Page 100 of A Night of Forever
“I love you so much, Father, and I’m so thankful and happy you are alive. Nothing else matters.”
Her father wiped tears from his face. “I love you too, sweetheart. So much that I will do anything it takes to ensure you walk away from this betrothal unscathed.”
But did she want to walk away? The idea made her heart break. Arend had a past that he kept hidden too. He must have a very good reason for holding it so tightly inside him. What would happen if he revealed it? Would it heal? Or would it divide and destroy?
More important, did it matter at all?
Not to her. Only to him.
She couldn’t walk in Arend’s skin, so she could not comprehend the pain he felt. Yes, she had to help him overcome that past. But that didn’t mean he had to reveal things he didn’t want to. She should simply prove her love by accepting him as he was. She’d love him no matter what he’d done.
Here and now, he was a good man. An honorable one. One who was desperate for love—the love of his friends, and perhaps hers.
She lay back and closed her eyes. The laudanum had only dulled the ache to a slow throb.
“I love him, Father.”
“Lord Labourd? But I thought your engagement was merely a ruse.”
She tried to shake her head and got dizzy.
“Does he love you?” he asked gently.
“I have no idea.” She tried to move to a more comfortable position. “It’s a very long story, and I’m not up to the telling right now.”
“He hasn’t left. Lord Coldhurst, the Duke of Claymore, and Lord Cumberland have returned to London. They have taken Victoria’s body. She is to be buried at our country estate.”
“No!”
At Isobel’s gasp, her father nodded. “Yes. Society must never know the truth. It would ruin you, and reignite the scandal surrounding the Libertine Scholars’ fathers.”
She understood that, but there was one thing she would not budge on. “Not near Mother,” she managed through gritted teeth. “And not in the family plot.”
“No,” her father agreed. “She will be buried near the moor, at the edge of the wood. It’s a wild, rugged place. Perhaps she will find some sort of peace there. Her mind was so twisted by what had happened to her.” He sighed. “That’s what seeking revenge can do to you.”
“Very true.” She would never have to walk in Victoria’s shoes, but Isobel could empathize with her need to punish the men who had abused her. What she could not condone was punishing the sons for their fathers’ crime, or hurting innocent parties like Marisa.
But there was still one big problem. “How will we explain your resurrection?”
Her father’s mouth tightened. “That might be more difficult. His Grace is going to put it about that I was injured in the fire and lost my memory, wandering off not knowing who I was or where I lived. I was discovered with a bunch of smugglers who were trying to extort money from me, and that’s why you all raced to Deal. Unfortunately, when the men tried to rescue me Victoria was killed.”
Her teeth clamped tight together. Victoria would end up a hero?
“It’s almost over,” her father said. “Marisa and Maitland are staying until you can travel back to London. Marisa sat with you for most of last night, until I sent her to get some sleep. She’s a lovely young lady.”
“Yes, she is.” Her heart clenched for her friend’s loss, Marisa’s pain mingling with that of her own throbbing shoulder. Being unable to have a child was difficult for any woman to endure, but for the wife of a duke it held an extra grief. “She will be relieved Victoria is dead. Although I suspect Marisa is feeling decidedly empty. Victoria’s death won’t give back all that she has lost.”
Everyone felt sorry for Isobel’s injury, but her collarbone would heal. Marisa’s injury would be with her for life. She’d need her friends. And no matter what happened between Isobel and Arend, Isobel planned to be one of them. “Where’s Arend?”
“Pacing the house like a caged lion.” Her father’s voice held resigned amusement. “I thought you might have wanted me to get rid of him.”
She was suddenly very sleepy. “He should get some sleep.”
She did not hear her father’s reply. The throbbing in her shoulder faded away and she entered dreamland.
—
When Isobel woke again, the first thing she noted, aside from the pain, was the brilliantly sunny day.
