Page 50 of Rescuing a Tantalising Heiress
“I don’t know,” he replied, finishing the brandy in his glass and rising to his feet.
“Well…whatever the circumstances, we can only hope the duke’s daughter is safe and well,” Victor replied.
Talk now turned to the hospital, and Edward was able to report considerable progress in his efforts at raising money. He knew Victor was suspicious, and he felt certain his associate knew more about the matter than he was letting on. He had come to Howdwell Heights to fish for information, but to what ends, Edward did not know. His was a world in which secrets were a commodity, and he was intent on keeping his own, come what may.
Chapter 20
“Youhaven’t stopped smiling all morning, my lady, since you returned from your walk,” Anne said as she helped Isabella with her shawl.
Isabella blushed—she had not thought her demeanour so obvious. But she felt like smiling, the memory of the kiss she had shared with Edward lingering in her mind. She had desired it, and so had he. They had put the foolishness of their previous dalliance behind them, and Isabella felt certain the viscount was no longer torn between duty and his heart. As she had reminded him, the two went together.
“Can’t I be happy?” Isabella asked as Caesar barked and jumped up at her.
He had not accompanied them on their walk that morning, and it seemed he was eager to be let out.
“You can, my lady—but you must still be cautious,” Anne replied, looking fearfully at Isabella, who sighed.
“I just want to forget all about it, Anne. I’m safe here with Edward and Augusta. And I’ve got you and Caesar, too,” she said.
The maid laughed.
“And a fine guard dog he was, my lady. He’d lick you to death, but that’s about it,” she said, leaning down and patting the dog on his head.
Caesar barked, and Isabella beckoned for him to follow her, intending to take him out for a stroll in the garden.
But as she came to the landing, Isabella was surprised to hear voices in the hallway, and descending the stairs, she found Edward talking to the Baron of Longley and another man she did not recognize. They turned to her, and the baron bowed, his companion smiling at Isabella, but with a look of surprise on his face.
“Ah…I didn’t realize you had a house guest, Edward,” he said, and Edward looked suddenly fearful.
“Ah…yes, this is my cousin…Isabella. Isabella, this is my…associate, Victor Radcliffe,” Edward said, and the man stepped forward and held out his hand.
“Charmed, I’m sure. I didn’t realize Edward had a cousin, and certainly not one as pretty as you,” he said as Isabella curtsied and held out her hand.
She had taken an immediate disliking to the man. There was something about his appearance she did not like, nor the way he looked at her. He was tall and athletically built, with the wisps of a beard trimmed across his cheeks.
He wore a blue frock coat, breeches, a shirt with a white cravat at the neck, and riding boots, flecked with mud. Taking his hand, Isabella forced a smile to her face, knowing she had to act the part as Edward had told her.
“Yes, a distant cousin. But Augusta and I were always close as children,” she said.
“And where do you come from? I’ve got a feeling we’ve met before,” Victor said.
Isabella could not recall meeting him, for she felt certain she would have remembered a man like this. She shook her head, feigning an attempt at recollection.
“No…I don’t think so. I’m from…Cornwall,” she said, hoping the distant county was far enough away to fail to rouse a connection in Victor’s mind.
He cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes.
“No…I’m certain I know you. It’ll come to me, I’m sure. How long are you staying at Howdwell Heights? It’s a lonely place to find oneself, isn’t it?” he said, and Isabella nodded.
“That’s right—and it’s just how I like it. The isolation of the moorland. It’s very like Cornwall,” she replied, elaborating on the deception, even as Edward looked uncomfortable.
“Yes, well, I’m sure Augusta’s waiting—are you taking Caesar for a walk?” Edward asked.
At these words, Victor looked up with interest, noticing Caesar, who had been sitting on the stairs.
“Oh, a dog—how interesting,” he said as Caesar barked.
“Yes, I’ll go and find her,” Isabella said, and curtseying hastily, she hurried off towards the drawing room, finding Augusta writing letters at a desk in the corner.
