That was the last time he ever spoke to Cordelia. He tried to write her letters over the coming weeks, and made arrangements to call on her again once his strength returned and his scars had healed a bit more. But on the morning he was supposed to go to her family’s home, the scandal sheets of theLondon Timescaught his eye. Cordelia’s name was in large, bold script. And it preceded the name of a wealthy marquess. It was the announcement of their wedding, and of their plans to live abroad immediately following their wedding. He saw that the paper was dated three days prior. Cordelia was gone. And so was his will to go on.
Chapter One
Spring, 1819
Martha Elwood sat in the drawing room of Elwood Manor with her mother and her cousin, Isabel, listening as her cousin gushed like a young girl at Christmastide. Martha had barely gotten a word in edgewise since her cousin joined her and her mother for tea. But she didn’t mind. She adored Isabel as she would a dear sister, had she ever been blessed with one. It was the subject about which Isabel was so excited that gave Martha mixed feelings.
“I can hardly believe that I’m to be married in less than one week,” she said, sighing dreamily. “I didn’t even know how badly I wanted to be married, until I met Patrick.”
The viscountess nodded, smiling warmly at her niece.
“I’ve never seen you as happy as you have been these past few weeks,” she said. “Your uncle and I couldn’t be happier for you.”
Martha nodded eagerly, willing away the longing she felt as she smiled at her dear cousin.
“As am I, darling,” she said. “And you look so beautiful in your wedding dress.”
Isabel giggled, her cheeks turning pink.
“It is everything I ever dreamed it would be,” she said. “Do you think Patrick will like it?”
Lady Elwood laughed and reached over to pat her niece on her arm.
“Darling, you could wear a tapestry, and Patrick would think you were the most beautiful lady in all of England,” she said. “We have all seen the way he looks at you. It is a wonder that your uncle is ever able to discuss business with him, because he never takes his eyes off you.”
Isabel’s blush deepened, and her eyes sparkled with pure bliss.
“I’ve never seen such devotion in my entire life,” she said. “I don’t even remember Father looking at Mother the way that Patrick looks at me.”
Martha laughed.
“I don’t think it’s possible for any man to look at a woman the way he looks at you, Cousin,” she said. “If ever a woman were to personify the moon, it would be you.”
Isabel laughed along with her cousin. The viscountess gave her niece a fond look.
“I know that your parents loved each other very much,” she said. “And yes, your father looked at your mother in much the same way that Patrick does you. That kind of love is rare, and I know that your parents would be delighted that you found that love, as they did.”
There was a heavy silence in the room before Isabel spoke again.
“My only regret is that Mother and Father cannot witness this day with me,” she said, her dark green eyes growing sad.
Martha gave her cousin a sad smile. She knew that Isabel had been close with her parents, before a terrible storm during a voyage out at sea claimed their lives ten years prior. Isabel had become like a daughter to Sarah and Luke Elwood, and like a sister to Martha, from the very second she moved in with them after her parents died. But Martha also understood that, even though Isabel loved the rest of her family, nothing could take the place of her parent’s attendance at her wedding day.
The viscountess put her arm around her niece’s shoulder and gave her a smile that matched Martha’s.
“They are with you, my dear,” she said, glancing reverently toward the ceiling. “Your parents watch over you every single day. They see your happiness, and they will see you marry the man you truly love. I believe that in my heart of hearts.”
Isabel looked up at the ceiling, too, as though she thought she might see her parents there. Even though she didn’t, she still smiled, looking at her aunt with a widening smile.
“I hope you’re right, Aunt Sarah,” she said. “It’s wonderful to think that they will get to be with me.”
Martha nodded in agreement with her mother, glad to see her cousin’s sadness passing. She didn’t know how much she believed in what her mother said. She attended church, and she enjoyed reading the bible. She had just never given much thought to the ideas of the afterlife, and of what became of loved ones after they passed. But she thought it was a plausible notion, and one that clearly brought her cousin comfort. There could be no harm in something so sweet and helpful, surely.
“They will smile down on your union to Patrick, darling,” the viscountess added. “Your own smiles and joy will ensure it.”
Isabel nodded, her earlier enthusiasm rapidly returning. She launched into her thoughts on the menu for the wedding celebration that was to be hosted after the wedding. Martha let herself tune out again, keeping her hands busy with her tea and treats.
Truthfully, however, she was trying to hide the pangs of envy she felt. Not because she didn’t feel that Isabel deserved such excitement. Nay: no one deserved it more than Isabel did, in Martha’s eyes. Rather, it was because Martha felt that she herself would never find such a beautiful connection with a man. She refused to cave to her self-pity, however. Her cousin deserved every bit of her attention and energy to be devoted to the celebration of her happiness. And Martha was happy to set aside her own thoughts to give Isabel the love and support she deserved.
