The Wrong Woman (Unexpected Love #1)

by Kimberly Truesdale

  “All right... Miles,” Isobel said. The name felt too intimate.

  They lapsed into an uneasy silence. The moment felt much longer than it must have been. Isobel was incapable of thinking a single coherent thought.

  Finally, Miles spoke and relieved the tension.

  “I am very glad to hear that you are recovering, Miss Masters.” He still did not look at her.

  “Isobel, please. I am also in the habit of being addressed informally in this house.”

  He raised his eyes to hers as he gave an unexpected chuckle. It made her heart beat still faster. “Just so. But you are recovering?”

  “Oh yes. The doctor says that I shall regain my strength soon and be able to travel back to my family.”

  “Yes... and your shoulder? Does it pain you?”

  “Only slightly. And only when I try to move it too much. But the doctor again says that I shall regain the movement of it and, with some little exercise, it should be as if it never happened.”

  Isobel smiled at him, but he was looking toward the window with pain on his face.

  “Lord Rev – Miles? Is everything all right?”

  He recalled himself. “Yes, I am sorry.” He sat straighter in the chair and focused his attention on a new topic. “I am not sure how much Cat has told you about the situation with Davenport?”

  “Not much, frankly. And I have been too preoccupied to ask her or Aunt Hetty about it.”

  “Of course.” He paused. Isobel thought he was considering whether or not he should tell her anything.

  “But, I would like to hear about it,” she prompted.

  “Oh.” He nodded. “Well... While you were... ill... police officers took our evidence of that night. They have Davenport in custody. He is scheduled for a trial... this afternoon, in fact.”

  “And were you not needed to give evidence?”

  “It was not requested of me today.”

  “Oh. But I am sure you would rather be at home with your family now than in town waiting to give evidence... winter is drawing closer to us.”

  “I wish to be here,” he was firm and the passion made her heart skip a beat. “I am glad to be here now,” Miles continued, “in case I am needed.”

  “Yes,” Isobel said. They fell into another long silence. “And what will happen to Mr. Davenport?”

  “The officers have said that he will be prosecuted fully. They cannot say what will happen to him. He is a gentleman, so he has some means to help himself.”

  “His punishment will be harsh?” Isobel was concerned.

  “Perhaps.”

  “But he will not die?” She was suddenly horrified to think that a man would die because of her.

  “Perhaps he will.” Miles sounded cold and unfeeling.

  “But... that is not right!” Isobel was growing distressed.

  “What do you mean?” Miles leaned forward on the chair and looked directly at her. “He must be punished. He kidnapped you and then shot you. And he killed another man.”

  “I... I do not think he meant to do it. He was distracted, not a sane man,” Isobel argued. “How can I condemn another person to death?”

  “I do not understand this,” Miles looked at her with confusion on his face. “How can you defend the man? He shot you. He almost killed you.”

  “But I am still alive and he does not deserve to die for that. Surely there is something else that may be done.”

  Miles looked away, shaking his head. “I suppose he might be transported or locked away for a time.”

  “So long as he is not killed. Not because of me. I could not bear that.”

  Miles did not answer. Yet another uncomfortable silence fell, until Isobel decided to change the subject.

  “And you... Miles... how have you been?” Each moment created more distance between them.

  He looked at Isobel carefully. She felt that he was examining her features. The attention brought a hot flush across her face and made her conscious of how badly she must look. Isobel dropped her eyes to her lap.

  “I have been well, thank you... Isobel.” Her name on his lips only reminded her of that kiss, when he had whispered so close to her. She tried to put the thought from her mind.

  “I understand that you have done much for my sister and my aunt while I have been ill.”

  “It was nothing.”

  “Of course it was not nothing,” Isobel protested. “I am very grateful to you for your help.”

  “I was glad – am glad – to offer my help.”

  “Thank --”

  “Anything you need,” Miles interrupted. He spoke in an urgent tone. Isobel glanced at his face. He was looking intently at her.

  “Thank you. But... I am sure you have many things to do.”

  “No.” She heard laughter in his voice. “I have nothing to do at the moment.”

  “I can hardly believe that.” The unexpected return of his lighter humor put Isobel more at ease. She grew less shy of looking at him now. “You must have many things to occupy your time.”

  “Well, lately I have been reading extensively,” he smiled, as at some thought she did not share.

  “Oh yes? And what reading have you done?” Isobel found relief in this innocuous subject.

  He paused and dropped his eyes to his lap. His mood seemed to have grown unexpectedly serious again. “I have had occasion to read Miss Austen's Pride and Prejudice.”

  “A particular favorite of mine!” Isobel exclaimed. It had the effect of drawing a smile out of her visitor.

  “And I have also read The Corsair through at least twice.”

  “The Corsair? Miles, I believe you have raided my own small stack of well-loved volumes. That is one of my favorite poems.”

  “I remembered that you mentioned it... that afternoon in the grand hall.” The last was uttered almost reverently.

  He remembered that? Isobel stared at Miles as he sat there in the chair. He sat straight up. She wished he would relax and feel comfortable in this room here with her. How could she find out what he was thinking? What he felt? There seemed suddenly so much to say and no way to tell him.

  The silence descended again. A few times Miles raised his eyes to meet hers. But he quickly dropped them. Was he ashamed of what he must see in her eyes? Why did he not say something?

  For all that she wanted him to speak, it came as a surprise when he finally did. Miles rose quickly from the chair.

  “Isobel, I fear that I have overstayed my welcome. I must go now.”

  “But --” Isobel held up her hand to stop him. The proximity of the chair to her bed meant that her hand was not far from his as he stood there and looked down at her. Time froze as their eyes locked, holding everything in limbo between them. Isobel felt that she could not move. What's more, she did not wish to move.

  Slowly, Miles dropped his gaze to the hand that she held out. His hand moved toward hers as if through water, slowly and fluidly moving closer to her fingertips. Still, she could not move.

  Just as his fingers began to touch hers, the heat of him so close, he pulled away, clenching his hand into a fist. He dropped his hand to his side and gave her a small bow.

  “Goodbye, Isobel.”

  He was out of the room before she could speak out to stop him.

  Chapter 27

  Cat knew right away that something was wrong. Miles practically stomped into the parlor where Cat and Jack were preparing to make themselves comfortable while Miles and Izzy got on with it.

  So it surprised them both to see Miles again so soon and in such a temper. He issued a curt goodbye to Cat and hastily left the room. Jack followed him closely, turning briefly to shrug in Cat's direction.

  What in heaven's name is going on? Cat thought as she rushed upstairs to Izzy's room.

  “Izzy?” Cat put her head in the open door, apprehensive about what she might find.

  “Hmm?” Izzy raised her eyebrows and looked toward her sister. She was sitting in the bed where Cat had left her.


  “What's happened?”

  “Nothing at all.” Izzy gave an unconvincing smile.

  “But Miles just stomped out of here, clearly agitated about something... what happened?”

  “Our conversation was amiable. I can't imagine why he would have been agitated about anything.”

  “Izzy!” Cat plopped down on the bed beside her sister. “Tell me what happened between the two of you.”

  “I am telling you, Cat,” Izzy patted her sister's hand. “I am telling you that nothing happened between us except a very polite conversation. What did you expect to happen, my dear?”

  “That you would tell him you loved him, of course!”

  “Cat!” Izzy exclaimed. “Even if that were true, why on earth would I say anything about it to him?”

  “I know you love him, so why not tell him? He loves you, too, you know.”

  “You are mistaken, sister. He could never love me.” Izzy spoke softly.

  Cat rolled her eyes. “Izzy, don't be daft.”

  “I'm not. He did not speak a word of love to me. His manner was calm and reserved. He did nothing to indicate that his visit was more than a polite call. So that is all the answer I need. My feelings are inconsequential.”

  “Of course they are not!” Cat whined. “And you are wrong about Miles. He does love you, but he is apparently as stubborn as you are and will not tell you of his feelings. I guess I should have known...” Cat trailed off, thinking of ways to remedy the disastrous situation. Why did both Miles and Izzy have to be so pigheaded about declaring that they liked each other.

  “Should have known what?” Izzy broke into Cat's thoughts.

  “Hmmm? Oh,” Cat said, realizing what Izzy was talking about. “I should have realized how stubborn he was when he refused to leave the house until he had taken a turn watching at your bedside.” Cat waited for her sister's reaction.

  “What?” Izzy gasped.

  “Did he not tell you?” Cat nearly laughed with glee. There is hope yet!

  “Tell me what? I have heard nothing of this, Cat.” Izzy looked at her intently

  Cat shook her head. “So stubborn.”

  “Explain this, please.” Izzy buzzed with nervous energy.

  “Miles came every afternoon to see you, Izzy.”

  “He did?”

  “Yes, he insisted on it. And he begged that he should be able to relieve Aunt Hetty and myself for at least a few hours everyday so that we might rest or take care of household business. He said that he was useless unless he could do something to help. He spent hours reading to you.”

  Izzy's mouth hung open in astonishment.

  “And you did not suspect?” Cat asked, bewildered.

  “No, no one has bothered to mention this to me. He said only that he had been reading some books lately.”

  “Oh, really!” Cat rolled her eyes. “I could throttle that man! Yes! He was reading books while he was sitting here next to your bedside!”

  “That would be why he had read so many of my favorite books...”

  “Yes! He was reading from the stack of books on your desk! I am glad that you are finally understanding this.”

  “The Corsair...”

  “Was one of the books he read multiple times. I heard him from the hallway.”

  “Oh.” Izzy had grown quiet.

  “And he did not say anything of this to you?”

  “No, nothing at all.”

  Cat paused for a moment, carefully considering her next words. Izzy must know it all or else she might risk losing the man she should marry.

  “There is more, sister.”

  “More? But you have already astonished me.”

  “Then I am afraid that you must prepare yourself.” Cat lovingly took Izzy's hands in hers. They sat facing each other as Cat told her the rest of what she knew.

  “I do not believe that Miles realizes that I know this about him, so you must use your own discretion, Izzy, if you share what I am about to tell you. But I feel that you must know before you willfully destroy your own happiness.”

  Izzy nodded in acknowledgment.

  “The night of your fever was the worst I have passed in my life.” Cat could not help the tears that rose to her eyes. Izzy squeezed her hands tightly. “I was so afraid for you, afraid that you would leave me. And Aunt Hetty and I were so exhausted with worrying and watching. But then Miles appeared. He took over, said he would watch with you and we should take some rest. I did not know if he meant it, but he promised to rouse me if anything happened. And I was so tired...”

  “Oh, Cat. I am so sorry for all of this.”

  “So I rested while he watched with you. But I could not sleep well and it was only a few hours before I wanted to return to your side. I had not been called and I feared the worst. But when I approached your door... Oh, Izzy!”

  “What?” Her sister was rapt.

  “Before I could enter the room I heard the most heartbreaking noise. Miles was crying over you. Not just tears, sobs, and I swear I heard him call out in prayer. I could not disturb him in his grief, so I waited outside. I don't know how long I was there, but his tears seemed to have no end.”

  “He... cried over me?” Izzy was astonished.

  “Yes, he did. So deeply and long, Izzy, I could not bear it.”

  “For me?” Cat watched her sister's mind work. “But that does not mean he loves me, Cat. Only that he feels guilty and responsible for what happened to me.”

  “Nonsense,” Cat protested. “A man does not break his heart like that over feeling guilty about something. I wish you might have heard him that night, Izzy. You could hardly be so cold toward him now.”

  “I am not being cold. I am only protecting myself.” Izzy was getting frustrated. “I don't know why you're pushing this. He is going to marry you.”

  “No, he is not. I have already refused him,” Cat declared.

  “You what?” Isobel blanched.

  “He asked me out of some misguided obligation and I turned him down. He seemed relieved.”

  “He did?” Isobel could not believe it. Cat watched as her sister tried to reason against it. “Still, sister, he did not say anything to me today. I must assume he doesn’t mean to.”

  “You are both stubborn fools.” Cat made a dissatisfied noise at the back of her throat.

  “Well, this stubborn fool is hungry. Would her sister mind bringing her some food?”

  “Fine. You can dismiss me for the moment, but we will continue this conversation.”

  Before she went to find the requested food, Cat stopped at her desk and scribbled a note to Jack.

  Dear Mr. Shepherd,

  My sister is determined to be stubborn. She does not believe that Miles loves her. You must convince your brother to speak to her again and tell her of his feelings. Were there ever two such fools to deny themselves happiness? I believe we must help them.

  With affection,

  Catherine Masters

  She folded the letter and left it in the hall with the other mail. She hoped that Jack was having more success talking to Miles than she was having talking to Izzy.

  Chapter 28

  “You did speak to her?”

  Miles did not respond to Jack as they climbed the stairs into his house.

  “Miles, you cannot avoid me forever.”

  “I can certainly try,” Miles growled as Watson helped him off with his coat and hat. Without waiting for Jack, Miles stalked into his study and poured himself a drink.

  “I only want to know if you spoke to her, that's all.”

  “Of course I spoke to her. We exchanged quite a number of words,” Miles muttered into his glass.

  “You know that's not what I meant,” Jack protested.

  “I do not wish to speak of it.”

  “Fine. But I will find a way to get this out of you.”

  “And I will find a way to keep refusing you.”

  “That is what you think...” Jack left Miles in blessed peace.r />
  Except it was not peace. He could not cease thinking about what had just passed. In his mind he had seen exactly what he would say to Isobel. He would go into her room and, at her smile, he would declare how much he admired and cared for her. She would fall in his arms, into an embrace like the one they had shared the night of the ball.

  But the reality of what had happened had been so different and confusing. She had not showed any feeling toward him at all.

  And so Miles now sat and brooded, analyzing every detail of their conversation.

  Jack reentered the room.

  “I still refuse to speak to you, brother,” Miles mumbled.

  “That's not good enough, Miles. I will sit here until you talk to me. This is too important and I will not leave it up to you.” Jack planted himself on the sofa opposite where Miles was sitting.

  “It concerns only me, and so you will, indeed, leave me alone.”

  “You are so very wrong, brother. I am sorry to have to tell you that. I have looked up to you for many years now. I've desired to be like you in so many ways. And yet, in this, I think you are entirely mistaken.”

  “I am flattered by your reverence for me,” growled Miles. “But I do not know to what you refer.”

  “I should just let you ruin your own happiness, you know. And I might do, if I did not so much esteem Isobel. She, at least, deserves to be happy, even if you are determined to be miserable.”

  Miles did not answer this.

  “Did you speak to her of your feelings this afternoon, Miles?”

  “I did not.”

  “Why did you not? Could there have been a better time? You love each other and you almost lost her. Would you risk losing her again?”

  His brother was right. But he did not know how hard it was to speak of something like that.

  “Why did you not speak to her, Miles? It is unaccountable!” Jack rose from the sofa in frustration.

  “Jack, you understand nothing of it,” Miles exclaimed with a burst of feeling. He rose and began to pace around the room like a caged cat, unable to rest for all the emotions boiling within him.

  “Then tell me, Miles. Tell me.”