Page 78 of The Beastly Duke's Christmas Bride
Sebastian grudgingly but gracefully handed her off to Edmund Thornton, Emilia’s cousin who she knew fairly well, for another dance.
It was a busy ball as everyone was energetic from the winter and excited to see one another again. She could hardly believe it, but no one brought up the scandal or her marriage or anything else worthy of rumors. Though a few people definitely avoided her, as she avoided them, she was greeted eagerly into talking circles and asked to countless dances.
At least three hours passed without Isabel spotting her brother. As for Sebastian, he came and went to participate in several other dances and other conversations.
She returned to his side shortly before supper was meant to begin. Slipping her hand over his arm from behind, she was secretly thrilled when he immediately pulled her closer and turned to gaze at her.
“You couldn’t have known that was me,” she whispered.
“I would always know it is you. Is something wrong?”
“No, not at all. Well…” Isabel eyed the three men with whom he spoke, quickly realizing they were all dukes. All his friends, whom she had met prior. They greeted her politely before Sebastian excused them for a moment.
He asked her quietly, “What is it?”
“Nothing. Not really. Only I haven’t seen Thomas,” she said hurriedly. “I was surprised he wished to come this evening at all, but now I haven’t seen him and I’m growing worried.”
Sebastian, good man that he was, didn’t tease or mock her. “I’ll search for him at once. See if he is on the terrace if you like? I’ll investigate the other rooms and halls.”
“Thank you,” she whispered before he took off.
Sighing in gratitude, she made her way slowly across the ballroom to reach the large doors leading to the terrace. Doors and windows had been opened due to the suffocating heat ofso many bodies dancing here. It was a bit stifling, so she was relieved to find her way outside.
“Isabel, is that you?”
She twisted to find her brother off in a shadowed spot by a large tree. “Thomas! There you are. I was so worried.”
He ushered her closer, eyes glancing around at the empty space. “I thought it best to stay here. I’m afraid this evening has not gone well.” Shushing her gasp, Thomas explained, “I’m afraid my once trusted friends can no longer be relied upon. I thought I might find myself saved in the eyes of those who swore to love me and care for me, but every one of them has turned me away. Every single person but you.”
“Oh, Thomas, don’t be so downhearted.” She remembered all too well how it had felt to lose hope last autumn. Taking his hands in hers, she gave him a squeeze. “Everything will work out.”
The morose expression on his face said otherwise. “How? I checked with the courts. I must pay them back every penny if I wish to have the title bestowed upon me someday. Otherwise, it will die with Father once he passes. If he dies before I do, what shall become of me?”
Her throat grew tight. “I… I don’t know.”
“Oh, Isabel. I don’t know how I can go on.”
“Then you need money?”
Tsking, Thomas craned his neck up to the heavens with a look of utter dismay on his features. “What more can I do with money? I will never return such a sum to the crown. They’ll put interest on it too, if it takes too long. Oh, I’ll never get that much from the gambling houses.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re not going to try again. Are you? Because you had better not.”
He sighed heavily. “You are right, I can never enter a gambling den again. A hell, they call it, and right they are. My apologies for your sensitivities, my sister. No, I must carry on and… and find another way to regain restitution. Yet here you are. My last hope, Isabel.”
“What is it? Can I help you?”
Thinking quickly of her options, Isabel considered whether she might be able to gather more finances to help him. Perhaps if she offered something or begged to Sebastian, he might be willing to offer assistance. But even then she knew it hardly possible. Her brother had cost them too much and she couldn’t ask that of her husband. Sebastian clearly didn’t like Thomas.
What of their parents? Surely they would still care for their son. There had to be something she could do. She bit her lip and tried to think.
“You can help,” Thomas reassured her. “You can forgive me.”
“Forgive you?” Isabel hesitated, feeling wary for a reason she couldn’t explain. She shifted her balance and glanced around to see no one else was out here still. Feeling a chill, she shivered and turned back to her brother. “What is it? Have I not forgiven you already?”
His eyes widened and he opened his mouth before snapping it shut and looking away. Then he turned back. “I pray that you have, to the depths of your heart. The sadness and shame I brought upon our family is something I can never remedy.”
“You have done what you could, have you not? You talked to Mother and Father?”
