Page 5 of The Truth about the Viscount
“It is no trouble in the least, I assure you.” Lord Milthorpe gestured to the door that led from the ballroom. “Shall we see if she is in the hallway? There might be a ripped gown that requires stitching or mayhap she has stepped out for a little air.”
“Then the gardens?” Lady Winters took Daniel’s arm, even though he had not offered it, and then hurried them both towards the French doors, rather than the one that led out to the hallway. “I am sure that she would not have gone out to the gardens alone but, all the same, it might be wise to make certain.”
“Indeed.”
Becoming a little more confused as to why Lady Winters appeared to be so determined to have him out in the gardens, Daniel cast another look over his shoulder to Lord Milthorpe who was frowning heavily. The cold air sent a slight shockthrough him and Daniel blinked rapidly, astonished at the way the night air pushed away the slowness that came from the sheer amount of brandy he had indulged in.
“Do you think that we should call for her?” Lady Winters looked up into Daniel’s face, the flickers from the many torches lighting the garden dancing across her features. “But then that might make others aware that she is lost, and I do not want that.”
“No, I should not do such a thing as that.” Trying to quieten his thoughts over what Lady Winters appeared to be doing in practically dragging him outside, Daniel turned his gaze around the gardens but much of it was dark and hidden in shadow. “We should walk through the gardens quietly and see if we can see her anywhere. I am sure that she is merely standing with some companions and will be most apologetic over her absence from you.”
“I will go this way.” Lord Milthorpe took the path to the left and, with a nod, Daniel turned to the right. The gardens were large enough for many to walk in, though quite why a young lady would come out here alone, Daniel could not imagine. He walked in silence with Lady Winters, hearing only her quick breaths and practically sensing her concern.
Then, Daniel heard someone cry out and his heart lurched at the sound. Before he could say anything, Lady Winters released his arm and rushed forward into the darkness, leaving Daniel to follow her.
“Lady Winters, a moment!” Following her behind some bushes – his concern growing thathemight soon be caught alone with Lady Winters herself and some questions raised thereafter – Daniel moved slowly, silently wondering now if this had all been some foolish mistake on his part. Mayhap he ought never to have come outside or even agreed to assist her in this! “I do not think–”
“Goodness, Lord Hastings! Is that not… your sister?”
Daniel snatched in a breath, his eyes flaring as a flaming torch on a marble plinth illuminated the two figures before them. One of them was being held, her wrists tightly gripped, pressed back against the tree, and the other, he could not quite make out, given that the gentleman had his back to him. Before he could even think, Daniel strode forward across the grass and grasped the gentleman’s shoulder with one hand, wrenching him back just as his sister let out another cry, trying to fight Daniel off also.
“Isabella, it is I!” he exclaimed, only for her to break into sobs, throwing herself into his arms. She went a little limp, perhaps weak with fright, over what had taken place and Daniel, turning carefully, looked into the face of the gentleman who had held his sister so tightly.
“How dare you?” Taking a step closer, one arm still around Isabella’s waist, he fought the furious anger that burned up into his chest, threatening to overwhelm him. “Did you really think that this was the right way for a gentleman to behave towards a lady he supposedly cares for, Lord Newforth?”
Much to Daniel’s upset, the gentleman only smiled, grinning back at Daniel as though he had done something quite acceptable.
“Hastings?” A rush of footsteps brought Lord Milthorpe to stand beside Daniel, and then, quickly taking in the scene, he moved to stand on the opposite side of Isabella. “Whatever has happened here?”
“Oh, it is quite clear.” Lady Winters, suddenly no longer appearing as sorrowful nor as afraid as before, came to stand beside Lord Newforth. “I have discovered your sister, Isabella, in the arms of Lord Newforth. I am afraid that they must now wed, given the circumstances.”
Cold ran down Daniel’s spine and he shuddered violently.
“Never,” he hissed, his arm around Isabella gripping her a little more tightly. “I shall never permit you to wed her!”
“Ah, but thetonshall then know all that has taken place!” Lord Newforth exclaimed, throwing one hand out towards Lady Winters. “My aunt is not known for her quiet tongue, I am afraid.”
“Youraunt?” Closing his eyes, Daniel let out a hiss of breath, quickly realizing what had just taken place. Lord Newforth, for whatever reason, desired to have Isabella as his bride and thus, had used his aunt to force Daniel’s hand. If he refused to let Isabella marry Lord Newforth, then her reputation would be utterly ruined, and all that he had hoped for her would fade into nothing. Even his good name would be damaged, and that meant that any match he might hope to make would be a good deal more difficult. And what would his mother think of it all? He opened his eyes and turned to Isabella, seeing the tears on her cheeks, and feeling her tremble still. Twisting his lips, he shook his head. “I cannot do this to her. The answer is no.”
Lady Winters laughed mockingly.
“Then you do realize what you are going to face, do you not?”
“Mockery,” Lord Newforth began, ticking his fingers off one by one. “Disdain. The cut direct from many, I am sure. Gossip. Whispers. No longer invited to the fine events held in society.” He tilted his head, one eyebrow lifting just a little. “Is that really what you want? What you want forher?” His eyes went to Isabella, a darkness coming into them that Daniel shuddered to see. “Or do you not wish to encourage her to marry me and, in doing so, save yourself – and her – from all that I have said before?”
“You cannot.” Lord Milthorpe turned his head to look straight into Daniel’s face, his expression furious. “You cannot let him do this.”
“There is truth in what he says, however,” Daniel murmured, only for Isabella to let out a low cry, her hands now grasping his arm.
“Do not make me wed him, brother, I beg you! You know the character that he is, please do not force me into his arms!”
Daniel took a deep breath, seeing the fear in his sister’s face, but at the same time, struggling to know what would be best to do. He wanted to protect her but, no matter what decision he made, she would suffer.
“Iwill marry her.” Lord Milthorpe turned his back on Lord Newforth and Lady Winters, his voice low but determined.
“I beg your pardon?”
In response to Daniel’s question, Lord Milthorpe repeated himself, albeit more firmly.
