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“Please, I insist.”
The woman nodded graciously. “In that case, my name is Lilian, and that’s my son, Jimmie.”
Jimmie beamed at her, and Isabel let out a breath of relief. Somehow knowing someone’s name felt like it created a bond between them. And Isabel needed kinship more than anything at the moment.
“You said you have more children,” Isabel noted. “How many do you have?”
Lilian rubbed her rounded belly. “This one will be the sixth.”
Isabel stared at the woman in awe. Six? Lilian was a tiny little thing, and she did not look like a mother of five, with the sixth of its way. “Oh my! You must have a boisterous family!”
“Boisterous is the right word,” Lilian said with a chuckle. “They barely let me attend to my duties. I have to chase after them all day.”
“You don’thaveto chase after me, Mama!” Jimmie said.
“Not when you’re in my arms, I don’t,” Lilian grumbled.
Isabel chuckled. “I grew up in a large family, too. It is a blessing.” The memories of running around the estate while they were young made tears prickle at the back of her eyes. Oh, how she missed her dear siblings.
They made their way out of the woods, and Isabel saw her horse, quietly grazing nearby. She was loath to leave, but she had spent long enough feeling sorry for herself. Now was the time to get back to her life.
Lilian noticed that Isabel had slowed her pace. “You are not coming with us? I could make you a cup of tea while you dry up.”
“Thank you for your gracious offer, and I would love to, but I have responsibilities of my own that I’ve been avoiding.”
Lilian smiled. “Then perhaps you can come to the village tomorrow?”
Warmth spread inside Isabel’s chest. “I would love that very much.”
“Mama! We are away from the stream. Can I walk now?” Jimmie asked as he bounced in Lilian’s arms.
“Oh, very well.” Lilian lowered her child, and he dashed toward the village. She heaved a sigh and turned toward Isabel. “It was good to meet you, M’lady—Isabel. I shall wait for you on the morrow.” Lilian bobbed a curtsy and followed her disappearing child.
Isabel turned and slowly walked to her mount, her mood suddenly lifting. This hadn’t been an ideal day, but at least she had made one friend.
* * *
Rhys was almost falling off his feet by the time they made it home after a morning spent in the field. Rhys had been afraid it would rain the entire week after their gloomy journey. But the day had proved to be beautiful: sunny with a light breeze. It accommodated Rhys nicely for a good day’s work. And Millie had fun running around and playing with Button.
As they entered the hall, Rhys ordered a bath to be prepared for Millie and asked the servants to clean Button as well. It had been his ritual every time he had come from the field. Clean his daughter and the dog first, and he would take care of himself later. Otherwise, the two would spread the dirt around the house, which led to more clean-up than necessary.
Once he took care of all the arrangements for Millie and Button, he walked unhurriedly up the stairs.
Rhys was not exactly an old man. In fact, he would say he was in his prime years. And yet his back hurt, and his knees creaked with every move. A long journey on horseback from London and then immediately working in the field definitely took a toll on his body. He stretched as he slowly made his way up the stairs.
As he reached the landing, the door opened in the hall, accompanied by loud cursing.
Ah, his lovely wife had arrived home. Rhys did not enter the corridor leading to his room. Instead, he leaned his shoulder against the wall and waited for his marchioness to make her way up. He was curious to find out where she had spent the day and what had prompted the unladylike expletives as she entered home.
A loud splatter accompanied the steps, and then Lady Isabel finally appeared on the landing.
She was soaked from head to toe!
Her skirts were not only wet but dirt-smudged. Her bodice was plastered to her chest. Her bonnet was missing, and her hair was just as wet as the rest of her.
Rhys’s eyes widened, and he sputtered a laugh before he could control himself. Lady Isabel raised her head, only just noticing his presence. Her face took on a gloomy expression—or at least gloomier than it was before.
“Was it raining?” Rhys asked and peeked out at the window. It was as bright as it had been all day.
