AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Some of her merriment subsided, because not all her workhere was done. She still needed to face one more ghost of her past. Last night, she had freed her father’s memory, allowing him to live within her as a bittersweet reminder, but now it was time she faced the baron. Letting go of Udell might be even more difficult, because not only had he been an important part of her life, but she had held his memory alive far longer than she should have. Of course, it bothered her that her spinster aunt had been a part of their separation, but although she wanted to know the truth behind her interference, there was something that yearned to hold her back. Perhaps it was the idea that she could have had everything she’d wanted with the baron, if only they hadn’t been kept apart. If that were the case, she wasn’t sure how she might feel about Remington.
Isadora was confident that she loved him. The accident had proven that much, but was it enough to combat the last remnants of the past that her heart was clinging to?
She supposed there was but one way to find out.
With her steps heavy, Isadora chose to don a pale peach walking dress for this next step. As she headed down the stairs, she considered breaking her fast, but decided that she couldn’t handle anything in her stomach at the moment.
Nevertheless, she walked into the dining room, expecting to see her husband, but he wasn’t there. Curious, she found Mrs. Cullins and inquired after him.
“The marquess borrowed one of the horses and took an early morning ride over the grounds.” She reached into her pocket and handed Isadora a note. “He asked me to give you this.”
Isadora opened it and read as the housekeeper resumed her duties.
My darling Isadora,
Forgive me for not waking you properly this morning, but you looked entirely too beautiful to disturb. I must also ask you to pardonmy restlessness. In order to leave you to your slumber, I required some sort of distraction. A brisk ride generally helps, but I daresay I shall still be thinking of you the entire time.
Don’t concern yourself with entertaining me if you have other things to do. I’m quite content to be by your side when you return. Should you wish to wait for me, I will return briefly, although I fear we may not make it past the front door before I am whisking you back up the stairs to your chamber.
Your adoring husband,
Rem
Isadora heldthe paper close to her heart, and then she tucked it into her reticule. Should she find her thoughts in dire straits later this morning, it would help to withdraw his letter and read it. She knew it was a reminder that he would be with her, and it gave her the courage to head out the door.
The sun was shining brightly with nary a cloud in the sky. It should have given Isadora hope that the day wouldn’t be as dire as she might predict, but there was still a lingering doubt inside.
Nevertheless, she started out walking toward Abaline Hall. She wasn’t sure if she might actually dare to go inside, although she was assured that the servants would welcome her graciously, and so would Udell’s eldest son, sired with his first wife, now the heir to the estate.
The only issue would be if his widow, Sabine, was in residence, but Isadora was reasonably confident that the lady remained in London. She appeared to enjoy the social whirl a bit too much to content herself for long by rusticating in the country.
As Isadora crossed the boundary surrounding the baron’s lands, she paused at the top of the hill and waited for the arrowto pierce her heart at the sight of that familiar, three-story, limestone structure. Even from this distance, she knew which room the baron had slept in, and could recall, quite vividly, the night she’d given her innocence over to him before he’d been fully aware of what was happening.
She sighed, because it had taken this long to realizeshehad been in the wrong that night, and not Udell. She’d thought he had spurned her love, but the single thing he’d done was beg her to leave and forget him after she’d ruined herself by making a hasty decision that would, irrevocably, change her entire life.
The family plot that belonged to the Abaline family was situated on the left side of the manor house, beyond the gardens and near a quaint, white gazebo. A small, iron fence surrounded the stones that proclaimed the generations of barons who had held the title, and their families. She knew that Udell had asked to be laid to rest near his deceased wife, and Isadora was glad to see that his wishes had been granted. She wasn’t sure Sabine would have honored his request, but his grown children likely had something to do with that.
She opened the gate surrounding the plot and laid down the wildflowers she had gathered along the way. She stood there for a time, unsure if she should say something, or perhaps it would be best if she silently walked away.
As she was considering what to do, a masculine voice spoke up behind her, “Madam, this is private property.”
Isadora slowly turned to face Udell, or rather, what he had looked like in his youth if the portraits hanging in the Grand Hall were any evidence. Although it had been several years since she had laid eyes on Matthew, Udell’s eldest son, it wasn’t difficult to ascertain that this golden haired, dark-eyed gentleman was the new Baron Abaline. However, since it was apparent her presence wasn’t wanted, and she wasn’t sure if he would even remember her, Isadora decided it would be best to just walk away.
She clasped her hands before her and said evenly, “Forgive theintrusion, my lord. I was just paying my respects to a dearly departed friend.” She paused and gestured in the direction of Broxbourne House. “We used to be neighbors.”
Isadora gathered her skirts and started to leave, but she had taken just a handful of steps before he said, “Lady Isadora? Is that you?”
He took a tentative step toward her as she hesitated. “Yes.”
Immediately, his face turned ashen as he put a hand to his chest. “Forgive me for my crude behavior. I have had… trouble with my father’s widow in recent months. I was afraid she had returned, regardless of my last warning.”
Isadora was rather curious about this revelation, although she merely nodded. “I am well acquainted with Sabine. She was rather… popular in the village before she married your father. The last time I saw her was in London, and she appeared happily occupied.”
He seemed relieved at this, and then his face turned hard. “Then you will know she is never satisfied. Even though my father left her a generous stipend after his death, she continues to write and beg me for funds to support her lavish lifestyle, but I have revoked any further support. I have my own family that needs me to see to their wellbeing.” He shook his head. “I shall never understand why my father chose to marry such a parasite.”
Isadora glanced away. She could feel his gaze upon her, but she kept her face averted. “For that reason, I cannot say. Although, there was a time that I… fancied myself in love with Udell. As you know, he was a good friend to my father and a frequent visitor to Broxbourne House. I believed that he felt the same, but he spurned my affections. We returned to Canterbury and I haven’t been back here since.” She smiled tightly. “Until now, that is.”
She dared to look at him, and she saw a furrow on his brow. “I wish it had been you. Perhaps my father wouldn’t have sufferedin his final days.” His expression turned melancholy. “He always spoke very highly of you.”
