Page 55 of The Beastly Duke's Christmas Bride
As everyone turned her way, Isabel realized she must have made a noise. Her hands shook as she brought one up to cover her mouth.
“Isabel!” Thomas stepped forward.
Sebastian looked over his shoulder but stopped Thomas from moving any closer, keeping himself between the siblings. Although Isabel could feel her husband looking at her, she couldn’t bring herself to turn away as she stared at her brother.
“Is it… Is it really you?”
A foolish question. But Isabel needed to be certain. Her head started to ache. The day was not going according to her plansany longer. Dropping her hand back down to her side, she forced herself to take a step forward.
Eyes widening with clear hope, Thomas gave a hurried nod. “Of course it is me. Your elder brother, Isabel. I have spent a long time tracking you down, and have found you at last.”
She didn’t remember him wanting to find her before. A whirlwind of emotions shoved through her. Most of the time, she didn’t like to think about her brother. It was easier that way after all that had happened.
When the court cases came to a standstill, when her brother disappeared, and when her parents retired to the countryside without her, Isabel had resolved to move forward. She would protect herself and build up her own life. It wasn’t easy, nor exactly ideal, but she was working on it. She had put away her past.
And now he was here to… to what?
“Whatever are you doing here?” Isabel asked him. She finally managed to tear her gaze away from him to glance at Sebastian, who offered only an impassive expression. He didn’t let Thomas any closer but otherwise said nothing.
Thomas slapped his hand against his heart. “For you, of course. I came to seek your forgiveness.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“It is Christmas Eve, is it not?” Thomas leaned forward but couldn’t make any distance with Sebastian still there. He let out a small huff before putting his smile back on his face. “My dear sweet Isabel. What a trial I have been. Please, you must hear me out as I beg for forgiveness from my angel of a sister. I’ve changed. Truly. I regret everything. I wish to make amends.”
So much had happened since this time last year. Isabel blinked and could remember her brother gifting their parents with beautiful rugs and scarves. He hadn’t gifted her anything, profusing apologies he had not found the right gift for her and would eventually give her something.
He never did give her a gift. Still, seeing the cheer on her parents’ faces had been worth it. And their parents had blessed her with some jewelry she had pawned off only four months back, and slippers she wore now on her feet.
Isabel glanced down at them before looking back at her brother. “I don’t think I understand.”
“Then let me help you.” Thomas paused to glare at Sebastian. “Can you not see that my sister needs me? I cannot imagine why you are interfering yourself in family matters at a time like this.”
“We weren’t expecting you,” Isabel started cautiously.
As for her husband, he dropped his arm but crossed his arms again while he turned to stare down Thomas. “No, he wasn’t expected. And if the duchess,” he added her title emphatically, “doesn’t wish for you to be here, you’ll be thrown out at once.”
Thomas shook his head with a sharp laugh. “My sister would never want that.”
“She wouldn’t want a scoundrel for a brother, either,” Sebastian pointed out with his chin out.
Isabel hastened forward to stand between them. “Please, we do not need a fight here. It is Christmas Eve, is it not?”
“Say the word, Isabel.” Sebastian immediately acknowledged her. His eyes steadied on hers with clarity. “Say the word, and he is gone. I will not let him disturb your peace.”
I think he would do it. Would he even ask questions? The few times I have attempted to bring up the family scandal, he brushes it off. He must know. Only I don’t know how much he knows… Except for one thing. He would do it. He would throw my brother onto the street without a second thought.
Hiding her trembling hands by clutching her shawl, she glanced between the men. Both of them looked weary and yet prepared for a fight. She recognized Sebastian’s stance from inside the ring.
As much as she might like to see him box again, she couldn’t do that to her brother. Thomas wouldn’t survive a single round.
“Thank you, but no. I will hear him out. I… I want to hear what he has to say,” she added after taking a deep breath. It was hard to tell if she was convincing him or herself.
This is what a good person would do. A good sister, a good wife. Everyone surely deserves a second chance, don’t they? I couldn’t really turn my brother out onto the street… I think. No, I don’t have to believe or care about anything he says. But I will hear him out.
Sebastian gave a reluctant nod before glowering over at Thomas. He eventually took a step aside. “Very well, hear him out as you desire. This is your home as well, my wife.” Before turning away, he moved closer to speak softly in her ear. “But remember this: whenever you wish him gone, I will have him thrust out the door at once. No questions. No delays.”
My safety. That was his vow.
