Dangerous Passions

by Leigh Anderson

  Isoline and the vicar chuckled.

  “How many of the children are yours?” she asked.

  “Oh, only three,” he said. “The boy there, and the twin girls.”

  The boy appeared to be about five and the girls only three. The little family reminded Isoline of her own, which brought a small pang of sadness. She missed her brothers and was sad she was not there for Eunice. She would have to write to them all as soon as she returned home.

  “Let us head inside,” the vicar said. “We should begin soon.”

  Isoline nodded, and she and Bess took seats in a middle pew. Other people, men and woman, gave polite nods, but did not introduce themselves. Just before the sermon began, she saw Tristan enter the building. He gave her a large smile and wave. She gave him a demure smile and finger wave back and then turned her attention to the vicar.

  The sermon passed quickly, though Isoline couldn’t remember much of it afterward. She was too preoccupied with taking in all the new faces and observing the style of clothes the ladies wore. If she was going to get some new frocks, she wanted make sure to choose some that the other women could have no qualms with.

  As everyone stood to leave, Isoline took her time heading out. She was in no rush and wanted to make herself available should anyone want to make introductions. She stood in line and waited patiently to thank the vicar and his wife for their service.

  “That’s her niece, so I’ve heard,” she heard a woman behind her say, but she did not turn her hear.

  “The Payne dynasty ended the day the last earl married that woman,” another woman said.

  “Shame,” the first woman said. “Thornrush Manor should stand as a beacon for the community, not a mausoleum to one old woman. What can she possibly do up there by herself all day?”

  “Count her money and stare down on the rest of us,” the second woman said, and the two tittered between them.

  Isoline pursed her lips and bit her tongue. It was horrible, the things the women were saying of her aunt, but she didn’t want to make a scene or enemies on her first day in town.

  “Do you think there’s any truth in what they say?” a third woman who had apparently been listening to the conversation as well piped up. “About her having a hand in the death of Lord Granville?”

  Isoline’s heart froze. How could they so causally accuse her aunt of murdering her husband?

  “Probably,” one of the other women—Isoline had lost track of who was saying what—said. “She never remarried though. What’s the point of doing one husband in if you don’t have another one waiting in the wings?”

  The three laughed as though they shared a great joke.

  “Miss Beresford!” the vicar said, breaking into Isoline’s thoughts. She had been so busy eavesdropping on the vile conversation behind her, she hadn’t realized she was now at the front of the line. “I do hope you enjoyed yourself.”

  Isoline forced a smile to her face. “Of course,” she said. “Very inspirational.”

  “I am afraid we already have plans for supper today,” he said. “But perhaps next week you could join us for a meal afterward.”

  She looked at the kind and earnest faces of the vicar and his wife and nodded. She couldn’t let the gossip of a few biddies ruin the wonderful day she’d had so far and stop her from enjoying time with the new friends she had made.

  “I look forward to it,” Isoline said.

  As she exited the church and stood in the sun, she took a deep breath to calm herself and clear her mind.

  “Cousin Isoline!” Tristan called out. He must have been waiting for her to exit the church because he was instantly by her side.

  “Oh!” she said, surprised. “How nice to see you again, Tristan.”

  “May I walk you to your carriage?” he asked, holding out his hand.

  She nodded and placed her hand in his. She immediately felt eyes on her as several church members watched Tristan escort her across the yard. She felt her stomach drop. She was certain that everyone would suddenly think Tristan was courting her, and she had no way to squash such an assumption. She would have to clarify things with the vicar the next weekend when they ate together.

  “I am so glad to see you here today,” Tristan said. “I have missed your company.”

  “We are friends,” Isoline said. “You needn’t fear making a social call occasionally.” She almost immediately regretted her words as Tristan’s eyes lit up.

  “I will do that,” he said. “How about tomorrow? I will see you then, dear cousin!” He didn’t wait for her response before he kissed the back of her hand and then verily skipped back across the yard to stand with a few other gentlemen who no doubt who congratulate him on his “fine catch.”

  She shook her head and nearly felt sick as she climbed into the carriage.

  “Are you all right, miss?” Bess asked. “You seemed to have turned a bit green.”

  “No,” Isoline said. “I’m not all right.” She shook her head and again and dropped it into her hand, about to cry.

  “Mrs. Yardly,” Bess said. “Her husband is having an affair with a viscount’s wife in York. Everyone knows it.” Isoline looked up at her confused, but Bess continued. “And Lady Winchester, she can’t have a child of her own. She’s right bitter about it. You should hear the things she said when the vicar’s wife came home with twins. Venom she was spitting.”

  “Who are you…?” Isoline started to ask, but Bess predicted her question.

  “The women behind us who were speaking ill of Lady Granville,” she said. “Miserable, the lot of them. So they don’t have anything nice to say about anyone. Makes them feel superior.”

  Isoline reached over and squeezed Bess’s hand. She gave her a small smile and wiped the dampness from the edges of her eyes.

  “Don’t fret over old rumors, miss,” Bess continued. “The countess has long stopped giving them a second thought.”

  “Thank you, Bess,” Isoline said.

  Chapter Nine

  The next day, true to his word, Tristan called, bright and early. Isoline had only finished her breakfast and was getting ready for her walk when Talbot announced his arrival.

  “Dear Cousin!” Tristan said as he walked over and gripped her hands in his. He continued to hold them as he made his way to the couch, forcing her to sit next to him instead of across. “I am so glad you invited me to call.”

  “Well, we are family, and friends. It’s an open invitation,” she said as she pried her fingers loose and motioned to Talbot for tea. She was certain his smile quivered at the word “friend,” but she ignored it.

  “Did you enjoy the sermon yesterday?” he asked.

  She couldn’t remember the details but nodded nonetheless. “Of course,” she said.

  “All that talk about love and eternity,” he said. “It certainly makes you think, does it not?”

  “God’s love and heavenly eternity are certainly deep thoughts for contemplation,” she said, determined not to let the conversation travel in the direction he so clearly wanted it to.

  “Yes…yes, of course,” he said. “But certainly, it also makes you think about life here and now.”

  “Not really,” Isoline said, exasperated. “I just take life day to day. I’m very happy here, caring for my aunt and spending time with myself. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

  “Spending time with yourself?” he asked with a huff. “Or spending time with a certain vagrant who leeches off of our Aunt Bellamira.”

  “I don’t know what you are talking about,” she said, crossing her arm. Had he been spying on her? Watching her? How did he know she had seen Auberon again?

  “Don’t you?” he asked as he stood and went to the fireplace. He then turned back to her. “I’m only trying to protect you, Isoline.”

  She stood and took a few steps away, glad of the distance between them. “And I don’t recall asking for your protection.”

  “I suppose I should have left you in the rain, sobbing and drench
ed,” he said.

  “If I had known it would lead to this I certainly wish you would have,” she snapped back.

  “What?” he asked. “Led to me loving you? You ungrateful—”

  “Loving me?” she guffawed. “You don’t know me. I don’t know a thing about you, except that you don’t listen. I told you that I was only interested in your friendship.”

  “Come now, cousin,” he said. “We both know that our relationship has developed way beyond that.”

  “What relationship?” she asked, exasperated. “I can count on one hand how many times we have spoken.”

  “But if it is love at first sight—” he started, taking a brisk step toward her.

  She stepped back, keeping her hands well out of reach. “It’s not love!” she exclaimed, startled by the volume of her own voice.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Bellamira demanded as she entered the room. “I swear I can hear the two of you bickering all the way up in my rooms. Makes me glad I never had children of my own.”

  “I am so sorry, aunt,” Isoline said rushing to her side. “I never wish to disturb you.”

  “Nor I, aunt,” Tristan said as he smoothed his hair back. “Isoline and I were just having an…impassioned discussion.”

  “If that is how you discuss things,” Bellamira said, “I should hate to know how you fight.”

  “I would never fight with dear Isoline,” Tristan said with a cool grace that only made Isoline more angry. “I simply declared my feelings for her and I think she may have been overcome with emotion.”

  “I am not emotional,” Isoline said, clenching her fists. It was taking all of her energy to keep from screaming once again. “Well, maybe I am upset, but only because you refuse to listen to me. I know what I am saying.”

  “Declare your emotions?” Bellamira asked, her mouth curled in only what Isoline could describe as disgust. “What is going on here?”

  “I’m in love with Isoline,” Tristan declared without hesitation. “She is all I think about and I wish to court her with a view to marriage.”

  “But…but you’ve only just met,” Bellamira said in surprise.

  “I have known from the moment I found her in the rain,” he said with a sigh. “I know it might not have happened as quickly for her. I accept that. I only ask that she allow me to court her so that in time she may too realize her love for me.”

  “And you, Isoline?” Bellamira asked. “Are you open to this…this whirlwind courtship your cousin has proposed?”

  “No,” Isoline said firmly. “I don’t want to be courted by anyone. I only ever offered Tristan my friendship and familial affection, nothing more. I came here to be with you auntie, not to find a husband. You will recall that the whole reason I am here is because I called off an engagement. I have no wish to be married.”

  “So what is the problem?” Bellamira asked, turning back to Tristan. “You proposed a courtship and Isoline said no. What is all the fuss about?”

  “B-because…” he stammered, as though shocked Bellamira did not see things his way. “She only needs to give me a chance to earn her love.”

  “I don’t think Isoline would agree,” Bellamira said. “Perhaps in time, Isoline might change her mind, but not with you badgering her and stomping around like some sort of bull elephant.”

  Isoline couldn’t help but chuckle at her aunt’s description, which was quite spot on, but it seemed to only irritate Tristan further.

  “Grand-Auntie,” Tristan pleaded. “You must see that I only have Isoline’s best interest at heart. If you could only persuade her—”

  “Tristan, dear nephew,” Bellamira cut in raising her hand to stop him from speaking further. “I will do no such thing. I am not her mother, and even if I were, she is not a child. She is a young woman with her own mind. And if she uses that mind to make a decision, neither you nor I should waste our energy trying to change it. I think you should go.”

  Tristan’s face grew red and he pressed his lips to keep from railing at his aunt. Isoline held her breath, afraid he was not going to take their aunt’s words to heart. But finally, he did. He stormed out of the room, and both Isoline and Bellamira waited until they heard the front door close before they exhaled again.

  “Oh, auntie,” Isoline whimpered as she sunk to the couch.

  Bellamira waved her off as she asked Talbot for a fresh pot of tea to calm their nerves. “That boy has always been rather spoiled. Doted on by his mother. So demanding of his father. Both of his sisters married quite young—too young—largely I think to get away from him. He has calmed down in recent years, mostly since his parents died and he had to take care of himself. And he has been an amiable companion to me, he helps me keep the accounts, and he visits regularly, but I am not of courting age,” she said with a wry chuckle.

  Isoline smiled but was unable to find the humor in the situation at the moment. She did wonder why Tristan had spent so much time over the years with Bellamira and not looking for a wife. Surely there were available young ladies in town, or he could have found one in London during the season.

  She thought about what Royston, her brother, had said about Bellamira’s fortune. That she had never, in all her years, named an heir. Perhaps he was in a similar boat as Isoline, trying to ingratiate himself with the elderly relative in the hopes of securing a fortune. Maybe he saw Isoline as some sort of threat to plans he had been working toward for so long. She didn’t think he needed it, though. He had a modest estate of his own. Maybe that wasn’t it. Maybe he did love her. She shook her head. She had no way of knowing his true motives and she didn’t want to find them out. She just wanted him to leave her alone.

  “I am…proud of you, Isoline,” Bellamira said as though she knew she shouldn’t say it but couldn’t help herself.

  “Proud?” Isoline asked. “Of what?”

  Bellamira sat thoughtfully for a moment before she explained. “When I was a girl, we didn’t have a choice in these matters. It wasn’t, ‘darling, would you like to marry Lord Granville?’ It was, ‘next month, darling, you are to marry Lord Granville.’ I had never even met him before. And he was twice my age! But there was nothing I could do about it. It was expected of me. Of all the girls back then. Of course, we dreamed of love and romance, but we knew it didn’t really exist for us.”

  Isoline nodded sorrowfully. Such marriages without choice were still common. That Isoline’s father had allowed her to call off her marriage to Cyril was in many ways a very modern attitude. One many fathers would not tolerate.

  “You might think that I had a good life, an easy one when you look at this large house and beautiful pieces of art,” Bellamira went on. “But believe me, my girl, I paid for them in their own way. Every last one of them.”

  Bellamira’s face had grown hard, defiant, angry, yet there was hurt behind her eyes. Isoline had no wish to ask what a young Bellamira had suffered at the hands of her husband, but she did not need to know. Bellamira’s face said enough. Lord Granville had been a cruel man. After enduring such a marriage, it was no surprise that Bellamira never remarried. She had probably had more than enough of men after that.

  “I’m proud of you, my darling,” Bellamira said, “because you knew marrying that little lord was the wrong decision. You stood up for yourself and said damn to the consequences. You had no idea I would open my home to you. You could have ended up in a nunnery, or worse, but you didn’t give in. And just now, with Tristan, it would be a good match. If you father knew about the offer, he would be quite glad of it, I’m sure. But no. You stayed firm in your resolve. You were very brave.”

  Bellamira’s gushing adoration nearly brought tears to Isoline’s eyes again, but not in sadness. She rushed to her aunt’s side and gave her a tight hug.

  “Thank you, dear auntie,” Isoline said.

  “Now, there, there,” Bellamira said, patting her back and then pushing her away gently. “Enough of that. How about a game of cards before luncheon?”

  B
y mid-afternoon, Bellamira was exhausted, so she went to her apartments to lay down. Isoline never did get to take her daily walk because a summer storm rolled in with thunder and a gentle rain. Isoline decided she should resume her exploration of the house. She could not explain why the similar portraits of her and her grand-aunt had disturbed her so. It was quite common for people who were related to each other to look similar. If anything, she should be honored to look so like her dear auntie.

  She went back to the second floor and entered a room she had not been in before. This one appeared to be an office, with a large desk sitting in front of a window and several shelves of books. There were still many pieces of art to be found, but not as many as she had seen in some of the other rooms.

  As she examined the art, she actually found several pieces she quite admired. One appeared to be a quite simple rendering of a black horse on a white background in some sort of oriental style. But as she looked closer, she realized that she was not looking at a painting, but an exquisitely detailed piece of embroidery. She knew she had to have it. She also found a painting of a knight kissing his beloved lady as he slipped out a window. It was quite scandalous, but she could not ignore the beauty of the piece and decided to set it aside for herself as well. Another piece she adored was of an elegantly dressed man and woman who appeared to be in animated discussion. “Beatrice and Benedict,” the piece was called, and she laughed at the thought of an artist capturing the classic couple as they tossed verbal barbs at each other.

  She quickly realized that she was already collecting too many pieces. If she found this many in one room, how many more would she find in the others? She needed to make a list of the ones she liked and where in the house they could be found. Then, when Auberon called, he could help her decide which pieces to move to her room.

  She decided she needed some paper and a pencil, and she would make a list of all the rooms and the pieces she favored in each one. As she walked over to the desk, the rain, heavier now, patted on the window. She looked out and thought she saw someone, a man, standing in the rain looking up at her.