Page 26 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Beast
“You are sorrowful over my brother’s lack of attention to you.” Lady Isabella slipped her hand through Abigail’s arm as they walked to the drawing room. “I will tell you the truth, however, though it may be of little comfort.”
“Oh?” Abigail chose not to deny her sadness, looking at her new friend as Lady Isabella led her to the drawing room. “What is it you wish to tell me?”
“Only that he has been in this dark mood ever since the ball where he met Lady Clara again,” came the reply, though Lady Isabella frowned at this. “He told both myself and my mother what took place and spoke warmly of your defence of himandof your quick thinking when it came to Lady Templeton’sridiculousdemands. I do not know why she is so eager for Lady Clara to be pushed back into Crestwood’s sphere.”
Abigail’s smile was tight. “Mayhap I do.”
“You do?” Lady Isabella’s eyes flared wide. “What could it be?”
Uncertain as to whether or not she ought to say, Abigail sat down on the couch with Lady Isabella beside her, though her friend’s eyes remained wide.
“I – I know that Lady Templeton was most displeased to find that I was engaged to your brother,” she said, still rather cautiously. “I believe that there is hope that there might be a return of affection there.” She pressed her lips together, wondering if Lady Isabella understood what she meant by that only for Lady Isabella to gasp aloud, her understanding more than clear.
“That is preposterous! Does she not understand how badly Lady Clara hurt my brother?”
“I am sure she does, but she believes that an apology will suffice.”
“Well, it certainly shall not! And it absolutely will not bring about a return of his affections! My brother adored Lady Clara. She promised to wait for him until he returned from war - but when he appeared, rather than being profoundly grateful that he was even alive, she broke his heart by stating that she could not marry him because he looked like a beast. Her words ignited the rumours about my brother and I cannot andwillnot forgive her for that.” Her chin lifted, her jaw tight. “And I do not think my brother will be able to do so either. The whole idea is quite ridiculous and I do hope you have not let any of Lady Templeton’s words enter your heart.”
Abigail smiled briefly and looked down at her hands. “I do not think that such a thing will happen, no,” she said, eventually. “Though I am sorry to hear of all Lady Clara did.” Recalling what Lord Crestwood had said about being unwilling to indulge in any sort of affection in their marriage, she let out a slow breath. “Though that does not mean, I hope, that he feels I might think of him in the same way.”
Lady Isabella did not immediately respond to this and Abigail’s heart squeezed.
“You think that he might?”
“I do not know.” Lady Isabella sighed and closed her eyes. “My brother has been a changed man since he returned from war. For a long time, he would not have us look at him and would not, I believe, even look at his own reflection. My mother and I were both determined not to give up on him, however, for we saw him lost in a great deal of darkness and pain. We told him that we would look upon his face and would have no fear nor desire to turn away. Eventually, he permitted us to speak with him and to look at him as we might normally do and what he stated about himself, what he said of his appearance was nothing akin to what I saw. To his eyes, he believed himself to be ravaged beyond all recognition but I saw my brother still. When Lady Clara spoke those cruel words to him, it only made him believe all the more than he did not deserve to be considered with any sort of affection or consideration simply because of his altered appearance. I believe that he may believe that you think him repulsive but have said nothing about it due to the fact that this marriage is an arrangement. You would not have come to him of your own free will, I suppose.”
“But that does not mean that I find him grotesque!” Abigail exclaimed, tears pricking her eyes now. “He has already told me that I am not to expect any affection from him, that this marriage is to be considered almost as a business dealing whereas – ”
“He said that to you?” Lady Isabella grasped her hand tightly. “Oh, my dear Abigail, I am sorry for it. My brother shoulders a good deal of pain and will not speak of it to anyone – not even to my mother. I do not believe him, however.”
Abigail blinked quickly so as to push the tears back. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that I have seen him watching you. I have also witnessed the two of you dancing and saw how he laughed and smiled. Thereafter, I watched the flickering emotions on his face as he grew quiet and serious again and, in hearing what you have said, I believe that to be a deliberate choice on his part. It must be that he does not wish to permit himself such feelings – but they are there, Abigail, I am sure of it. He has not smiled nor laughed as he did with you for many a month.”
A faint hope began to build in Abigail’s heart and, drawing in a deep breath, she pressed Lady Isabella’s hand. “Now, tell me about your Captain Harrington.”
“MyCaptain Harrington?” Lady Isabella’s tone sounded a little surprised though a flush came into her cheeks almost at once. “I do not know what you mean.”
A quiet laugh broke through Abigail’s sadness. “You speak of what you have witnessed and now I speak of whatIhave seen.” She smiled, hoping Lady Isabella did not think her too bold given their new friendship, though her friend only blushed all the more and looked away. “I thought you were in town for the Season?”
“I am – I was.” Lady Isabella looked back at Abigail quickly, then leaned forward, speaking in hushed tones. “I have always found the Captain to be an honourable, respectful and considerate man and indeed, he has been strong enough to challenge my brother on occasion! But I am afraid of what I feel. What if the Captain does not return my affection? And what is worse – what if he does?”
A slight frown pulled at Abigail’s forehead. “Why should it be worse? Surely the return of his affections is what you desire?”
“Not if my brother refuses to permit me to consider him,” came the reply. “I am afraid that my brother will insist that I marry a gentleman of high rank.” Her eyes flared. “You might speak to him about it, I think!”
“Me?” Abigail quickly shook her head. “No, I do not think I could.”
“Yes, you could!” her friend insisted, suddenly alive with hope. “Once you are married, you will have better chance to speak with him and you might… well, you might discover his thoughts on the matter, at the very least. It would guide me into what I might do next.”
Abigail hesitated. “You could simply ask your brother, Lady Isabella?”
“Just ‘Isabella’, please. Yes, I suppose I could but I am so very afraid of the answer.”
Pressing her lips together, Abigail chose to be bold. “Then I shall do my best,” she answered, making Lady Isabella squeal with delight. “I shall not let your brother’s determination to push aside all hope. Mayhap he is determined to believe that I am of the very same nature – and opinion – as Lady Clara butIam determined to prove otherwise. He might seek to withdraw from me but I am eager to seek him out. And that means that I will speak to him of whatever I can, whenever I can – including your Captain Harrington, Isabella.”
Her friend threw her arms around Abigail’s neck and though Abigail admitted silently that she felt herself a little anxious about what she had said to Lady Isabella as regarded Lord Crestwood, she felt her courage grow. There was a little flare of hope within her heart now, alittle belief that Lord Crestwoodmightbe able to open his heart to her – if only he would allow himself to do so. Trust would have to be built between them, an openness and thereafter, a vulnerability. She could do it, certainly, but would he?
