Page 14 of Rescuing a Tantalising Heiress
She would be forever grateful to the viscount and his sister for their kindness towards her. Had it not been for them—or had they already departed earlier for London—her fate would have been very different.
“We owe you a debt of gratitude, sir, one not easily repaid,” Isabella’s father said, but again, Edward dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand.
“We were only too glad to help, weren’t we, Augusta?” he said, glancing at his sister, who smiled.
“We were, and Isabella’s arrival certainly provided some excitement. Even I was growing a little bored with gardening,” she said, laughing, as Isabella smiled.
She wanted to go home, and yet she felt at ease in the company of Edward and his sister. They had both been unfailingly kind, and it was sad to think she would not see them again, as fleeting as their encounter had been.
“I’d very much like to see the gardens properly. I wasn’t paying them a great deal of attention as I hurried through them earlier, but they look lovely from here,” Isabella said, glancing out of the library window, from which could be seen a pleasant vista of the lawns and flower beds, where the magnificence of the late spring blooms were emerging in a palette of striking colours.
“I’d be pleased to show you, but…I think you need a little more rest, don’t you?” Augusta said.
There was a firm, yet gentle tone to her voice, and Isabella nodded. Shewasstill feeling quite exhausted, and the thought of the comfortable bed upstairs was a pleasant one. She glanced at her father, who nodded.
“Yes, I think that’s a very good idea, and once again, we can only thank you for your kindness, my lord. When I think of what might’ve happened…” the duke said, his words trailing off, even as all those present knew what he was implying.
Isabella was not the first daughter of an aristocrat to find herself at the mercy of such wickedness. Only a month previously, Lady Charlotte Henderson, the daughter of the Earl of Truro, had been snatched from her carriage as she drove through a London park. Isabella had read about it in the periodicals.
The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of a thousand pounds, and the earl had paid it. The perpetrators were still at large, and there had been much fear and trepidation in the drawing rooms and salons of the capital as to who might be next.
“Well, thank goodness it didn’t. We can be glad of that, at least,” the viscount said, glancing at Isabella with a reassuring look.
Isabellawasfearful. She knew this would not be the end. Her father’s enemies would still seek revenge against him, and until their identity was revealed, and the truth was known, she would still be in danger. But for now, hidden away at Howdwell Heights, and with Edward and her father to protect her, Isabella could at least believe her ordeal to be over.
“Will we go home immediately, father?” Isabella asked.
The duke glanced at the viscount, who shook his head.
“I’d advise you to remain here a little longer. We need to make sure it’s safe for you to make the journey,” he replied.
“But we don’t want to cause you any further trouble, my lord. You’ve already been more than generous in your hospitality,” Isabella’s father said, but Edward was insistent.
“I’d like to speak to your father, Lady Isabella, if I may,” Edward said, glancing at the duke, who nodded.
“By all means. I can’t thank you enough,” he said as Isabella rose to her feet.
The duke rose, too, and embraced her, holding her close and kissing her on the forehead.
“I was so scared, Father,” Isabella whispered, fighting back the tears.
“I know you were, Isabella, but I promise you’re safe now,” he replied, kissing her again.
“But who did this? Who hates you so much as to want to kidnap me?” Isabella persisted.
Her father placed his hands on her shoulders and looked down at her with a reassuring look on his face.
“I don’t know, Isabella. I’ve got my suspicions, of course. But you don’t need to worry about that. It’s not for you to be upset by it all,” he said.
Isabella knew there was no point in arguing with her father. He was entirely traditional in his ways of thinking—a woman was to be protected and should not concern herself with matters of business or the disputes of men. But Isabellawasworried—not only for herself, but for her father, too. Someone wanted revenge against him, to hurt him, and until she knew the truth, Isabella felt certain she could not rest easy.
“Come now, Isabella. Let me take you back upstairs. You must still be exhausted,” Augusta said, and she led Isabella from the library, leaving Edward and the duke to talk alone.
“I feel so powerless. Those men just snatched me away. They did what they wanted, and they could do so again,” Isabella said as she and Augusta made their way upstairs.
“I know they did. It’s terrifying, and it could happen to anyone, couldn’t it?” Augusta replied, looking fearfully at Isabella as the two women entered Isabella’s bedroom.
One of the maids had turned down the bed, and the curtains were half open, allowing the sunlight to filter into the room. The thought of sleep was very inviting, but Isabella was curious to know more about Edward, and as Augusta helped her into bed, she asked the foremost question on her mind.
