impeccable. Not that she’d thought it wouldn’t be. Evie was in charge of it, after all. And anything Evie attempted came out perfect.
The deep emerald gown had a feathery bodice and bottom of the skirt. A thin satin bow adorned her waist.
Emerald suited Isabel wonderfully, and it contrasted perfectly with her pale skin. Isabel applied some rouge to her cheeks, too aware of her pale complexion. She would not usually use the rouge, but she wanted to appear as if she was glowing today.
With a soft knock, Evie entered the room. Isabel let out a sigh of relief upon seeing her friend. She needed a reassuring female presence in the absence of either her mother or sister.
Isabel was too nervous, and as much as her brothers loved her, she doubted they would understand the state of her nerves the same way a woman could.
“You look beautiful,” Evie breathed as her gaze swept over Isabel’s form. She looked as if she was about to tear up.
“Oh, Lord! Evie, you are not about to cry, are you?”
Evie’s face scrunched up a little, and she fanned herself. “No,” she said, her voice breaking.
Isabel chuckled and went to hug her friend. She’d never seen Evie so emotional.
Evie disengaged from Isabel with a small laugh as she wiped at her face. “I am supposed to be the one to comfort you, not the other way around!” She drew a shaky breath and fanned her face with her hands. “I am well, I promise.”
Isabel bit her lip. “I never imagined this would be the way I got married.”
“Comforting an overwrought duchess?”
“That too.” Isabel smiled. “But mainly, without my sister by my side, without my parents, Alan away on the Continent… And marrying a man I do not know, a man I do not even like!”
“I am sorry Sam couldn’t be here for you. I know she wishes she could, but with a young babe—”
“I know. And you will never know how grateful I am to have you here now.”
Evie waved a dismissive hand. “Do not even mention it. You and Sam are like family to me. And I would do anything for my family.”
Isabel smiled warmly, her affection for the young duchess seeping out of her.
“But how fun it would be for all three of us to be here now,” Isabel said with a sigh.
“I am certain she will find an excuse to visit you as soon as she and the babe are strong enough to travel.” There was a pause as they were both lost in their own thoughts. “Is your mind a bit more at ease now regarding this marriage?”
The quiet question and the way Evie asked it somehow almost made tears appear on Isabel’s face. She wasn’t certain how to answer.
Isabel had not seen her fiancé since the day of their betrothal, and the knot in her stomach grew bigger and bigger each day. “I am not certain,” Isabel answered truthfully.
“Listen, Isabel…” Evie took Isabel’s hands in hers and squeezed. “I do not believe those rumors about Vane for a moment. He is kind and thoughtful, and I adore the man. But I am not the one who has to marry him. So if you are having doubts, if you are afraid for your safety, or you are just not certain about him, you can just walk away. You do not need to marry him!”
Isabel grimaced. She would be ruined.
More importantly, her brothers would be ruined. Walking away from this marriage once was enough to fuel the gossip. If she were to do it right before her wedding, the scandal would be impossible to overcome. And with the gossip surrounding the marquess, her last-minute defection would certainly fan the flames even further, destroying the marquess, too.
