Page 47 of Rescuing a Tantalising Heiress
“You were just going, weren’t you?” Edward said, and Benjamin nodded, smiling at Isabella, as Edward signalled to the butler to show him out.
As Edward turned from seeing off his friend, he found Isabella standing at the dining room, an expectant look on her face.
“Are you…joining me for breakfast?” she asked.
Edward could hardly refuse, and even as Marston raised his eyebrows, he nodded.
“Yes, I doubt Augusta will be down anytime soon,” he said, following her into the dining room.
It would have been churlish to refuse, though Edward could sense the tension in the air as he sat down at the table opposite Isabella.
“More coffee, my lord?” Marston asked.
“Yes, and toast and marmalade,” Edward replied.
Isabella helped herself to devilled kidneys from a tureen on the sideboard and came to sit back down at the table, glancing at Edward, who smiled.
“I wondered…perhaps you might like to walk in the gardens this morning. If Augusta’s going to meet Hugh, you’ll be on your own,” Edward said, for he was not about to renege on his promises, and it seemed Isabella was pleased at his suggestion.
“I’d like that,” she said as Marston placed a pot of marmalade on the table.
“I don’t want there to be any awkwardness between us. But it’s for the best,” Edward said, lowering his voice as the butler left the room.
Isabella looked up at him and nodded. She really was very pretty—even with tear-stained cheeks—and Edward could not help but feel guilty at the thought of having upset her.
“There doesn’t need to be. We can talk about it on our walk. Do you think Augusta and Hugh make a good match?” she asked.
Edward was somewhat taken aback by these words. He had not thought much about it, or rather, the possibility had not presented itself. He knew his sister and Hugh were friends, but as for something more…
“I don’t think so. She was so hurt in her first marriage. It should never have occurred. Grenville was a wicked old man—he didn’t love her. I wish I’d had greater strength of character. I could’ve put a stop to it, but I didn’t. My father made the arrangements, and that was that. It’s a blessing he died. God forgive me for saying so,” Edward replied.
Isabella looked surprised at the force of his words, but Edward was adamant in them. He despised the memory of the Marquess of Hamilton. His only legacy to Augusta was her title, which at least provided her with respect and an income.
But as for the way he had treated her, Edward felt shame for having allowed it. He would not allow the same thing to happen again, and whilst he had every liking for Hugh, the thought of him marrying Augusta was not one he wished to entertain.
“But don’t you think she deserves to find true happiness?” Isabella persisted.
“She’s perfectly happy as she is. I won’t allow…” he began with a sigh and shook his head as he realized how he sounded—the dictatorial brother, keeping his sister in line.
“Won’t allow what?” Isabella asked.
“I won’t allow Augusta to be hurt again. If she falls in love with Hugh, so be it. But I couldn’t bear to see her heart broken by anyone. A heart can only be repaired so many times,” he said, even as he felt suddenly guilty for speaking in such a way, after what he had said to Isabella the night before.
She, too, appeared to be thinking this, but she said nothing in reply and finished eating her devilled kidneys in silence.
***
After breakfast, Edward reluctantly accompanied Isabella on her walk around the gardens. He was still wary of the possibility they were being watched, and as they followed a path through the shrubbery, Edward kept glancing back and forth, watching for any sudden movement or threat.
“There’s no one here,” Isabella said, catching Edward’s eye.
“But there might be. It’s dangerous, Isabella. Anything could happen. It’s still not safe,” Edward said.
He had even brought a letter opener with him, slipped into his pocket as Isabella’s maid was helping her with her shawl and bonnet. But despite his fears, the garden was quiet, and the only surprise they encountered a flock of birds roosting in a tree, who flew out in a great cloud of flapping wings and squawks.
“I do like Howdwell Heights. I’ll be sorry to leave. But you mustn’t feel guilty about anything, Edward—really, you mustn’t,” Isabella said, turning to Edward as they reached the end of the path through the shrubbery.
“It’s just…well, I don’t want you to think badly of me,” Edward said.
