Chapter 24
Jonathan rubbed his hands together as he trotted through the woods with the Yule log-searching party. Behind him, three large oxen pulled the cart containing the log through the thick forest.
Tree branches hung heavy with snow and every now and again, one of his friends would brush up against one, causing a small swirl of snow to fall upon their heads.
“I cannot wait for dinner tonight,” Thomas said, “I am rather famished. The Yule log search certainly works up an appetite!”
Eric snorted, “You did not do anything other than point at assorted trees. The servants did the actual work, chopping the tree down!”
“By Jove, Gordon. I have been upon the horse for hours, it is exhausting. I am fit for a good stew or some white soup, at least.”
“I will not lie, Gordon, I am rather hungry myself,” Jonathan agreed, causing Thomas to clap his hands.
“There you go, let us go eat!”
Jonathan could not wait to get to Roselawn Manor, for he had news to share with Isolde. His mother had finally responded to his message and promised to write a letter to Lord Lincester in an attempt to stop the betrothal to Mister Downey.
There could have been no better Christmastide gift for my lovely Isolde! Faith, I shall have to find opportunity to speak with her privately before the celebrations, so I can share the good news with her.
“Ekhard, you are feeling rather merry today. Has the Christmastide spirit caught you?” Eric rode beside him. “I should have thought that after yesterday’s dinner you might not be in that happy a mood.”
Jonathan shook his head. “It was a rather unpleasant experience, I cannot lie. I feel in much better spirits today.”
He considered for one moment telling Eric about his news but then dismissed the idea. He’d much rather tell Isolde first. Eric would find out soon enough.
“I do hope that at tonight’s dinner your Father will follow a more traditional seating arrangement.”
Eric grinned, “Dinner will be in the great dining hall, and the Downey party is not joining us, thus your chances of being seated next to my Sister are high, do not fret. I shall be seated next to Miss Brown, one way or the other!”
Jonathan smiled to himself. Eric’s affection for Miss Brown rivaled his own feelings for Isolde. Jonathan had found himself in recent days imagining what a future with Isolde by his side, as his wife, would look like. In his daydreams he saw Eric wed to Isolde’s best friend, Olivia, and the four of them living as neighbors and family.
They would have children close in age, creating a large family that spent the holidays and the London Season together. Once Eric and Thomas inherited their titles, they would serve in the House of Lords together, the three a united front. Thomas interrupted his thoughts.
“Say, Gordon, I have a piece of advice for you, regarding my Sister.”
Eric’s eyes opened wide.
“If I were you, I would consider using this cheerful season to ask my Father to officially court Olivia. Now that Lord Canterbury is out of the picture, he may well agree.”
Eric laughed, “It is not your Father who stands in the way of my courting your Sister. It is your Mother, as we all know.”
“Eh wot! Never mind my Mother. She is utterly invested in my search for a future wife now. You know how she is, one moment all her attention is on Olivia, the next I am her intended victim. Soon enough Charlotte and Mary will be the focus of her attention, when they are of age. For now, she is focused entirely on traveling to London with me to act as chaperone on my meeting with her future daughter-in-law.”
He paused before adding, “Besides, given Lord Lincester’s expansion of his business, I believe my Mother will be rather more inclined to overlook the fact that Gordon here is a mere heir to a Viscountship. Particularly if I am fortunate enough to wed a lady of higher standing. “
Eric looked from one to the other.
“Perhaps you are right, old chum. I shall consider the possibility.”
They had reached the outskirts of Roselawn Manor and rode on to the stables where they would leave the horses in the hands of the stable boys, while making their way into the house to refresh themselves with whatever wonderful deliciousness had been prepared for luncheon by the cooks.
* * *
Upon entry into the Manor, Jonathan instantly scanned the great hall for Isolde. He saw the entrance hall was decorated with holly and assorted evergreens, the work of Isolde and her friends, no doubt, but the ladies were nowhere to be seen.
He made his way into the drawing room and found that a feast had been laid out by the servants for the returning group. Goose and venison were offered, along with assorted vegetables and pies. It was but a preview to the lavish dinner which would be served the following day. Right now, Jonathan was not interested in the food, however.
The drawing room had been decorated as well, but the commotion in the adjacent dining room alerted him to the location of the ladies, and one lady in particular. With a wide smile, Jonathan made his way there.
To his surprise, he saw Miss Brown and Miss Henrietta, but not Isolde. He frowned. A maid was standing on a wooden stepstool attaching a wreath of elderberries to the chandelier.
He crossed the room to where Miss Henrietta was busy stringing holly across a window sill. The young lady’s red hair sparkled in the sunlight which shone through the windows. While striking, he found himself reminded of the lovely way with which Isolde’s brown hair sparkled in the sunlight. Naturally dark brown, the sun gave Isolde’s hair a sheen, rather like honey. He smiled as he thought of her and then approached her cousin.
“Would you know where I might find your Cousin?”
She turned to him, one hand still on the window sill where it was holding the greenery in place. Her eyes darted across the room, though not as if searching for her cousin. No, there was something rushed and almost panicked in the way she scanned the room.
“I do not know,” she finally said without looking directly at him.
“Your Grace,” another voice called across the room. He turned and found Miss Brown approaching him, her face stoic, yet her eyes were full of fiery rage. Jonathan took a step back, unsure why the young woman appeared vexed. “Have you come in search of Isolde?”
“Indeed, I have Miss Brown. Might you be able to direct me?”
She tilted her head to one side and pursed her lips. “No. I do not know where she is.” She did look him directly in the eyes, yet Jonathan knew at once she was lying. The way she stood and spoke was full of hostility, directed squarely at him.
“I thank you for the information, Miss Brown, Miss Henrietta,” he bowed and walked away, utterly disturbed by their behavior. They never acted in such a manner toward him.
As he left the room, the maid climbed off the stool and approached him.
"Miss Gordon is unwell, Your Grace. She shall join us for dinner, but for now she must rest.”
“I thank you for letting me know. Is it her leg that has bothered her once more?” The maid swallowed and glanced at Isolde’s friends who were both standing by the window, watching him.
“I do not know the nature of her illness as I did not see her before she retired to her chambers. I only know what I was told, Your Grace.”
He nodded, “Thank you. Molly, is it?”
“Yes, Your Grace.” She curtsied before him and departed to once again resume hanging decorations.
Jonathan left them behind and joined his friends as they indulged in the hearty luncheon that had been provided for them.
Thomas and Eric sampled every offering on the table, although Jonathan found himself simply picking at the food, his appetite having entirely left him.
* * *
Jonathan passed the time between the luncheon and the evening celebration by participating in an afternoon hunt with the other men in the party.
Following this, he spent several hours with his friends playing cards and billiards. While he enjoyed their company, he co
uld not stop himself from continuously glancing at the door, hoping that Isolde would appear.
She did not.
Jonathan was further disappointed to see that Isolde did not join them for the lighting of the Yule log either. This was highly unusual, for he knew how much she loved Christmas Eve.
In addition to Isolde’s absence, he was very much aware that both Miss Brown and Miss Henrietta continuously stared at him. Although he noted that the manner in which each looked at him was starkly different.
While Miss Brown glared at him with what he could only interpret as hatred in her eyes, Miss Henrietta appeared to be apprehensive. She averted her eyes each time she caught him looking at her. Neither behavior was usual, and roused his suspicion. Something was the matter. But what?
When it was time for dinner, he made his way to the dining room, accompanied by Thomas and Eric, in good hopes to finally be able to speak to Isolde. To his great disappointment, Jonathan found himself once again utterly vexed. As he took his seat, he found that it was not Isolde who was sitting at the foot of the table. Instead, Baroness Balwick was seated there. He frowned. As lady of the household, the seat at the foot of the table was Isolde’s. Lady Balwick did not even live at Roselawn, nor was she the most senior lady in attendance. Both Lady Conner and her cousin, Lady Buxby outranked her. Confused, Jonathan took his seat.
At last, Isolde appeared and took her seat next to her father, across from Lady Buxby and next to Lady Conner. She did not look at him once, save for one brief glance, midway through the first course. Encouraged by this, he’d smiled at her only to have her avert her eyes in haste.
“Miss Gordon looks unwell, I heard she had been ill. Is it the leg still?” Lord Conner asked as they were served a course of white soup.
“I am uncertain. My daughter told me poor Miss Gordon has been feeling under the weather much of the day, hence her failure to appear at the Yule log lighting,” Lady Balwick replied by way of explanation.
“Ah yes, Lady Conner told me she was to keep an eye on the young lady tonight, hence the seating arrangement I believe?”
Lady Balwick nodded and dabbed the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief.
“Indeed, Lord Lincester thought it wise to have his daughter seated near Lady Conner. Lord Conner, I hope you know the entire family is grateful to your wife for acting as chaperone to my niece, given that she does not have a mother.”
Lord Conner nodded, “Given the close relations between our families it is only natural that we band together.” He stopped and turned his head to Isolde’s direction. “I do hope she recovers soon. Poor dear.”
She looked unwell indeed. Jonathan found himself worried sick for her. Her eyes were red and her face pale, but not from the crushed pearl powder many ladies liked to use to achieve such a complexion. No, she was pale by nature. As though she’d spent the entire day crying.
Is it her leg, I wonder? She appeared much improved last we spoke. It must’ve given her quite a lot of pain if she missed the decorating of the house. Or is it due to the events of last night? The thought of a marriage to Mister Downey? And why will she not look at me? Surely, she would know upon looking at my face that something wonderful has happened. But she will not even do that.
He noted that during dinner she conversed only with her father and Lady Conner. She also appeared to be utterly captivated by her food, for all she did was stare at her plate, course after course. Jonathan found himself barely eating anything, for his attention was entirely taken up by Isolde.
Once dinner had passed, the entire party retired to the drawing room and gathered around the beautiful Yule log which roared in the fireplace. Isolde sat on the settee closest to the fire, surrounded by her two best friends.
Jonathan cleared his throat and straightened his cravat before approaching them, a feeling of apprehension running throughout his body.
“Miss Gordon,” he approached her. “May I have a word with you?”
She rose, lifting her chin and faced him, but the expression he saw did not cheer him. No. Her eyes were cold and she stared at him not with the warmth she usually reserved for him. She looked at him as she would a stranger.
“I am rather unwell Your Grace, can it not wait?”
He stood, his lips slightly parted, as he looked for words which would not come. Instead it was once again Miss Brown who addressed him.
“Your Grace, Miss Gordon has been unwell all day. She is not in any condition to provide suitable company for any one but her closest friends. In fact, we were in the process of escorting her back to her chambers so she may rest. Perhaps whatever business you had to talk to her about you can take up with her Brother or her Father who are just across the room, as you can well see.”
She pursed her lips as she glared at him, evidently wanting him to leave. Jonathan was not quite ready to do so just yet.
“Miss Gordon, please,” he addressed her once more, aware that his voice was full of desperation and confusion.
When she looked at him at last it was with fury in her eyes which was worse than what he had seen there before.
“Your Grace, someone once told me that I should stand up for myself. So I will stand up for myself now. I do not care for your company. I do not care to converse with you. I do not care to be anywhere near you now or in the future, and you no longer need to pretend as though you care for me. Now, if you would please leave me, I would rather spend this joyous evening in the company of those who truly love me and truly care for me.”
She spoke quietly but her voice quivered with an undercurrent of rage which took him by surprise. She rose, followed by her friends who linked their arms with her, forming a unit.
Together the three of them walked past Jonathan. Isolde looking straight ahead, while Miss Henrietta purposely avoiding his eyes, and Miss Brown glared at him once more.
Jonathan was left to stand in the drawing room by the fire, totally perplexed and his heart crushed, for he understood that the woman he loved more than he had ever loved anybody in his life had just told him she no longer wish to be associated with him. In any way.
He balled his hands into fists, wishing for anger to overtake him, but it did not. Instead of rage, a veil of darkness fell upon his consciousness, wrapping him in utter sadness. Sadness he had not felt since he had learned of the death of his father.
He could do nothing but look on as the woman he had wished to make his wife left the room, leaving him behind to ponder the sudden turn of events.
Chapter 25
Isolde spent the rest of the evening in her room. She craved sleep, for sleep would allow her to escape. It would free her from this world she was trapped in, that had become so unbearable over the past few days. She knew sleep would bring sweet relief, at least for a few hours. Yet, it would not come.
Isolde spent the night lying awake, aware that Jonathan was sleeping in a chamber not far from hers. She hoped that Jonathan would remain at Chesterton Court after Christmas Day and not return to Roselawn, although she suspected he would join them once more.
Oh, what a fool she had been to think that someone like Jonathan would truly fall for someone like her.
What a cake I have made out of myself. Everybody will be laughing at me, even more so than before. What shall I do? I cannot remain here! I’ll be the laughingstock of the entire county. I’ve been so naïve as to think that someone like the richest, most influential, highest-ranking peer in the region would fall for me. Me. Isolde Gordon. The plainest girl of all.
By the time daylight seeped into her room, she had no more tears left to cry. The feeling of sadness and despair was still there but she had no more energy to invest in tears. She was utterly exhausted.
She badly wanted to spend the day hidden away in her chamber. But she could not miss the festivities for a second day in a row. Her father would not allow it. While their guests may believe she was unwell due to her leg, her father knew well enough that she had quite recovered.
No, she wou
ld have to get up, get dressed, and walk to church with the entire party. There she’d have to sit through the service, walk home, and then attend the dinner. Perhaps after that she would be able to escape to the solitude of her chambers.
She had to admit, if it were not for Olivia and Henrietta, she would not know how to make it through the day. She was unspeakably grateful for her friends and for their strength, especially Olivia. The way she had stood up to Jonathan had been inspiring. Inspiring enough for Isolde to find herself telling him exactly what she had been thinking all day. She knew it had surprised him. It had surprised her too.
There had been a part of her that had wanted to raise her voice as she spoke to him, so that everyone in the room would hear what he had done, and how he had played with her feelings all in the name of winning a wager. Yet, she’d not done so for it would cause embarrassment to not only him, but her as well.
A Mistletoe Match For The White Duchess (Historical Regency Romance) Page 22