by Jen Turano
“You’ve given me quite the fright.”
“I’m sure I have, and I am sorry about that, Father.”
“You ran away.”
Isadora glanced to the duke, then back to her father. “Can you blame me?”
Frederick smiled. “Not at all, and do know that I’ll be having a long chat with that mother of yours about the circumstances leading up to your flight.”
“She is your wife, if you’ve forgotten, not merely my mother.”
“I might have forgotten, but further conversation about that needs to wait.” Frederick nodded to Jonathon. “You mind helping me get this man and his cohorts to a police station?”
Jonathon smiled. “It would be my pleasure, and along the way, allow me to tell you all about your daughter’s role as a household manager.”
“What is a household manager?” Frederick asked.
“Well, you see, sir, no one actually knows. Especially your daughter.” Sending her a grin along with a wink, Jonathon began moving toward the men on the ground, stopping when an entire swarm of policemen suddenly entered the room. With one word from Frederick, with whom all of them were familiar, they didn’t hesitate to begin securing the duke and his men, ignoring the threats the duke was now spewing with rapid intensity.
Frederick looked to Ian. “I’m still going to go down to the station to ascertain no one allows the duke to escape. You’ll see my girl home, as well as Beatrix?”
“Of course.”
When Ian took hold of her hand, she didn’t protest, grinning at Beatrix, who was looking at their entwined hands with a raised brow. Holding out her other hand to her dearest friend, Isadora turned her back on the duke and strode away from a man she never wanted to see again. She felt Ian squeeze her hand, and with Beatrix on her other side, she made her way off the boat, down the dock, and toward what she was remarkably certain was now going to be a most splendid future.
Two hours later, sitting with Daisy on her lap and Violet and Prim pressed up against either side of her, with Henry at her feet, Isadora gazed around the drawing room, not quite certain how it had happened that she’d been snatched from a most dreadful fate and reunited with the ones she loved.
The children had been ecstatic to see her, not allowing her to get a single apology out about leaving without a proper good-bye as they’d hugged her tightly with their little arms, Henry informing her that he was never letting her out of his sight again.
“Elmer!” Daisy suddenly yelled, lifting her head from where she’d been leaning it against Isadora’s shoulder as she pointed toward the door.
Sure enough, Elmer was running through the doorway, looking remarkably ruffled as Uncle Amos suddenly strode into the room, holding a basket and looking somewhat sheepish. “We forgot her in the carriage.”
“Should I ask what a chicken is doing in my drawing room?” Hester said to no one in particular.
“It’s clearly a pet,” Frederick said. “And no, you’re not going to demand it’s taken outside.”
Hester drew herself up, but then she suddenly seemed to deflate right before Isadora’s eyes. “You always wanted a pet, and I never let you have one.” And then, to Isadora’s amazement, her mother released a sob and fled from the room.
“I’ll be right back,” she said, setting Daisy on her feet and heading after Hester.
“Mother, wait,” she called, having to break into a bit of a trot when Hester seemed to increase her pace.
She finally caught up with her in the green room, her mother’s favorite room in the house and the place Hester always retreated to whenever she was upset.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, moving to stand next to her mother by the floor-to-ceiling window.
“My foolishness could have seen you married to a man who might have murdered you someday.”
“True, but it’s not as if you were acting any differently from all the other societal mothers. I will say, though, that I do hope you’ll abandon your lofty goals for me because I, no matter how much you may desire it, won’t be marrying a man with a title.”
“Of course your mother will abandon those goals,” Frederick said, striding into the room and drawing Isadora’s attention. “She’s not going to have much choice in the matter since I’ve decided she won’t be participating in the New York high season this year and may not participate in the season for years to come.”
Hester dashed a tear from her face and lifted her chin. “I most assuredly will be participating in the season, and I don’t like you telling me what to do.”
“You’ll listen to what I have to say, Hester, if you want any chance of making our marriage work. I’m willing to give us that chance, which is why I’m going to suggest that you, instead of enjoying the coming season, travel with me to Europe to visit our sons, and then bring them home.”
“But I don’t like to sail.”
“You used to love to sail, back in the days when we actually liked each other, before I became consumed with business and you became consumed with society. That’s why I want us to bring our boys home. It’s time for them to take over the family business, something I’ve been reluctant to give up until now. But that, my dear, will allow us time to rediscover each other and hopefully reclaim the love we did, at one time, have for each other.”
When her mother got a rather sappy look on her face, one Isadora had never seen in her life, she quickly excused herself and, if she wasn’t much mistaken, the moment she quit the room she thought her father might have drawn her mother into his arms and kissed her.
Smiling at that odd turn of events, Isadora walked back to the drawing room, arching a brow when everyone in that room—Ian, Aunt Birdie, Uncle Amos, Beatrix, Miss Olive, Jonathon, Prim, Henry, Violet, Daisy, and even Elmer—turned her way.
“Should I ask?” was all she could think to say.
Henry stepped forward and puffed out his little chest. “We’ve got things to tell you, Izzie, so you might want to sit down and get comfortable.”
Not quite able to hide a grin, Isadora sat down on a settee next to Beatrix, turning her attention back to Henry. “I’m listening.”
“We’ve come to bring you home,” he began. “And we’re not taking no for an answer.”
“How delightful.”
“Oh.” Henry grinned. “I thought you might make it trickier, seeing as how this is your home and it’s pretty nice, ’specially the nursery your mother showed us.”
“My mother showed you the nursery?”
“She did,” Prim said. “And she’s having some of your dolls packed up to go home with me, Violet, and Daisy, as long as that’s all right with you.”
“I’d love for you to have my dolls.”
“We’re not here to talk dolls,” Henry said, rolling his eyes. “I wasn’t done tellin’ you why we want to take you home.”
Isadora fought another grin. “Go on.”
Henry looked to Aunt Birdie, who sent him a nod before he looked back to Isadora. “Aunt Birdie says home is where your heart is, and we think your heart is with us. So we want you to come home. But that’s all I’m supposed to say, and now it’s Ian’s turn.” Henry waved Ian forward, and Ian moved to stand in front of Isadora, giving Henry’s hair a ruffle.
“We made him practice on the train ride here what he’s supposed to say,” Prim said before Ian could speak, earning a wink from him in return.
“They were quite the critics,” he said as her parents walked into the drawing room, Hester’s cheeks a lovely shade of pink.
Isadora couldn’t help but notice that her father was holding her mother’s hand, but before she could think more on that encouraging sign, Ian cleared his throat.
“If the two of you would find a seat, I’ll get on with matters before Henry ends up taking over and saying everything to your daughter I’m supposed to say.”
Hester and Frederick were sitting down in a blink of an eye, watching Ian a little warily, but smiling at him at the same time. “You may con
tinue,” Hester said with a regal nod.
Ian returned the nod and moved to stand closer to Isadora. Blowing out a breath, he smiled. “Before I begin with what the children and I decided I should say, I do have a few matters of business to discuss.”
Isadora frowned. “You want to discuss business now?”
“Indeed, because there are things I’ve decided to change, and you need to be apprised of those changes and agree to them before I move on to what the children believe is the good stuff.”
Isadora found herself intrigued, as well as knowing she had to let him say his piece before he got on with the good stuff, which was something she was beginning to think might very well change her life forever. “I’m listening.”
“I’ve decided I’m no longer going to represent the mill owners and investors, instead offering my legal services and ability to negotiate fair contracts for the men who actually work in the mills.”
“I would expect nothing less.”
Ian blinked. “Ah, well, that was easy, but offering my legal services to those men will mean living in Shadyside, since it’s close to Pittsburgh.”
“I love your house in Shadyside, and I’ve got some wonderful ideas about how to finish furnishing and decorating it.”
“I didn’t know you liked decorating,” Hester said, retreating into silence when little Violet put a finger to her lips.
“Also,” Ian continued after he sent Violet a grin, “as you might recall, I’m in the process of purchasing quite a few farms that surround Glory Manor.”
“I remember.”
“Well, some of those farmers still want to work their land, which I told them they’re more than welcome to do. But a few of the farmers want to move to a warmer climate, so . . . I’m buying sheep to graze on one of the farms.”
Isadora nodded. “Because Maggie has a woman in mind who enjoys raising sheep, and that woman needs a job.”
Ian’s brows drew together. “Well, yes, but I don’t want you to believe I’m buying sheep simply because I’m an overly generous sort. There’s much profit to be made with sheep, and . . .”
“Having a flock of sheep will also create a need for additional workers, and Maggie did say there are many people anxious for work in Canonsburg,” Isadora finished for him.
Ian frowned. “I’m trying to paint you a picture of the man I truly am so that you’ll not experience any surprises in the future.”
“I’m of the belief Izzie already knows the man you truly are, so you might want to move things along,” Beatrix spoke up.
Isadora sent her friend a grin. “My sentiments exactly.”
Ian shook his head and grinned as well. “I’m beginning to understand why the two of you are such fast friends. But I will try and wrap up the rest of what I need to disclose quickly.”
Accepting the round of applause those words evoked, Ian presented everyone with a bow, then returned his attention to Isadora. “Because it seems the matter of the sheep has been put to rest, allow me to address the other plans I have for one of the farms I bought. Miss Norma, a woman you’re going to adore, brought it to my attention that the orphanages in Pittsburgh are overcrowded. That’s why I’ve decided to build an orphanage on one of the larger farms, which will allow the orphanages in Pittsburgh to have a place to send children when they run out of room.” His gaze seemed to sharpen on her. “I’ve been thinking you’re the woman to organize the planning of the orphanage for me.”
Isadora felt a flash of disappointment sweep through her. “You came all this way to ask me to organize plans for an orphanage?”
“Of course not, but I’m not getting to that until I finish all of my disclosures.”
Her disappointment faded straightaway, and she waved him on. “Fine, disclose away.”
Ian took a single step toward her. “I don’t want your money.”
“Goodness,” Hester breathed, raising a hand to her throat.
“That might be crossing the line,” Isadora began, having a hard time keeping a smile off her face. “I suppose I can agree to that, but you’ll need to understand that my father made arrangements for my fortune to be put into a trust with my name on it years ago. The money is mine, and don’t think for a minute I’m going to hand it over to my brothers.” She smiled. “I’m sure I’ll be able to think of some purpose to put my fortune toward. And since that’s now settled, what else?”
“I don’t know how that can be considered settled because it seems to me as if you’ve still got quite a fortune,” Ian said.
“It’s settled in my mind because you don’t want my money.”
Ian glanced to Uncle Amos. “Do women ever get easier to understand?”
“Nope.”
“How reassuring,” he said with a sigh. “Where was I?”
“Disclosures,” Beatrix provided helpfully.
“Right.” He suddenly began looking rather nervous. “You might find this next disclosure to be one that really does cross the line.”
“Go on.”
“I don’t want to travel in society.”
A lovely warmth began spreading from her toes all the way through her body. She’d all but convinced herself that she’d never know for certain whether Ian appreciated her for herself or whether a part of him had appreciated her social status more. But now, what with his declaration about not wanting to travel in society, she knew she’d been worrying for nothing.
She cleared a throat that had turned constricted. “How delightful because I don’t want to travel in society either.”
He took another single step closer to her. “Are you certain about that? If I need remind you, your life up to this point has centered around New York high society. You’d be giving up a lot if you return with us to Pittsburgh.”
“I won’t be giving up anything, Ian.” She rose from the chair. “I’ve discovered that I don’t want to spend my life attending one ball after another, my only concerns being what I’m going to wear or what new dance steps I’ll need to learn. I have a purpose in Pittsburgh, and I feel useful. I’ll never regret leaving society, not if I have . . .” She stopped talking, not wanting to reveal too much until he finished whatever it was he needed to say.
“Well, good. That’s good” was all he had to say to that, which wasn’t exactly what she’d been expecting, but since he was looking remarkably pleased, she didn’t have the heart to point out that he was an attorney, and good wasn’t exactly the best word an attorney had at his disposal.
“So,” he continued, “I’ve covered my job, the orphanage, the house in Pittsburgh, society, and . . .”
“Remember to tell her about Glory Manor and the children,” Aunt Birdie called out.
“Ah, right.” He nodded. “Aunt Birdie and Uncle Amos are going to help with the orphanage, inviting the children over often so they can fish with Uncle Amos and Aunt Birdie can teach them to cook.”
“And Ian said me and my sisters get to visit Glory Manor all the time,” Henry added. “But just so you know, Uncle Amos says we can keep Buttercup and Elmer with us at the house in Pittsburgh.”
“And there you have it,” Ian said. “I think we’ve covered everything.”
“You didn’t tell her that we decided we’d attend school in Pittsburgh so we wouldn’t miss seeing you during the week when you’re at work,” Prim said.
“Right.” He smiled at Isadora. “It was their idea to live in Pittsburgh but spend as many weekends as we can at Glory Manor.”
“And we’re going to spend time with you in Pittsburgh as well,” Aunt Birdie added. “Amos and I don’t want to miss out on seeing the children grow, so you can expect us to be frequent guests.” She exchanged a smile with her husband. “We’ve decided that the big city isn’t as bad as we thought, and we’re perfectly content to divide our time between the farm and Ian’s home in Shadyside. Although”—she caught Isadora’s eye—“we might not be keen to travel to New York all that often.” She gestured around. “This is a little too big.”
“It can be overwhelming,” Isadora agreed.
“And that, I believe, is everything,” Ian said, glancing around with a look that almost dared anyone else to speak up, his brows drawing together when Beatrix suddenly raised her hand. “You wanted to add something?”
“I just want to say that I think you’re a lovely man, but do know that Izzie is my closest friend, and if you hurt her, I think it should be noted that I’m a better shot than she is.”
Ian inclined his head. “Yes, thank you for that, Beatrix. And now . . . to continue.”
Isadora’s knees began to wobble as he took her hand, kissed it, and smiled.
“The children want me to tell you that they love you.”
Her vision immediately blurred from the tears that were now flooding her eyes. Directing her attention to the children, she summoned up what she knew had to be a wobbly smile. “I love all of you too.”
She turned back to Ian, who reached out and brushed tears from her cheek.
“Should I continue, or do you need a moment?”
“I’m fine, but if you drag this out much longer, the children might stage a revolt.”
The next second, she found him down on one knee, holding a ring up to her.
“I don’t have much else to say except that I love you, Izzie Delafield. When you left, I found that my life didn’t feel whole. If you’d be so kind as to agree to marry me, I promise to love you forever, and I’ll do whatever is in my power to keep you happy, well loved, and safe.”
She raised a hand to her lips, then smiled. “Do you remember when you told me I’d only truly be like Katherina from The Taming of the Shrew if I proclaimed myself madly in love with you, willing to abandon my demanding ways?”
“I thought you were going to punch me after I said that, so yes, I remember.”
Her smile turned into a grin. “I might have been considering punching you, but . . . I do love you madly, although I really can’t promise I’ll never be demanding again.”
Ian was on his feet so fast she barely had a moment to blink.
Slipping the ring he’d been holding onto her finger, he stilled. “You didn’t say yes.”