Page 95 of The Lover's Eye
He turned his gaze to Isobel, but she could hardly look at him.He extended a hand to help her down, and she took it heavily.Her leg.It was giving her pain.
“I was just on my way to look for you,” he said in a low voice.“I’ve just searched the entire house and gardens.”
Isobel worried her bottom lip between her teeth.“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Reverend Gouldsmith endeavored to plunge into small talk, but Giles thwarted the attempt, merely thanking him for bringing Isobel home safely.
“Let’s not wait too long to have Smooch and Pepper together!”the vicar called, waving as his horse broke into a trot down the drive.
Giles plastered on a pitifully false smile, and raising a hand in return, said to Isobel, “What in hell have I missed?”
When the gig disappeared around the bend, he turned his full attention on her.Her complexion was tinged with color from being in the sun all day, and it made her even more striking than usual, setting off her pale, inquisitive eyes.All he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and apologize, but something deep inside prevented him.
“Nothing, Giles.I went for a walk and Reverend Gouldsmith offered to drive me home.”
“Where in heaven’s name were you walking to run up with him?”
“I-I don’t know exactly whereabouts I was, to be truthful.Not far from the vicarage.He had me in for tea—”
“Not far from thevicarage?”he asked in disbelief, his tone rising.“What were you thinking, Isobel?Your leg is not yet healed, and you told no one where you were going.”
Isobel’s narrow shoulders set back.“I told Betsey I was going for a walk.”
Even with her standing before him, Giles’s hands still shook, sensation ripping through him.He leant over, drawing his face closer to hers.“You didn’t tell me.I had no idea where you were.”
You scared me to death.
Her eyes searched his face worriedly.Giles straightened, removing his hat and dragging a hand through his hair.“You said the vicar asked you in for tea?”
“Yes.”
He laughed coarsely, rubbing his eyes until they hurt.“What he must think of me.What you both must.Hell, I deserve it.”
“Giles.”Isobel’s voice was laden with concern, and she reached for his hand.“What are you talking about?”
“Did he tell you I’m to blame for his daughter’s death?That the same damn thing could have just happened to you?”
“Good God, no!He doesn’t think that—”
“Well, perhaps he should.”He looked at her then, her familiar features creased with pain, blurring in his vision.“That’s what half the country believes, and they aren’t wrong.”
Isobel took rapid steps toward him.“Giles.Giles, wait.”
He turned his back to her and walked away, his face in his hands.Her small footsteps pursued him.She grabbed the back of his arm, and he tried to free it, but her grip dug into his skin, halting him.“Giles.”
“I let her leave.I knew—I knew what could happen and I let it.By God, I was glad to be done with their damned mess, but it was mine, too.”He was speaking through a fog, his voice tremulous and his pulse pounding behind his eyes.
Isobel’s fingers went to his, gently prying them from his face one by one.The sight of her teary eyes looking up at him sent a flood of pain to his center.He took her face in his hands.“Don’t you see?I let it happen again.I let you leave in anger.You could’ve—” A sob rose from his throat.“I couldn’t—”
It was the moment he had feared above all else.That Isobel would discover all of him.But she hadn’t stumbled upon the truth, he was offering it to her.Yeilding everything, and hoping she could hold it.
Her arms came around him, fierce and strong.
32
Isobel shifted in bed, even as she acknowledged the new position would not offer sleep.Nothing would.She just needed to free her arm …
She sighed relief when the movement did not rouse Giles.His breaths came deep and heavy, his body still claiming a good portion of her side of the bed.Isobel wiggled her tingling fingers before lacing them through his hair, caressing methodically.
