Page 51 of Rescuing a Tantalising Heiress
She looked up at Isabella and smiled.
“Oh, I was just about to come and find you. Edward has visitors—something to do with the hospital,” she said, laying down her quill and rising from her chair.
Isabella caught her breath, fearing she had said the wrong thing, even as she could not understand what it was about Victor she found so unpalatable.
“I just met them—the Baron of Longley and Victor Radcliffe,” she said.
At the mention of Victor, Augusta narrowed her eyes.
“Yes…Victor,” she said, shaking her head.
“I didn’t like him very much,” Isabella admitted.
“I don’t know why Edward puts up with him. They’re business associates, I suppose. But you’re right. There’s something unpleasant about him. I’ve always thought so. Were you introduced as our cousin again? I had an awful time with Hugh—he wanted to know all about the family.
I had to invent a great aunt in Bournemouth—she’s your grandmother, a dowager countess, and then there were two sisters, too. Oh, dear…a lie always catches one out, doesn’t it?” Augusta said as Isabella smiled.
“I told him I was from Cornwall,” she said, and Augusta laughed.
“Well…Bournemouth isn’tthatfar from Cornwall, is it? It won’t be for long. We don’t have to keep up the pretence forever,” she said.
Caesar barked, running to the window and putting his paws up on the pane. It was obvious he wanted to go outside, and knowing there would be no peace until they did so, Isabella and Augusta stepped out of the drawing room onto the terrace. They had not yet had a chance to talk more about Hugh, and Isabella was keen to hear Augusta’s impression of his intentions.
“You were out with him for most of the day,” she said, having asked Augusta directly what she thought of their neighbour.
Augusta blushed.
“Yes…I enjoy his company. He wants to show me another part of the moorland tomorrow. I find him so very easy to be with,” she said, and Isabella smiled.
She was pleased for Augusta. Her friend deserved some happiness, even as Isabella knew the viscount’s opinion on the matter. Edward was overprotective, and he had made it clear he was fearful of Augusta’s heart being broken.
“And youshouldmeet him again,” Isabella replied.
“I don’t know…Is it wise, do you think? I like him, but…is it too soon?” Augusta asked.
“Too soon for what? To fall in love? Isn’t life short, Augusta? Shouldn’t we seize happiness when it presents itself to us? You’ll regret it if you don’t,” she said, and Augusta smiled.
“I know…and I don’t want to regret it. I want to be happy again. He’s a charming man—ever so kind and attentive. He’d picked a posy of heather for me, in pink, purple, and white. I’ve put it in a vase on my dressing table, and whenever I look at it, I smile,” she said.
“Then you’ve made your mind up. You’ve chosen to be happy,” Isabella replied.
They talked like this for the remainder of their walk, taking the route through the shrubbery where Isabella and Edward had shared their kiss. Isabella did not mention her growing closeness to Edward—not that she believed Augusta would disapprove, but because she felt the matter to be a private one between her and the viscount. Love was something new to her, and she wanted to grow used to the idea of being in love, before sharing her happy news.
“I just hope Edward doesn’t try to stop it,” Augusta said as they returned to the house.
But Isabella shook her head and placed her hand reassuringly on Augusta’s arm.
“Oh, you mustn’t worry about that. I’ll make sure he doesn’t,” she said, feeling certain she could persuade Edward of Hugh’s merits, just as she had persuaded him of hers, too.
Chapter 21
In the coming days, Isabella was pleased to know Augusta was spending time with Hugh. She would breakfast in her bedroom before going out to walk with him on the moor, returning in the late afternoon, full of apologies for neglecting Isabella.
“Oh, but I shouldn’t leave you like this,” she would say, but Isabella was insistent, and she had enjoyed spending the days in the library, perusing the books and reading poetry, philosophy, literature, and history.
It was three days after the visit of Victor Radcliffe, and far from feeling neglected, Isabella now felt entirely at home at Howdwell Heights. She and Edward would take walks together in the garden, and she would spend time assisting him with his correspondence. There was still a great deal of work to do on the hospital project, and Isabella had written dozens of letters under Edward’s instruction and been privy to many of the decisions now to be made.
“Ah, there you are. I was just wondering, could you come and help me with something? I’m writing a letter to the Duke of Clarence, and I’m not sure how to make it sound like I’m not asking for money, even though I am,” Edward said, entering the library as Isabella sat reading.
