Dawn at Emberwilde (40 page)

She pressed her lips together, no doubt at the memories. “It is no one's fault but my own. Nothing is without a price. But I did learn a great many lessons while there, Colin, so I do not regret it, not in the least.”

The sound of his Christian name on her lips spread warmth within him.

She tilted her head to the side. “May I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“While in Mr. Langsby's office, you offered me guidance. You said to be careful.”

“I did.”

She paused. “What did you mean by that?”

“I only meant that this world, the world of estates and tenants and properties, can be a difficult one. You have a capable steward and butler, and you can trust them to get you started on the right foot. But many others will ask for your trust who do not deserve it.”

A sigh escaped her lips. “Yes, I have learned that lesson.”

She studied her fingers, still wrapped in his, for several moments before looking back to him. “I appreciate your willingness to offer your counsel, Colin. Your guidance is very important to me.”

Her words lingered in his mind. They hung in the air, thick, like a mist that settled in the forest after the rain. By all accounts her words were positive, agreeable in their connotations and meaning. But kind as they were, they did not accurately match the emotions he had developed for her.

He feared overstepping his bounds. He had just cautioned her against those who would impose upon her trust and take advantage of her trusting nature. Was he any better than those he described? But he cared little for the estate, or the wealth, the house, or anything that went along with it. He cared only for her.

He did not know what to say now that silence had fallen, but he knew he could not let this moment pass. For as life resumed, he might never have another opportunity.

“Isabel,” he began, “it has been my pleasure to offer whatever assistance I could, but after all this time, and after all that has transpired, I would like to offer you more than merely guidance.”

Her eyebrows drew together in question. Bravery infused him. His fingers tightened around hers.

She looked down at their hands and did not pull away. He was so close that he could feel her warmth, her energy.

She drew a deep breath, and her blue eyes flicked boldly to his. She showed no distress. Instead, he thought he noticed a tremble in her chin. Moisture in her eyes. She looked at him fully. Trusting him.

He leaned toward her. “I have watched you for so long. I have witnessed your betrayal. I have seen you endure injustice and handle it with grace. I have nothing but admiration for you, and somehow you have become a part of my daily thoughts. When I heard you had been sent away, I could not rest until I knew you were safe. Say the word and I will speak no more on the matter, on that you have my word, but I cannot leave this room without telling you how much you have captivated me.”

At this, a tear slipped from her eye and slid down her smooth cheek, but her gaze did not waver. He reached out his hand, slowly, and brushed the tear away with his thumb. He could not pull his hand away. He cupped her cheek with a gentle caress. She tipped her head into his palm. At her response, he could not prevent the grin spreading across his face. “I have just spoken to you of being cautious, but I cannot let this moment pass without offering you my love and everything I am. If you allow me, Isabel, I will dedicate every moment of my life to making sure you feel not an ounce of pain or heartbreak.”

She drew a shaky breath, and at length, a smile formed on her face. He stood and, taking both of her hands in his, helped her to her feet. She stood so close to him. He moved his hands to her arms, then brushed the hair from her face, just as he had imagined doing a dozen times.

Her breath was still shaky, her eyes still fixed on him. “I . . . I can't imagine doing anything, or being anywhere, without you.”

Her words filled him with courage. He stepped even closer, so that the fabric of her skirt brushed his legs. He drew her close and
she did not resist. Quite the opposite—she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder.

At long last, for the first time since he could remember, love and adoration replaced the empty restlessness that had so occupied his soul. He held her for several moments, relishing the feeling of her so near to him, knowing that she trusted him. Cared for him.

He tilted her chin up to look at her. A smile, pure and genuine, curved her full lips. How beautiful she was. “Oh, Isabel, my Isabel,” he breathed as he looked from the top of her golden curls to her eyes to her lips. “I could never bear to be separated from you. Never again. Marry me.”

Tears fell freely from her eyes, but he was not alarmed. For the light in her eyes, the smile on her lips confirmed tears of joy.

Before she responded, he added, “I want to take care of you. And Lizzie. Today and every day hereafter.”

She drew a deep breath and nodded, and with every second that passed, her smile intensified. “Yes, Colin. Yes!”

He drew her close. He doubted his own ability to stand when she wrapped her arms around his neck. His lips found hers, naturally and fully, and he very soon found himself lost in the wonder of her kiss.

He had found the place his soul had yearned for. After searching for home, he had finally found it—with her.

Chapter Forty-Three

M
rs. Isabel Galloway sat at the breakfast table next to her husband. His hand was resting on the table, and she reached out and covered it with her own.

He looked up from his paper with an expectant smile, waiting to hear what she had to say.

She lifted the letter that had been delivered that morning. “I have news. Mary has accepted our invitation and will be here in three days' time. Are you sure you do not mind if she stays with us?”

He lowered the paper. “If it makes you happy, then I am fine with it.”

She beamed under his words. “She is my dearest friend, and I cannot bear the thought of her alone. It is my hope that we can give her the opportunity for a new future and outcome.”

“I think it is a fine idea. And you mention she is unattached? Hmm. Henry is unattached. That might be a project for you, my dear.”

She gave a little shrug of excitement and lowered the letter to the table. “May I confess I thought the very same thing? Wouldn't that be something?”

Isabel returned her attention to the letter. In the time since their wedding, she and Colin had settled into a new routine. They'd had no contact with Emberwilde, and Bradford was in a cell, awaiting his trial. Her aunt, because of her status and the fact she was not directly involved in the smuggling, had escaped any sort of reprimand. Colin had resigned as magistrate and was busy
assisting in the search for a new superintendent for the foundling home. He was usually gone by that time of day to see to the duties of both his family's estate and Heddeston's, but today he had stayed behind in anticipation of a very special delivery.

Lizzie, who sat across from them, bounced in her seat, barely able to contain her excitement. “But when will he get here?”

Colin smiled at the girl. “He should arrive at any time, but we must be patient.”

“But that is impossible!” she cried, her dark eyes bright. “I've been waiting for days and days.”

“Then a few more hours should not hurt,” Colin teased.

Isabel watched the scene with satisfied happiness. Lizzie was blossoming here at Heddeston, and her relationship with Colin had deepened.

“Can we go to the stable now? I need to check his stall again.”

Isabel could not help but smile at her sister's enthusiasm, for today she was to get a pony of her own.

Colin, as usual, was unable to resist the little girl's wide eyes. “Ah, all right. I will go with you.” He squeezed Isabel's hand and pressed a kiss to the top of her head as he brushed past her. She smiled at the touch, still giddy at his attentions. She feared she would always be.

Lizzie raced around the room, prancing next to Colin. She tucked her hand in his as they left the house.

Isabel stood and moved to the window to watch them walk to the stable, but she stopped short when she saw a carriage in the drive. It bore the Ellison crest on the door—the very carriage that had retrieved Lizzie and her from Fellsworth so long ago.

Panic began to rise within her. She had had no contact with her family since her arrival at Heddeston Park. She had not refrained from visiting the friends she had made, nor had she neglected dinner invitations, but it was as if the Ellisons had disappeared
after the scandal. Isabel had written Constance but received no response. She had resigned herself to accepting that the relationship was severed.

She lifted her eyes to the path that led to the stable. Colin had seen the carriage too. She could see him looking toward her, but then Lizzie tugged his hand. Isabel waved at him to continue on. Whoever was in that carriage, and whatever conversation awaited, she could handle it on her own.

It was Constance who emerged, beautifully dressed in a striking gown of pink and gold. Isabel watched as she was received by Stephenson, then hurried from the breakfast room, taking a few moments to pat her hair into place. Enthusiasm to see her cousin trumped all hurts.

Constance stepped into the foyer, and Isabel hurried to her. Unable to resist, she hugged her cousin tightly. “Oh, Constance! What a day this is. I am so happy to see you!”

When she stepped back, Isabel found tears in Constance's eyes and sadness tugging at her lips.

“Whatever is wrong? Come, come with me to the parlor. We can talk there.”

She took her cousin by the hand and led her like a child to the settee. She sat down and motioned for Constance to join her. Constance took a seat, slowly, and looked around the room.

“Your home is beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Isabel responded.

“It is just as I remembered it when we used to visit Grandfather.”

Isabel bit her lower lip. A million questions raced through her mind, and dozens of things that she wanted to say waited to be said. But she gave her cousin a moment to collect herself.

At length, Constance spoke. “Mother does not know I am here.”

Isabel thought it a strange way to start the conversation, but she remained silent.

“I am leaving Northrop on Monday. Mr. Nichols and I will be married soon, and I do not know when I will return to Emberwilde. But I could not leave, not with you here, not like this.”

Emotion tightened Isabel's throat as she watched her cousin struggle with the words.

“I don't even know where to begin,” Constance said. “There are so many things I need to say to you. So many explanations you are owed. I am sure they seem overwhelming, for if I were in your shoes, I should feel that way. But all I can do now is to ask for your forgiveness. I swear to you, Isabel, I knew nothing of what Mother had planned. Nothing. I do hope you believe me. I am shocked and embarrassed. I had my concerns about Mr. Bradford, and I should have been more forthcoming. Please, please forgive me.”

Isabel took her cousin's hands. “I know you did nothing wrong. You are my cousin and dear friend.” Isabel took several breaths to summon the courage for what she was about to ask. “And what about your mother? How is she?”

“To this day she can barely leave the house for the shame. She has become quite frightened that she will be accused of participating in the illegal activity, but I think she is safe from that. Her crime was one of greed. I am worried about her, actually. But my frustration and anger lie mostly with Mr. Bradford. He is at the crux of this, and he will have to answer for his actions.”

Isabel frowned in sympathy. She had witnessed firsthand Mr. Bradford's persuasive ability to manipulate others.

“Let me put your mind at ease, Constance. You have my full forgiveness.” Isabel reached out and squeezed her cousin's hand. “I must say, I have been wondering how our family was holding up.”

“I suppose you have heard the rumors, then.”

Isabel looked down to her hands, for it was true. She had heard the servants whispering, and even Colin's own family had shared news with her. “I have heard that Uncle sold the west farmlands to
Mr. Atwell, and I have also heard that Emberwilde itself may have to be sold.”

“It is a sad thing to think of, that is for sure. But perhaps it will be a positive thing, for a heaviness seems to hang over all.” Constance shook her head. “But what pains me the most is that I tried to press you into an arrangement with Mr. Bradford. If I had known anything of his true character—”

Isabel raised her hand to silence her cousin. “Please, do not think about it. We are each on our own journey, and nothing is by accident. I have found my happiness, and that is what matters, is it not?”

For the first time, a hint of a smile tugged at Constance's lips. “I have brought you something.” She stood and signaled to the carriage driver from the window. Isabel watched as he brought in a large item draped in a sheet and placed it against the wall. Constance removed the cloth.

Tears filled Isabel's eyes as her gaze landed on the portrait of her mother. Her heart warmed at the sight of the soft strokes that so carefully portrayed the woman she could barely remember but truly understood. Her lips trembled with the effort to keep her tears at bay.

“This belongs here,” explained Constance. “It belongs with you.”

Isabel touched the gilded frame and let her sight linger on the image that she had tried to re-create in her mind so many times. “I . . . I thought I would never see it again. Is your mother all right to part with it?”

“I told Mother I intended to give it to you, and she did not protest.” Constance lowered her gaze. “I do not mind sharing with you that I was concerned my betrothed would not honor our arrangement in light of the scandal, but since my dowry is unaffected, he has agreed to continue as planned. You must know I am eager to be free from the shadows surrounding Emberwilde.”