Page 71 of The Beast of Beswick
“Isobel, you can’t trust him,” Astrid said with narrowed eyes. “You know how he is. He only wants to control you, and giving you all these things is his way of doing that. I’m sure Beaumont is still sniffing around.”
The happy smile faltered. “I’m aware, Astrid. I know it’s a bribe.”
Astrid huffed a breath. Did shetruly? She was so guileless, and their uncle only had his own best interests in mind. Not Isobel’s or anyone else’s. And Beaumont was not to be underestimated, either. She frowned. “Beswick will approve the match when the time comes.”
“We don’t need the duke. I have everything in hand.”
“Please don’t be naive, Isobel.”
Her sister looked stung. “I’m not a fool.”
“No, that’s not what I meant,” Astrid said, reaching for her, but Isobel shifted out of the way, her face crumpling. “I think you have a soft heart and you want to believe in the best of everyone, including Uncle.” Her voice softened. “Isobel, you’re my whole world. I’ve always looked out for you, and I’ve always been truthful with you about Beaumont and everything else. I only want you safe, you know that. I want you to come and live with the duke and me at Harte House. The duke is your legal guardian now.”
Her sister’s blue eyes went dull with something like disappointment. “You’ve married, then?”
“Yes. You knew that was the plan all along.”
Her sister’s lips trembled. “But I didn’t want you to have to marry him! That was the whole purpose of this.” She waved an arm. “Of my coming to London to find a suitor, so you wouldn’t have to.”
“It doesn’t matter now, Izzy. You’re safe, and that’s all that matters.”
“But you’re not! You’re married to a man you don’t even want because of me.” Isobel’s face filled with despair. “Heavens, I waited too long. I should have come to London weeks ago, and then you wouldn’t be caught in this predicament. This is all my fault.”
“No, it’s not. This is what we had to do.”
Astrid pulled her into a hug, but Isobel shook free. “I never wanted this at the expense of your own happiness. Didn’t you read my letter? I wanted to do this. Forus.”
She stared at her sister, seeing the frustration and misery sparking in her blue eyes, and her heart tightened with emotion. “I know you did, and I love you for that more than you know. But it’s done now. Please come home with me. You’ll be safe under Beswick’s protection. You can have a real Season, and you won’t have to worry about Beaumont.”
The offer hung between them, but then Isobel shook her head, a determined gaze meeting hers. “No, I wish to stay with Uncle Reggie and Aunt Mildred.”
“Izzy—”
“Please, Astrid,” she said, a stubborn note in her voice. “If you and the duke are newly married, my place isn’t with you, at least not right now. I will be all right for the rest of the Season. You needn’t worry about me.”
“It’s not safe,” Astrid said. “I must insist.”
“No, sister, I’m where I should be.” Isobel smiled softly and kissed her on the cheek. “I have to go. Aunt Mildred will be looking for me.” She squeezed Astrid’s hands and stood, a grown-up, confident angel. “I love you, Astrid, no matter what happens, but you have to let me go. I need to spread my own wings. Find my own future. And you need to take care ofyoufor once. Find the happiness you deserve, and if that’s with Beswick, then so be it.” She walked toward the door and paused, her expression wry. “Even with his rotten temper. I tried to prevent you from marrying him for my sake, but deep down, I think he might truly care about you.”
Astrid didn’t bother to correct her sister that Beswick’s idea of caring was tantamount to getting a dog. She swallowed the rush of bitterness. But the minute the door closed behind Isobel, Astrid sank into a nearby chair. Everything was spiraling out of control…Beswick, Isobel, her marriage, and there seemed to be not a damn thing she could do about any of it.
And to top it off, she was on the brink of losing the only family she had left.
Chapter Nineteen
Thane stopped at his wife’s bedroom door, his hand raised. He hadn’t seen her in days. Not for meals, not in passing. God, he’d made a mess of things. The guilt struck him like the lash from a whip. Following his explosion of temper, the shame of his actions had kept him closeted in his study, focused on work. The good thing was that his estates were in pristine order. His marriage, however, was another matter entirely.
Thane scrubbed a hand through his hair and knocked.
“Enter.”
He pushed open the door, and his wife’s guarded eyes met his.
“May we speak?”
Astrid was freshly scrubbed from her bath, her damp hair curling around her face. She wore a clean nightgown and a loosely tied robe over it. Her lips parted on a guarded sigh. “If you insist.” She tightened her arms about herself in a protective gesture that made him ache. “Though I’m still recovering from our last conversation.”
Wincing, Thane stepped into her chamber and shut the door behind him, the fresh scent of her filling his nostrils. They stared at each other in silence, so many things between them needing to be said. He knew that he’d hurt her unconscionably. He cleared his throat, forging ahead before he could change his mind.
