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Chapter 9
Isabel came down to breakfast the next morning feeling rested after the grueling journey. She was starving and looking forward to a nice, long morning meal.
She entered the dining room and immediately was immersed in a serene atmosphere.
The dining room was not as extravagantly decorated as Isabel’s bedchamber, for which she was grateful. The curtains and furniture were upholstered with ocean-blue fabric with green ornamentation, making Isabel feel as though she were surrounded by blue sky and emerald waters. The sunlight streamed from the windows and illuminated the room in soft light. The rustle of paper and the smell of coffee added to the cozy feeling.
But the quiet, tranquil morning was ruined as soon as she noticed her husband, sitting at the head of the table, silently partaking in his meal. Just one glance at him reminded Isabel of all the animosity between them. The way he had treated her at the inn, the way he had abandoned her in the hall without bothering to introduce her to his staff, all of that made her blood boil all over again.
She’d had a full night to come to terms with her emotions, and she thought the anger she had felt would disappear come morning. But the memory of her humiliation did not give way.
Her husband turned the page of his paper, calmly sipping on his coffee. He was well-groomed, although his hair was still wet from a recent bath. His lips were pursed in disapproval, making Isabel wonder if he ever smiled or laughed in joy. He was so composed, damn him, and all Isabel wanted was to rip the paper out of his long fingers, tear it to pieces, and scatter it onto his head.
She smiled, the fantasy lifting her dark mood when he looked up from behind the paper.
“Good morning,” he rasped, a frown lining his forehead.
Isabel composed her features and demurely sat at the table. James, the footman she’d brought with her from her household, instantly jumped to bring her breakfast from the side table and poured her the chocolate. Isabel thanked him and delighted in the hot cup, trying to ignore the formidable presence beside her. It did not work.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked.
“Like a babe.”The one you think I am carrying, she thought irritably.
“I need to go away on business for the day,” he said in an offhand manner, and her eyes rounded.
Did he mean to leave her alone? With his surly daughter and undisciplined dog? Her expression must have translated because he hastened to add, “I shall take Button and Millie with me. They quite enjoy running around the field while I attend to matters with farmers.”
“Oh.” Isabel expelled a breath of relief. “Then I shall familiarize myself with the manor and the villagers.”
Vane grimaced and slowly put the paper down. “I think you should delay your visit to our tenants until I can accompany you.”
Now he wanted to monitor her like she was a child? “Why would I? I am the mistress of this estate. I need to see them as soon as I am able.”
“Because they might not be welcoming,” he said calmly.
Isabel scoffed. “Similar to how you and your daughter have been?”
He straightened in his chair, throwing his vast shadow over her. “Everyone needs to get used to the fact that you are here. I just don’t want any unfortunate incidents.”
Isabel took a sip of chocolate to calm herself, then turned and looked him dead in the eye. “I am not about to create a scandal if that’s what you are worried about. Regardless of what you think of me, I am accomplished at running estates and dealing with tenants. I have done that for my brother for over eight years.”
Vane steepled his fingers. “I am not inclined to believe anything you say until I see it with my own eyes.”
“Your lack of trust is tiring, my lord,” Isabel said calmly, although she felt her chest fill with rage. “I shall do as I please, and if you want to accompany me, you will have to postpone your own matters.”
“I am not about to change my plans because of your stubbornness,” he growled. “I am certain you can find plenty of things to keep you occupied inside the manor in the meantime.”
“I am afraid I cannot oblige. My mother taught me that a mistress should first contact her tenants. Then, she needs to find out the villagers’ needs, identify the elderly and the sick, and make certain they have all the necessary provisions. If I delay this duty, people will suffer. And that will be on your head.”
Vane listened to her concerns with an air of boredom. “I shall survive the burden.”
Isabel gasped. Was he truly such a heartless master? “I do not know who was helping you run the estates in the absence of a mistress, but this is not how things are done. I know my main duty, and I shall perform it whether you agree with me or not!”
“Do you have to counter everything I say? I am your husband, and you will do as I say.” His voice was stony and brooked no argument.
Isabel argued still. “I am not a slave. I shall not blindly obey you just because I was forced to marry you under the most unfortunate circumstances. Our situation is as much your fault as it is mine. You have no right to act superior, especially since I have no evidence to believe that you are.”
Vane’s fingers fisted at his side, and for a moment, Isabel was afraid he’d lunge at her. But he relaxed and let out a deep sigh. “I didn’t expect you to,” he breathed.
