Page 48 of Rescuing a Tantalising Heiress
He knew enough men in London whose actions had made them notorious. Reputations were easily lost, and any whiff of a scandal could be disastrous. Edward was determined to see the hospital finished, and he knew the scheme would come crashing down if he was to become known for impropriety. His heart and mind were torn, and Edward knew how easily he could be turned away from reason.
“But I don’t. I don’t think badly of you for kissing me, and I don’t think badly of myself for kissing you back. There’s no scandal in it. Circumstances brought us together, and perhaps it was meant to be. I’m so grateful to you for what you’ve done for me. But it doesn’t mean you don’t have feelings,” Isabella said.
She was right, of course, and Edward could only agree with her words. Hedidhave feelings for her, and those feelings were only growing stronger. He had tried to resist them, telling himself of their inappropriateness. It was far easier when he was alone. But faced with her pretty countenance, her smile, her gentle words…
“No, you’re right. I do have feelings for you. Very strong feelings. But they’re not…” Edward stammered, faltering under her gaze.
To his surprise, Isabella now leaned forward and kissed him. She pulled him into her embrace, her arms around his waist, even as he made no effort at resistance. Her lips were sweet to the taste, and as they parted, she gazed up into his eyes and smiled.
“And I have feelings for you, too. But I’m not used to such feelings. I’ve lived a sheltered life, and I know little about the ways of the world—when it comes to men, at least. I was confused and hurt,” she said.
Edward sighed. He could feel only tenderness towards her, and he felt terrible at the thought of having upset her.
“I’m sorry. I felt torn between duty and heart,” he said.
“But can’t you honour both?” she asked.
At these words, Edward’s mind was made up. Why should he hold back? He had been a fool, and in his foolishness, he had almost lost her. She was different from any other woman he had known, and Edward could only feel fortunate she had not rejected him outright. This was his second chance, and Isabella was right—duty and the heart could go together. There was no need for conflict.
“I can, and I will. If it’s what you want,” he said, and Isabella nodded.
“I think it is. At least…I feel safe with you. I’m so glad we found one another,” she said, and Edward smiled.
“You fell into my arms,” he said, and Isabella laughed.
“I did, didn’t I? Oh, dear—what a thing,” she said as he brought her into his embrace, and she rested her head on his chest.
“And I’m so glad you did,” he replied, knowing there was no conflict between his feelings for Isabella and his duty to protect her.
It was the most natural thing in the world to fall in love, and instead of fearing it, Edward now vowed to embrace it.
Chapter 19
Edward returned from his walk with Isabella in an elated mood. The kiss had been entirely unexpected, as had the gracious manner in which she had forgiven his chivalrously minded faults. Edward had thought himself as behaving dutifully and with honour, but instead, he had behaved foolishly and without due regard for Isabella’s feelings. He had fallen in love with her, and it seemed she had fallen in love with him, too.
Despite my many faults,he thought to himself, as now he shut himself away in his study, a pile of correspondence keeping him occupied until luncheon.
The project of building the hospital was growing apace, and with most of the funding in place, it would not be long before the first foundation stone was laid.
“I’d still like to help you, if I can,” Isabella said after Edward had explained more about his plans over luncheon.
Augusta had not yet returned from her walk with Hugh, and the two of them were eating a delicious pea soup, sitting opposite one another, and catching one another’s gaze whenever they looked up.
“And I’m sure I can find all manner of ways in which you could be of help,” Edward replied.
He liked the idea of working with her. She had an infectious enthusiasm, and he felt certain she would set to at any task with due diligence for her cause.
“But what can I do? You mentioned correspondence? I’m happy to write letters, to suggest ways of reply—whatever you think best,” she said, and Edward.
“I can show you. I’d be ever so grateful,” he said, and after they had finished eating, the two of them spent a happy afternoon in the study.
Edward could not remember ever feeling so at ease with any woman as he did with Isabella, and without the previous barriers of his own foolish self-sense, Edward could not have felt happier.
“Does drinking brandy always make you smile so much, brother?” Augusta asked when she entered the drawing room later that evening.
Isabella had gone to bed, and Edward had poured himself a second brandy, whilst Augusta fetched a book from the library. He had been thinking about Isabella, and such thoughts could not arouse anythingbuta smile.
“Aren’t I allowed to be happy?” he asked, and Augusta nodded.
