“No,” Diana said, a little startled at Celine’s annoyance. “I haven’t heard a thing.”
“No,” Celine said, looking at Diana with disapproval. “I don’t suppose you would, lost in your own little world as you are.”
“Is there something the matter?” Diana asked, a little confused by the entire exchange.
“Yes,” Celine said. She took hold of Diana’s arm, turned her back in the direction she was walking, and they began to stroll at a much more leisurely pace than Diana had been going before.
“Then are you going to tell me what the matter is?” Diana asked. “Or shall I guess?”
“I’ll tell you,” Celine said. She had her face turned away from Diana’s, haughty and feigning anger. “I have barely seen you at all this week. We live together, Diana, in the same house, at least for the time being. And yet you have chosen to ignore your poor Sister for days.”
“Oh, I’m sorry Celine,” Diana said. “I have not been ignoring you, I have—”
“I fear that this is merely the beginning, and I dread to think how it will be when we both live in separate houses. Will I ever see you again once you are married or will that be it? Forever?”
Diana stopped walked and turned to her sister, clutching both her hands and looking into her eyes.
“Of course you will,” she said, her eyes pleading with Celine’s. “I am sorry if I have been neglecting you. You know you are my very best friend as well as my Sister, and I certainly would not do anything intentionally to hurt you.”
“I know,” Celine said, looking down at their hands, entwined together. “But I miss you, that’s all.”
“And I miss you,” Diana said. And then she grinned, pulling Celine’s attention back to her face. “But it’s all terribly exciting, isn’t it? I cannot remember when I was as happy as this.”
“Yes,” Celine said, letting herself grin too. “And I have news!”
“News?” Diana’s high pitch told of her excitement, and she dragged Celine over to the nearest bench. “Come, you must tell me your news.”
“Lord Percival has set a date. For the wedding. I am to be married before summer’s end!”
“Oh, Celine, that’s wonderful news. I shall have to talk to His Grace about selecting a date for our own wedding.”
“You will help me choose a gown, won’t you?” Celine asked. “It is such a big decision and—”
“You would not be able to keep me away. We shall have you made the most glorious wedding gown London has ever seen. To suit the most beautiful bride London has seen.”
Celine smiled, but there was a sadness in her eyes that Diana wondered at.
“I just wish Mother was here to see it,” she said, looking down at her lap.
“I know, Celine,” Diana said, rubbing her back. “But she will look down on you, and she will bless the day and your marriage.”
Celine nodded and they sat in silence for a moment, both lost in thoughts of their mother, of what she would think of the young ladies they had become.
“I cannot believe this is really happening,” Celine said. “He is coming here this afternoon, for a walk. I could ask Mary to chaperone, but I was thinking perhaps you and His Grace would like to join us? It’s such a lovely day and, if I have my way, the four of us will be spending a lot more time together, once we’re married.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Diana said. “I shall ask His Grace right away. You’ll let me know when the Earl arrives?”
“Of course,” Celine said, and with that, Diana hurried off to find Isaac.
“Ah, Lord Percival, how delightful to see you,” Isaac said as he strode into the entrance hall, his footsteps ringing loudly on the floor. “And may I offer my congratulations on your upcoming nuptials.”
“And I you, Your Grace,” Lord Percival said, taking a deep bow.
“Are we ready?” Lady Celine asked.
She was excitable, Isaac noticed. Like a puppy. He thought back to their dance at her coming-out ball and he smiled to himself. It seemed like such a long time ago—he was a completely different man with entirely different intentions—and yet it was mere months since they had met. Everything had moved so quickly, but he was overjoyed with every part of it.
“Yes,” Lord Percival said. “My Lady?”
He held his hand out for Celine to take, and Isaac saw the shock of glee that ran through her eyes. She was adorable and he would be glad to have her as a sister-in-law. But she had none of the passion and the confidence that Diana had, and thought of the difference between them sent thrills through him.
Isaac nodded at Diana rather than saying any words, and she understood implicitly. She took his hand in hers, their warmth mingling despite their gloves, and they gazed lovingly at one another as they left the house.
“Goodness, it’s warm today,” Lady Celine said once they were in the main body of the garden. She fanned herself wildly. “Do you not think so, Lord Percival?”
“Indeed, summer has begun in earnest.”
“It is nearly mid-summer, Lord Percival,” Diana said. “If it had not yet begun in earnest, I should be concerned.”
Isaac stifled a laugh. It made a pleasant change not to be on the receiving end of Diana’s sharp wit, and he could not deny that he enjoyed witnessing others being shot down by her. He very much looked forward to their evenings together once they were married.
“Well, yes,” Lord Percival said, stumbling over his words. “I just meant—”
“He just meant it is warm, Diana,” Celine said, narrowing her eyes at her sister. Her expression told Diana to behave, to be nice, but Isaac caught Diana’s mischievous eye.
“And I merely stated that summer has long begun. Do you prefer winter, Lord Percival?”
“No, I—”
“Pay no attention to my Sister’s nonsense,” Celine said. “She is merely punishing me for questioning her own betrothed just a few days ago.”
Lord Percival looked around, unsure but intrigued in equal measure. He clearly did not dislike the conversation that he found himself caught up in, but he did not quite understand it either.
Isaac, though, loved to watch the sisters together, bouncing off one another. They made an entertaining pair.
“Come,” Lord Percival said, finally changing the subject. “Let’s walk.”
It was a pleasant enough afternoon. There was enough of a breeze so as to not stifle them with heat, and the witty conversation between the four worked well. Diana, no doubt seeking revenge for Celine’s questioning at dinner the week previously, interrogated Lord Percival on his intentions, and he answered quickly and sufficiently.
Diana shot Isaac a look, silently telling him she approved, and he nodded in return. Lord Percival was a decent gentleman, and he and Celine seemed perfect for one another.
As they began their second turn around the garden, Isaac fell quiet, letting the ladies twitter on happily. He watched carefully, listening to their conversation, and he felt a peace descend over him. This was the life he wanted to live, and the life he should have been living all along.
Avenging his father’s death had consumed him for such a long time that he had rather forgotten simple pleasures, such as gardens and friendship and laughter. He had, for far too long, carried Thomas—both financially and emotionally—and now, he was beginning to realize that he had not been helping Thomas at all.
Of course their father’s death was tragic, and of course, they had the right to be sad about it. But by humoring Thomas for so many years, Isaac now suspected he had stopped him from growing up, becoming the man he could become.
Now, Isaac thought, Thomas has a chance to live again. Just as I am.
Chapter 29
The Earl returned early the next morning and called Isaac immediately to his study. When he entered, Isaac heard the coughing first, before Henry greeted him. The sound was raspy and harsh, painful, and Isaac winced.
“Are you all right, My Lord?” he asked. �
��You do not sound well.”
“It is nothing,” Henry said, shrugging off Isaac’s concerns, but Isaac suspected there was more to Henry’s cough than he claimed. His face was pale and worn, and his eyes even more tired than usual. His brow had a crease of concern, worried at what was to come. Isaac felt something tighten in his chest.
Has Thomas somehow got to him?
But no. That was impossible. The poison Thomas had always planned to use was quick-acting. It would not merely leave the Earl with a painful cough. He would writhe on the floor as their father had done.
Perhaps Thomas won’t need to get to him, after all.
“I…all right,” Isaac said. He did not want to pry. It was a man’s right to guard his secrets if he wished, and Isaac knew that better than most.
“Has all been well during my absence?” Henry asked, clearing his throat again.
“Quite well,” Isaac said, although he didn’t elaborate.
He couldn’t even begin to talk of the things that had happened in the days he had been gone. He didn’t want to admit that at every opportunity, he found a way to meet with Diana, to touch her again, to talk to her long into the night. He wouldn’t speak of the stolen glances across the dinner table, or the snatched kisses in the hallways.
“Excellent,” Henry said, and although he tried to keep his voice light, happy, he sounded tired with life. “I knew I could trust you to look after My Girls.”
The night Diana crept to his room flashed through Isaac’s mind. Henry would not be so keen if he was aware of such wanton behavior under his roof. Isaac pushed the thought away, shaking his head to rid himself of the image of her. There would be time for that, later.
“Not at all,” Isaac said, looking down at his lap. “I have rather enjoyed my stay.”
“That is good news,” Henry said, but before he could say anymore, he was wracked with coughs again. His body doubled over, and his eyes widened as though in fear. He held a handkerchief to his mouth as Isaac reached over and poured him a drop of whisky from the decanter that sat on the desk.
“Here,” Isaac said, “take a drink.”
As Henry pulled the handkerchief away, Isaac noticed it spotted with blood, even as Henry tried to hide it. Shock ran through him, but he said nothing. He should be angry at this man, thrilled at his illness after what he did to their father. And yet, he found himself oddly concerned for Henry.
“A little too much fresh air, I believe,” Henry said with a chuckle, once he had regained his composure. “I am better kept indoors.”
“Indeed,” Isaac said, chuckling as well but with a false and concerned humor.
“Now, My Boy,” Henry said. “I would like to make preparations for your upcoming wedding. I would rather see both my daughters wed as soon as possible, and Diana in particular. She is of some age now, and it is time.”
And you know you are dying.
The thought surprised even Isaac, but the more he considered it, the more he realized it was probably true. Henry was so keen to see them married because if they did not do so soon, he would not see it at all.
“Yes, I agree that sooner is better,” Isaac said. He cleared his throat and looked away. He couldn’t say what he really thought—that he wanted to marry as soon as possible to prevent Thomas from ruining it.
“Excellent,” Henry said again, wheezing as he spoke. “Then I shall set things in motion.”
Isaac left the room and wandered through the house until he found himself in the library. He ran his hands over the spines of leather-bound books, not really paying much attention to what he was doing but allowing his mind to flit from one thought to the next.
He didn’t know what to think—joy at his upcoming marriage or fear at what might become of Thomas. He didn’t know whether he should bare his all and risk the consequences, trusting in a love strong enough to understand, or to guard his secrets close to his chest.
Can I really become the son-in-law of the man who killed my Father?
Isaac didn’t know, couldn’t know. Sometimes, he completely forgot about the turmoil that had happened when he was a boy—forgot, even, that Henry Allen had ever been friends with his father. But then it would hit him again and he would feel the waves of guilt wash over him. Guilt that he was letting his brother down, guilt that he was marrying into the family of his father’s murderer. Guilt that he was not avenging the father he loved so much.
He left the library via the French doors and ambled into the garden, looking over the sun-drenched lawn. He could hear the birds singing in the distance, and Isaac thought of a lover’s heart, calling out to their one true love.
As mine is.
He smiled at the thought. It was like something Diana would read in one of her romantic books, something inane and fairy tale, and not at all like the masculine delights he knew he should prefer. And yet, there it was, this love that had captured his soul and run far, far away.
He had to do whatever he could to maintain what they had, even if that meant accepting what Henry had done. The thought of hurting her, even by omission if not by action, stabbed at Isaac, a knife through his heart.
And for that, he was relieved to no longer be part of Thomas’ plan. It was nothing less than cruelty, and Isaac wanted nothing more to do with it. Now, he had to accept Henry and whatever deeds he had done. In time, perhaps, he would ask him about it, tell him about the plan, so that he could know the truth once and for all. But for the moment, he would embrace the happiness he had found.
“Can you believe we are both to be married so soon?” Celine asked, giggling as she picked up her teacup. Diana smiled up at her.
“Honestly, I wasn’t sure I would ever marry,” Diana admitted. “Despite my fight for love, I shared Father’s concerns about my age. It was very almost too late.”
“No,” Celine said, shaking her head. “Not too late, my dear. It was fate that you should not have married sooner, for if you had you would never have met His Grace, and to lose a love like that would have been a terrible tragedy.”
Diana smiled at that, but she said nothing. It fed easily into her beliefs on love and the stories of fate she had read so often. Isaac really was the knight she had been waiting for, the gallant hero who had saved the day, just as the fair maiden thought all was lost.
“Yes,” Diana said, nodding her agreement with a smile. “I rather think you are correct.”
Isaac had returned to Gallonon Hall once their father’s trip was concluded. There had been a somewhat tearful goodbye, Diana feeling his loss keenly, even before he had left.
“Worry not, My Love,” he said to her, a finger curled beneath her chin so that her teary eyes met his smiling ones. “We shall be together anon, and forever after that. Our love was meant to be, and our marriage will be better than either of us have dreamed it could be.”
She had wept when he left, her soul crying out for his. Although it would only be a number of days before she saw him again—and a number of weeks before they were married—she could not help but feel adrift with sadness and despair.
“Lord Percival is visiting this afternoon,” Celine said, pulling Diana out of her reverie.
“Oh yes?” she asked. “That will be lovely for you, My Dear.”
“Yes, I thought we might take a walk in the gardens if the sun stays bright. Would you care to join us? I can ask Mary to chaperone if you’d rather not.”
“Ask Mary,” Diana said, nodding. “I am rather tired today. I don’t think a walk would do me any good at all.”
“All right,” Celine said, biting down on her toast. “But don’t pine too much, and certainly do not sulk because your beloved is not here. You had a taste of living with him before marriage, which is more than most of us get.”
Diana chuckled at that. Celine was quite right. She had no business being sad.
“Take Cocoa with you,” Diana said, looking at the dog reclining on the sofa opposite her. “He is getting fat. I suspect Father pampers him all too much.”
“I suspect,” Celine said, raising her eyebrow, “that you are guilty of as much yourself.”
“Do you think he’ll come back?” Diana asked, suddenly.
“Cocoa?” Celine asked.
“No, Silly. The Duke of Gallonon. Do you think he’ll return to the house before the wedding? Father said he could stay until we are wed. That he is to treat this house as his own.”
“He has a Dukedom to run, my dearest Sister,” Celine said, chastising her gently. “But I am sure he will if he can. Be patient; this time will pass quicker than you can imagine.”
“You’re right, as you always are in these matters, Celine. I suspect you will make an excellent wife for Lord Percival, able to advise him on all manner of matters.”
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