Page 54 of Rescuing a Tantalising Heiress
Augusta was speechless, but Edward turned and marched out of the room, calling for Marston to bring his outdoor clothes and signalling his intention to ride across the moor to visit their neighbour at home.
“Goodness me,” Isabella said, sighing and sitting down at the table.
“I knew he’d do this—he broods on matters, then makes a sudden decision for good or ill. He can appear entirely reasonable, and then…well, this,” Augusta said, pushing aside her half-eaten breakfast with a sigh.
Isabella had noticed this trait in Edward—he had changed his mind several times over their burgeoning relationship, and this latest incident only reinforced her fear he would do so again.
“I need to take Caesar for a walk. He’s been barking all night. Will you come with me? We can talk about it then. I feel partly responsible,” Isabella said as Augusta rose from the table.
“But why? You have nothing to be responsible for,” she replied.
But Isabella did feel responsible, and as they stepped out into the garden, she explained she had tried to persuade Edward as to the advantages of Hugh. Augusta listened, rolling her eyes at the mention of Edward’s desire to prevent her from heartbreak.
“My heart was broken before, not by love, but because of a lack of it. I wasn’t in love with Grenville. I was in despair. But this…oh, with Hugh, things feel so different. It’s my choice, and he’s never sought to force the matter. Quite the opposite, in fact. He wants to persuade me of his merits. He asked me to marry him, in fact,” Augusta said as they walked together through the rose garden.
Isabella let out a shriek of delight, turning to Augusta, who looked suddenly embarrassed.
“Really? He asked you to marry him? But what did you say? Oh, please tell me you said yes?” she exclaimed.
“I said I’d think about it—but I’d think about it very carefully. I know Edward wants to protect me, and that’s why I won’t rush into anything. Not until I’m certain,” Augusta said.
Isabella hoped Augusta would say yes. When she talked of Hugh, it was with the same happiness Isabella felt at the mention of Edward. A soul in love could surely recognize another soul in love, and it made Isabella happy to think they both shared those same feelings.
“But what do you want, Augusta?” Isabella asked.
“I want to marry him, and I hope Edward doesn’t put him off the thought. He can be…forceful,” Augusta replied.
They had reached the bottom of the garden now, where the ha-ha fell away, and the moorland stretched out in front of them, dotted with trees and the occasional livestock. The sun was shining, and Isabella was glad of its warmth on her face. Caesar was rolling on the grass, but he suddenly barked, his hackles rising, as he snarled towards the shrubbery.
“Oh, Caesar, stop being silly,” Isabella said, calling for the dog to follow them.
“I just want to be happy, that’s all,” Augusta said as they turned to follow the path along the side of the garden, where the rhododendron bushes grew tall and blooming.
“And you will be. We all will be,” Isabella assured her, slipping her arm through Augusta’s as they walked side by side.
“And I hope you will be, too—you and Edward,” Augusta replied.
Isabella turned to her in surprise. She had not realized her friend knew anything of her romance with the viscount. They had kept the matter secret, and no one—apart from Hetty—had discovered them together.
“Edward?” Isabella said, for she did not think Augusta’s brother would like the matter of their affair to be known by his sister.
But Augusta raised her eyebrows.
“Oh, Isabella. Don’t you think I know? I’ve seen the way he looks at you and the way you look at him. It’s why I’ve been spending more time with Hugh. I wanted the two of you to get to know one another. He needs someone like you, and I think you’ve found a kindred spirit in him. I’m happy for you both,” Augusta said, and Isabella smiled.
She was glad to hear Augusta’s words and grateful to her for her understanding. A brother could be overprotective of his sister, but a sister could be overly discerning in a match for her brother. Isabella was so glad they were friends, and now she laughed, realizing she and Edward had entirely failed in the matter of discretion.
“I didn’t expect it to happen, but…well, it seemed so natural. He was reticent at first—changing his mind and speaking of his duty towards me. But I told him he’d already surpassed in his duty and to let his heart speak, too,” Isabella replied.
“And I’m glad it did. He deserves his happiness, just as you do. Strange circumstances brought you together, but love can blossom in the strangest of places and at the strangest of times. I suppose I’ve come to realize that, too. I’m happy for you, Isabella. Truly, I am,” Augusta said.
Isabella felt relieved. She had wondered what Augusta would say when the matter of her courtship with Edward was made public. Itwasa courtship, even as she had feared calling it such, even in her own mind.
“I’ve never been in love before, and I didn’t expect to fall in love, either—certainly not under such strange circumstances,” Isabella replied as they walked arm in arm along the edge of the shrubbery.
Caesar was still growling and barking at something, even as Isabella could see nothing untoward to make him do so.
“I don’t think we ever expect it, do we? It just…happens,” Augusta replied.
