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Some things turned out well, though, Isabel thought as she watched her husband sing a lullaby to his daughter. She imagined her little sister Sam doing the same thing to her child. Oh, how she wished to be with her at this time. To be embraced into a loving family’s bosom once more seemed like something out of a fairy tale.
A tear slid from her cheek and onto her palm, and it was only then Isabel realized that she was crying. She wiped the tear away and cleared her throat softly.
Vane—who had not noticed her presence before now—raised his head and looked at her. His expression immediately changed into a frown, and his singing ceased.
Isabel tipped her head in greeting and slid out of the room. She peeked inside a moment later, just in time to see Vane lean over his daughter and kiss her on the forehead. “Sleep well, my child,” he whispered and tucked the covers tightly over her.
Vane straightened and watched his daughter sleep with a soft, beautiful smile that took ten years off his life. Isabel cocked her head. Smiling like that, calm and unburdened, he reminded her of someone. Someone Isabel once knew. But she could not remember whom.
Isabel took a few steps away from the room, not wanting to get caught spying on the pair again as she contemplated the thought. Well, she’d known quite a few people, and it was not surprising she had found Vane’s features familiar.
Vane doused the candlelight in Millie’s room, and the corridor was shrouded in darkness. Isabel shivered as she waited for the marquess to appear in the corridor.
Assertive steps alerted Isabel to Vane’s approach, and she stepped closer to meet him. A mistake. Vane turned into the corridor at that exact moment and collided with her.
Isabel squeaked, but Vane caught her quickly and covered her mouth with his hand. “Shush. You’ll wake Millie.”
Isabel nodded, her eyes wide, the heat of Vane’s palm searing through her skin and branding her. Vane removed his hand. “Are you just always going to be behind every corner now?” he whispered with a frown.
Isabel quickly composed herself and smiled. “For the rest of your life. In sickness and in health—”
Vane directed his eyes heavenward before walking past her. “What are you doing here?”
“I was waiting for you. I thought it was obvious.”
“Very well. Why have you been waiting for me?” He was moving down the stairs now, his steps sure, making Isabel hurry after him. She picked up her skirts as she tried not to trip while she kept up with his long stride.
“Can you stop for a moment so I can actually catch up with you long enough to answer your question?”
Vane did not stop, did not even pause. He just slowed his steps.What a cad!She’d thought they were past his surly attitude toward her. Apparently not.
Isabel finally reached him as he turned into the corridor, heading toward his bedchamber. “I wanted to speak with you about Millicent,” she said.
“What about her?” He still hadn’t turned.
“I think it is imperative that she start her schooling.”
“Yes. I thought we agreed that you’d find her a governess.”
“I sent the notice to the papers and already received some answers, but it will take me days to sift through the letters and go through the interviews.”
Vane nodded. “Send me your top picks. I shall make the final choice.”
“That’s all well and good. However, I think Millicent should start her schooling now.”
Vane halted and turned to Isabel sharply. “And how will she receive her schooling?”
Isabel swallowed. “From me.”
“You want me to leave her? With you.”
He spoke as if this was something unfathomable. “Yes. She can’t keep running around in the fields with you. Besides, we do not want to frighten the governess with a wild little girl, do we? Millie needs to know basic manners, she needs to learn to watercolor, and perhaps how to approach a pianoforte.”
“She is quite intelligent,” Vane clipped.
Isabel swallowed. She’d offended him. It was not her intention at all. “I do not doubt it. But I doubt her skills. Not because she is not capable, but because she had no opportunity to learn.”
“You think I am an incompetent parent?” he barked.
