Page 52 of The Lover's Eye
“Is that a yes, then?”he asked with a wide grin.“You’ll marry me, Isobel?”
She looked up at him through her lashes, the disbelief gone from her smile, and nodded.“I will.”
19
Isobel was still in a languorous daze the next morning when Betsey strode into her bedchamber, wide-eyed.
“What’s the matter?”Isobel asked, her words mangled by a mouthful of toast.Marriane was so pleased with her sister’s engagement, she had allowed her to take breakfast in bed and leave the more technical arrangements to her own good judgement.
“You have a caller,” Betsey said in a loud whisper.
Isobel froze, forcing a swallow on her food.“At this hour?”
Betsey nodded rapidly.“It is Lord Trevelyan.”
A sobering relief swept over Isobel.Why had she suspected anyone else?
She finished off her cup of chocolate in one large, decadent sip, a tiny trail of it running down her chin and threatening the crisp white of her nightdress.“Help me dress,” Isobel said, swiping the spill with the back of her hand.“Quickly, please.”
He was waiting for her in the drawing room she loathed, and rose to greet her.The curtains were pulled fast over the windows in their usual fashion, but his timid smile seemed to bring a light to the space.Isobel felt a lifting sensation in her stomach, like a cluster of butterflies had been awoken.
“Lord Trevelyan,” she said, giving a small bow.He gave her a cross look, one dark brow lifting, and Isobel giggled.She looked over her shoulder before amending, “Giles.”
“Ah, that’s much better,” he said, crossing the space between them until he was close enough for her to reach out and touch him.Though her hands stayed at her sides, her eyes flickered over his lips in remembrance.She longed to kiss him again.He seemed to divine her thoughts, for they curved into a smile as she watched.“Good morning, Isobel.”
“Please, have a seat,” she said, clearing her throat and settling onto the overstuffed chintz settee.“Is something the matter?”
“No, nothing like that.I’m sorry to trouble you so early.”Though Giles sat, his posture remained upright, his hands resting on the knees of his breeches.“I have secured a marriage license from the bishop this morning.”
“Already?”Isobel was powerless against the girlish grin that manipulated her mouth.“That’s wonderful.”
“Yes.It is only some other … mattersI felt need to discuss with you.”
Her excitement waned into curiosity.She waited for him to speak, willing herself into patience.She had another matter to speak with him about, too.She had failed to broachthatsubject yesterday, too consumed by the harmonious, affectionate happiness between them.But no matter how terribly she wished to forget, or how much she longed to never speak of it again, she had to tell Giles what had happened with Elias.
“I presume you know the custom of marrying in the parish where you reside,” Giles said.Isobel nodded hesitantly.“I wish for you to set the day of our wedding, so that I might make arrangements with Reverend Gouldsmith.”
Isobel’s eyes widened and fled to her lap.The father of his first bride was going to marry them.It was perfectly logical, a simple technicality which she should have already deduced—but she hadn’t.
“I assure you the reverend is a good and honorable man,” Giles continued.His voice sounded strained.“He will be most accommodating to your wishes, and discreet, if you wish it.”
She searched for words, trying her best not to sound as affected by the news as she was.“Marriane said she will handle the arrangements for me … I suppose I must ask her.”
“I would prefer the decision to come from you.”
Isobel found the delicate blue of his eyes settled on her.“What day do you think best?”
One of Giles’s eyebrows raised in response.Realizing she had been driven to making the decision unaided, Isobel lapsed into a moment’s consideration.“Would Saturday suit?”
He extended his hand to her, just as he’d done in the garden the day before.“Darling, there is not a day you could choose that wouldn’t suit me.”
Even as she took his hand, dread culminated to a single point in her chest.“There is one other thing,” she said quickly.
“Yes?”
She felt his eyes on her, but kept her head bent.“I am not sure if you are aware of—of certain events, which occurred before I left Cumberland.”
Giles shifted a little, lowering his voice to match hers.“Are you referring to Captain Sempill?”
