Page 152 of The Governess of My Heart
Elizabeth still held her firmly, not understanding why she made this horrific decision in life.
“I cannot; I cannot let you do this. What has happened? Please get up and come with me. Lord Ashton will be able to help with whatever is distressing you.”
“No, he cannot; no one can help me. My life is doomed; I cannot face him. Let me die, Elizabeth; that is the only solution for my problems.”
Elizabeth stood Lady Isabella and guided her indoors while she cried uncontrollably in distress.
Should I take her downstairs to her husband or Lady Martha? What am I to do?
She led her to one of the rooms on the upper floor and shut the door. Lady Isabella collapsed into a chair and sobbed with distress. Elizabeth did not want to leave her alone and head downstairs for help.
“I may not be someone you want to talk to, but I knew something was bothering you for a long time. Why did you decide to end your life? Is someone threatening you?”
There was no reply from her.
“I am so sorry you feel this way; I must take you to Lord Ashton now.”
“No, please do not say anything to him.”
“Certainly, something serious must have happened for you to want to end your life, but whatever it is, this is not the solution.”
“I cannot face anyone after what I have done. For months, I have faced this torment, struggling to pass every second inthis house with guilt and fear, but it will not do. No one will understand me, my plight, and my struggle, not even my husband, because I should have confided in him long ago. Now, it is too late.”
“I cannot understand what is troubling you to this extent, but committing suicide is not a solution. Did you even imagine the plight of this family? They already lost Lady Sophia; no one can bear another death in this household.”
“But I may be the reason she died, and the only way I could compensate for that is to end my life.”
Elizabeth stared at her in shock.
“Were you responsible for her death? But was that not an accident?”
“I thought so, too, until a few months ago.”
“What are you saying?”
“I thought she fell down the stairs and died, but someone has been blackmailing me, stating that she committed suicide because of me, and they have proof,” Lady Isabella cried in agony.
“What?”
“I cannot explain this to you. I cannot explain this to anyone as I have no facts to support my innocence.”
“How did she die?”
“We argued that night; she came to my room and ran out in anger. I should have followed her, but I didn’t, and I am still guilty of it. The next morning, we found her dead near the stairs, and it was apparent that she fell and died.”
“Who is blackmailing you stating it was a suicide?”
“I do not know. I started receiving letters after we came back from our honeymoon and they claim they have a letter written by Sophia stating that she committed suicide because of me.”
“Good heavens! Why did you not inform anyone about this?”
Lady Isabella was silent.
“Lady Isabella, please be honest with me. Did you have anything to do with her death?”
“No, I did not. But if she committed suicide, I may be the reason for it. I hurt her so very much.”
Elizabeth looked at her, puzzled.
