Page 101 of A Night of Forever
Her spirits immediately lifted. Victoria was dead and they were all safe.
“Do you need more laudanum?”
Marisa had been quietly reading a book. She must have heard Isobel stir.
Isobel wanted to say no, but when she tried to move, the pain ricocheted up her arm. “A little, thank you.”
Once Marisa had poured some magic from the bottle and helped her sip it, Isobel settled back in the bed.
“Marisa,” she said, “how are you with all of this? Really?”
Marisa sank onto the edge of the bed. “I’m pleased it’s all over. And I’m happy everyone is safe.”
“But?”
“But…” A tear rolled down Marisa’s cheek. “What do I do now? Go home to the estate? I can’t have Maitland’s children. How can I create a warm, happy family for him now?”
Isobel’s heart broke. “Oh, Marisa. I don’t know what I can say. I’m not sure there are any words to ease your pain. All you can do is focus on what youdohave—a man who loves you more than life itself.”
“You are right.” Marisa swiped angrily at her tears. “I amluckyto have Maitland. It’s just…a part of me worries that he has no choice but to put on a brave face. We are married and he’s too honorable to do anything about it. Like d-divorce me.”
“Divorce?” She wasn’t sure whether to shake her friend or laugh. “If I wasn’t in so much pain, I’d laugh. Of course Maitland has a choice. He’s made it. You are his world. He would never give you up. You mean more to him than even his wealth and title.”
“Now, perhaps.” Marisa stood and moved to the window. “But will I be enough for him over the long years? He’s a man who needs family.”
Everyone needed family. “You have his half sisters.”
“Yes,” Marisa said with a nod. “And they are lovely little girls.”
Isobel didn’t know if she should say what she was thinking. But Marisa adored children, and had such a big heart full of love to give to them.
“There are so many children who need good homes,” she said. “Children whose parents have died or deserted them. None of them may be the next Duke of Lyttleton, but you can bring joy and love into your home. Why don’t you look at helping those children?”
For a few moments Marisa stood stiffly with her back turned, and Isobel worried she’d gone too far. Presumed too much.
Then Marisa leaned her forehead on the window and pressed her palms to the glass. “You are right. Look at the little children begging in the streets.” Her voice took on an excited edge, and she swung round to face Isobel. “I can help. I can give these forgotten little children a home.”
“Not all of them,” Isobel warned, concerned that Marisa might run down to the street and gather up every orphan she saw. “You can’t help them all.”
“No. My orphanages will do that. But I can create a family too.”
That sounded right. “Yes. I believe you can.” And she knew that Marisa would. Isobel just hoped Maitland was prepared to be head of a very large, extremely boisterous family.
“Thank you.” Marisa came back to the bed, sat down on its edge again, and leaned over and kissed Isobel’s cheek. “Thank you for helping me see my path. Love is not only about blood, is it?”
Isobel shook her head, and for a little while they sat in companionable silence, busy with their own thoughts.
Finally Marisa said, “Speaking of love, Arend’s like a stallion with a broken bit between his teeth. He’s desperate to see you. For some reason he thinks you’re angry with him.”
Isobel nestled into her pillows. The pain was fading. “Not angry. Just disappointed. He didn’t trust me.”
Marisa frowned. “Of course he did. Who do you think understood about the hairpins?”
Isobel must have looked as blank as she felt, because Marisa went on. “Maitland had all the other men convinced you’d left of your own accord, but when Sebastian found the first hairpin, Arend took the lantern into the tunnel to look. He would not have done that if he truly believed you’d deceived us all.”
Hope kindled deep in Isobel’s belly. Arend had not let her down. The pain in her armed dimmed a little more.
“Will you see him?” Marisa pleaded. “I’ve never known him to be so on edge.”
