Page 34 of A Night of Forever
She crept back to the stairs, descended two, and then clomped back up them.
She couldn’t remain with the women long or she’d break down. Nor would she give them a chance to tell her anything or show their pity for her gullibility. This was between her and Arend. If he believed she was in league with Victoria, then she had a few things to say to him. A man who could not trust, could not be trusted, for he would lie and deceive in order to hide his true self.
She couldn’t wait to see him in Richmond. She’d be dignified, but he would learn in no uncertain terms that she didn’t appreciate his duplicity. Their betrothal was over. She would hire her own Bow Street Runners and find her father’s killer on her own.
When she entered the room, it was with a smile on her face and a cheerful greeting. “Good morning, ladies. Such a fine day for a visit to Richmond Park. Do any of you wish to join us?”
Beatrice rose, took her two hands, and placed a kiss on her cheek. “I wish I could go with you, but duties keep me here. Henry has come down with a stomach ache, so Nanny has advised he stay at home too.”
Beatrice released Isobel’s hands and walked to the window. “The Runners are entertaining Sealey with a game of hide and seek in the garden,” she went on. “He could not sit still waiting for you.”
How wonderful to know there was one person she could love without reserve. “He’s been waiting to go with me ever since his mother arrived in London,” Isobel said, moving to the window.
“And he’s having a wonderful time.” Marisa came and slipped her arm through hers, turning her away from the window. “Come and have tea with us before you go.”
How could she sit with these women, who she’d thought were her friends, and pretend that all was well? “I’m sorry, no. It’s a long trip, and we want to be back before dark.”
She saw the tension leave the women’s faces at her refusal. Hurt knifed through her once again. But what did she expect? She was more or less a stranger to them, and their loyalties were to their husbands and to each other.
Twenty minutes later, Isobel sat in the carriage beside a very excited Sealey and opposite two rather large Bow Street Runners. Two more Runners traveled at the rear of the carriage, another sat beside the driver, and a further six accompanied them on horseback.
Lord Coldhurst was taking no chances. Even though Henry was no longer one of the party, Sealey still had the same protection as Coldhurst’s adopted son. Isobel would have felt better about the protection if she didn’t believe she was part of the reason for it. How could they think she’d let anyone hurt a child?
Isobel let Sealey chatter all the way to Richmond. He was far too excited to be quiet and watch the world pass by, and she needed the distraction he provided. Arend would meet them at the park. They would share a picnic and she would tell him of Dufort and thus fulfill her obligation to him. Sealey would enjoy the deer and the exercise. While she and Arend watched him, she would, perfectly politely, state her position and end their association. Arend would walk away. She would gather up a tired little boy and the pieces of her heart and take them all back home. Tomorrow…
She was not looking forward to tomorrow.
The carriage stopped, as she had directed, at Pen Pond. All Sealey could talk about were the deer—the animals would have to come to drink at some point.
Arend, however, was not at the pond.
The Runners insisted that they stay near the carriage at all times. It was not easy to do with an energetic five-year-old boy.
Had Arend been with them, it might have been easier.
But if Arend wasn’t there, the deer were. Sealey even found two other families with small boys to play with.
Isobel arranged the picnic near the shelter of the carriage under oak trees for shade, and then told Sealey to see if any of the other children wanted to join them for lunch. Delighted, he raced off across the green grass, deer bounding away at his approach.
She was seated on a rug on the grass, with a glass of champagne in hand, when the shot rang out.
One of the Runners toppled off the carriage.
“Get inside!” another runner yelled at her.
But all Isobel saw were the two horses bearing down on Sealey.
Where thehellwas Arend when she needed him?
He wasn’t here. But she was.
She scrambled to her feet, snatched up the hem of her gown, and raced off across the grass as other shots rang out, calling for Sealey as she ran.
Sealey had stopped at the sound of the first shot. Now, no doubt galvanized by the terror in her voice, he turned and started running back to her. She didn’t look behind her. The Runners were under attack? She was Sealey’s only hope.
Grabbing Sealey’s hand, Isobel pulled him toward the protection of a copse of trees. All they could do was hide until the Runners prevailed.
They had almost reached safety when two horses swerved between them and the copse in an attempt to cut them off. Heart pounding, breathing ragged, Isobel scooped Sealey into her arms. She staggered under his weight and managed two steps forward before another shot rang out. Something buzzed past her ear.
