Page 46 of The Wager and the Wedding

She closed her eyes and folded her hands in her lap. “It matters not. I have made my choice and sealed my doom.”

His heart sank at the confirmation of his fears.

“Is this not what you want?” Please let her have seen reason! Lord James was no good for her. Or anyone, really. He wouldn’t wish that man on any lady who lived, no matter how detestable.

“It is exactly what I want.” She twisted the fabric of her skirt in her hands, keeping her eyes closed. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be a countess—the envy of all of England.”

And yet she looked absolutely miserable about it. This was not the face of triumph or satisfaction, and his heart ached for her. If only she could see that he offered so much more, eventhough the other man did have more land and more wealth! Money and power didn’t lead to happiness, and all Martin wanted was to spend the rest of his days making her smile.

A tear dripped down her cheek, and he couldn’t stop himself from reaching up to wipe it from her cheek. “Oh, my love, you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

She stiffened and opened her reddened eyes. “Yes, I do. It’s too late. The wheels have been set in motion.”

Her words cut him like a blade. Itwouldbe exceedingly difficult to walk things back. Words spoken could not be unsaid. But he was far from ready to concede defeat.

“It’s not too late. We’re still married, and he has no power over you. Say the word, and we’ll leave Norfolk on the next ship south. Ulf can see to the repair ofThe Wind Song. We needn’t stay if we don’t want to.”Please, let her say yes!

“And what of my sister?” She looked at him with imploring eyes. Clearly his answer mattered, but what was she looking for beyond an assurance that they would bring her with them?

“She’d come with us, of course. And then when she was well enough, and we were settled in Winchelsea, I’d send her along to Lady Eleanor as planned.”

She stiffened and clenched her fists. What had he said wrong? This had been the plan all along. Far be it from him to interfere with Lady Adelaide’s prospects. No doubt, she would have every advantage at court with Lady Eleanor. Clearly, Isabella had benefitted tremendously from her time with Her Grace. Wasn’t that what she wanted for her sister?

“What is it, my sweet? What aren’t you saying?” Clearly, he was missing something here.

She pursed her lips and shook her head. “I’m going to marry Lord James. You needn’t bother yourself about me anymore. I’ll be off your hands soon enough.”

She stood abruptly and hurried inside the castle without taking her leave.

He’d lost her. God’s bones, he had lost his wife. The world turned gray around him, and his blood thundered in his ears.

No.He was not giving up this easily. There had to be some way to win her back. This wasn’t over until she said her wedding vows with Lord James. He would respect her wishes, but he would fight for her love. She cared for him. He was certain of it. Something was holding her back, and he needed to find out what it was.

It was somehow related to Adelaide. That was when her expression shifted, and her posture went rigid. But how he had blundered, he couldn’t guess. What was he doing except carrying out the orders of the woman Isabella loyally served for years. Was this not what she wanted?

Perhaps a visit to Adelaide’s sick room was in order. Filled with renewed determination, he headed back into the castle.

Chapter Nineteen

Isabella was rightnot to trust Martin. He was going to send Adelaide away at the earliest opportunity. He said it himself. The words pierced her heart like a poison dagger. She should have defended herself better. This was what she got for caving into sentimentality. All along, her mother and Lady Eleanor were right. Love was weakness. If she wanted to keep her sister safe, she couldn’t afford to be weak.

All those moments when she started to fall for him turned bitter, and a lump of outrage lodged itself in her throat. How could she have allowed him to addle her head like this? She should never have let herself to forget who his puppet mistress was. The thought of the kiss they’d shared made her burn with humiliation. Well, she would teach him that she wasn’t so easily swayed.

She needed to find Lord James and convince him to accept her offer before she lost the will to follow through. The man might be loathsome, but at least she knew exactly where she stood with him. There was no danger of her losing her heart to that snake, and she would have no compunctions about manipulating him to her own ends. Adelaide would be safe, and she herself would be a woman of power and position, able to shape her life as she desired.

After a few inquiries, she found Lord James in the stable, preparing for a ride. She paused before entering, some deepinstinct warning her against proceeding with her plan. But it was only her foolish heart, which she had no use for. Isabella de Martillac was made of sterner stuff.

Preparing to enter, she bit her lips and pinched her cheeks to make herself look fresh and rosy. The man had made no secret of his attraction to her. Perhaps she could use that to hasten his decision, much as the thought of him pawing at her made her skin crawl.

As she entered the barn, breathing in the earthy smells of hay and horse manure, it seemed as if even the horses were giving her disapproving stares.Ridiculous.She was imagining things. But the alarm bells clanging within her only grew louder.

Lord James was about to mount his horse, a black destrier that was bigger than any she’d ever seen, when she stepped into his view. His brow furrowed, and he paused at the sight of her.

“Lady Isabella, I didn’t expect to see you again so soon. Would you care to join me on a ride?”

A ride would the perfect opportunity to get him alone, but would it be safe? The warning in her heart saidno. “That might not be wise, my lord. I’m certain you would be perfectly chivalrous, but tongues might wag.”

“Very well, then. What is it you wish to say?”

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