Page 19 of A Night of Forever
“You may think me a silly young girl,” she said, “but I know what I want. I want a love match. They do exist. Lord Blackwood, for example, is quite vocal about the fact he married for love.” She shrugged her shoulders. “My inheritance ensures I do not have to settle for anything less.”
Victoria’s head inclined in a nod. “True. But I see your face every time a child walks by, or you notice a mother and her baby. Waiting for love is risky. You might find it, but be too old to bear a child.”
Cruel truth. “Yes, I do want children.” Isobel let the longing of her heart pour out in the tone of her words, and sensed Victoria’s satisfaction. “But I’m twenty years old. Surely I have a few years yet before I need to worry. Why should I accept the first man—or rake—who comes along?”
“At least you know this one is not a fortune hunter.”
“Do I?” Isobel smiled inwardly. “He could simply have spread that rumor himself to fool any lady with a large dowry.”
Victoria laughed. “Clever child. However, I know it’s true. One day I’ll tell you how I know. But for now I’d advise you to take his offer before some other debutante steals him away.”
“Please, Victoria.” And as much as she hated to do it, Isobel reached out and took the woman’s gloved hand. “This is serious. I can no longer ask my father his opinion. You know what I want, and that Baron Labourd is incapable of that kind of love, and yet you still say to accept his offer. Why? Tell me why you truly believe I should consider him, and I shall give him a chance.”
Her stepmother’s fingers tightened on hers. “Because I may not be around for much longer, and although you have money, you are still very naive. I’d like to know you’re under the protection of a man no one will risk challenging.”
Isobel couldn’t help the leap of her heart. “Are you ill? No, of course you are not. How silly. But why would you not be around? Are you going away?”
“I am considering visiting the Continent for an extended period,” Victoria said. “For your father’s sake, I’d like to see you safely settled before I go.”
For my father? No,Isobel thought.For herself.
“Why have you not said anything before now?”
Victoria gently disengaged her hand. “I didn’t want to put pressure on you. I thought you’d have selected a potential husband by now, but no man has snared your interest.”
Not true, but Isobel could hardly tell Victoria that.
“Unfortunately,” Victoria continued, “there is one even more forceful reason for accepting Baron Labourd’s offer.” Her eyes glittered, even in the dim light. “He can protect you.”
“Protect me?” Isobel didn’t have to feign her surprise. “Protect me from whom? From what?”
“I didn’t want to tell you this.” Victoria pressed her gloved hands together and began to clasp and unclasp her fingers. “But I do not believe the fire that killed your father was an accident.”
Isobel had certainly not expected her to say that. “Impossible!” Yes, she sounded sufficiently shocked. “That can’t be true. Who would want to kill Papa?”Other than you,she wanted to add. The estate was not entailed, and while a distant cousin had inherited the title, the Earl’s wealth had been divided between his wife and his daughter. Upon her husband’s death, Victoria had become a very wealthy woman.
“I do not know.” Victoria continued to wring her hands and look distraught. “Taggert showed me where oil had soaked the ground near where the fire started. There is no doubt in my mind that it was deliberately lit. I told the magistrate, but he did not seem to think it of importance. Then when Taggert disappeared…” Her voice trailed off, and she sighed. “Well, I thought it prudent to escape to London, where there would be more people around us.” She leaned her head back against the squab. “Now you know why I wish you safely wed.”
Isobel’s head reeled. While she knew Victoria had not disclosed to the magistrate what Taggert had found, she had no idea why her stepmother now thought it necessary to tell her any of this.
“I don’t know what to think,” she said at last. It was true.
“I do.” Victoria leaned forward again. “I think it an excellent idea for you to marry as soon as possible. Then I can leave England until my investigators find answers. We are targets here. That’s why, when I heard Lord Labourd was considering marriage, I pointed him in your direction.”
Isobel swallowed. “I don’t know what to say.” She needed to talk to Arend.
“Say you’ll consider his suit,” Victoria said. “He’s handsome, wealthy, and fiercely protective of those he cares for. I’m sure sharing his bed will be delicious. You could certainly find yourself in a worse situation.”
She was in a worse situation now. How did she match wits against such a skilled enemy? There was only one thing to do.
“Very well.” She turned to Victoria. “I will accept his proposal. However, if he flaunts his mistresses or paramours, I shall cry off.”
Victoria inclined her head. “You are doing the right thing. I expect you will see him at the soirée.”
Isobel wished she could get a glimpse into her stepmother’s head. “He asked me if I would give him my answer tonight. He is a man who goes after what he wants.”
“Oh, yes,” Victoria said. “That is exactly what he does.”
Ominous words. She turned away so Victoria could not see her face.
