Page 22 of Rescuing a Tantalising Heiress
“It’s quite curious, isn’t it? I’m not sure I like it very much. A garden of love, but filled with graves? Isn’t it saying we only lose the ones we love? That death’s the price we pay for love,” he said.
Isabella herself had not interpreted the poem as such. She read it as an ode to the loves that might have been, even as the garden of love was a place where new love could blossom.
“I…well, yes, perhaps,” she said, feeling somewhat disappointed as to his response.
He smiled at her, taking the volume from her hands and flicking through it himself. She watched as he furrowed his brow, wondering what he was thinking. Did he think her foolish for talking about poetry and libraries, when he himself was involved in affairs of state and important matters of business? Isabella felt suddenly foolish and embarrassed, even as Edward suddenly smiled.
“Ah, here we are,” he said, and he began to read.
“Ah Sun-flower! weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the Sun:
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the traveller’s journey is done.
Where the Youth pined away with desire,
And the pale Virgin shrouded in snow:
Arise from their graves and aspire,
Where my Sun-flower wishes to go.”
“Oh, that’s one of my favourites, too,” Isabella said as the viscount concluded reading the poem entitledAh! Sun-flower.
“It’s rather nice—better than a garden full of death,” Edward replied, and Isabella laughed.
“That’s very true,” she said as Edward replaced the volume on the shelf.
“You’re welcome to spend as much time as you wish here. Don’t feel confined, please—it’s the last thing I’d want. But we must be cautious. I’m fearful of your being discovered. I think it’s wise if you remain in the house for now, as much as I’d like to show you the grounds and the estate, though I suppose you’ve already seen them, after a fashion,” he said, shaking his head.
Isabella nodded. She knew there was wisdom in his words, as much as she disliked being confined to the house. Danger lurked on every side, and the possibility of a further attempt by the kidnappers was very real.
“Am I really still in danger?” she asked, and Edward looked suddenly grave.
“I fear you are, yes. It pains me to say it, and I wish it weren’t the case, but I believe they’d make another attempt—if they knew where you were. Your father intends to make it appear as though you’ve returned to Burlington Grange, but how long such a ruse can last, I’m uncertain. Servants talk, and not everyone can be trusted,” the viscount replied.
His words made Isabella shudder. She had always been a trusting person, too much so, perhaps. There was not a single servant at Burlington Grange whom she would suspect of betraying her, and yet, the possibility of it was very real.
Someone had surely told the kidnappers she would be alone that night, and perhaps they had been paid to leave a door unlocked or provide a way of getting to Isabella’s bedroom to enact the wicked deed. The thought of it terrified her, even as she had made the matter easy for the kidnappers by going for her nighttime walk with Caesar and coming upon them unexpectedly.
“It’s just so horrible. I never thought…well, I suppose I’ve lived a very sheltered life. One reads about such things in books, but to actually experience it for oneself—that’s quite a different matter,” Isabella replied, glancing fearfully towards the windows, as though she expected one of the kidnappers to be watching her.
Edward put his hand gently on her arm and smiled.
“I promise I’ll do all I can to protect you. You’re safe here. There’s no danger, I assure you—not that I know of. But we must keep it that way,” he said.
She looked up at him and smiled. He had such a kind face, and the tone of his voice was one of the utmost reassurance. Isabella trusted him, and whilst she wanted only to return to the peaceful life she had enjoyed before, she was glad to have his company and know herself to be under his protection.
“I’m very grateful to you,” she said, blushing a little under his gaze.
At that moment, a knock came at the library door, and it was opened by the butler, who was about to announce the reason for his presence, when a loud bark caused Isabella to let out a cry of joy. It was Caesar, and now he came bounding into the library, leaping and barking in delight, as Isabella ran to fling her arms around him.
“My lord, my apologies!” Marston exclaimed, but Edward only waved his hand dismissively.
“Oh, it’s quite all right, Marston. It seems we’re witnesses to a very happy reunion,” he said as Isabella fondled Caesar’s ears, and the dog continued to bark in delight at seeing his mistress.
