Page 64 of Duchess in Disguise
Cecil reached for her hand, his grip strong even though her hand was slightly larger than his.
“I do not think that there was anything wrong with what you did. Valerie says that sometimes, it is unnecessary to attempt to reason with people who are far too stubborn to see reason. You knew there would likely be no point in trying to change their minds about you and chose to leave. I think it is brave to know there was no use in fighting people with shallow minds like those. Besides, I like the way you talk. Now and then, I can catch a glimpse of your Scottish tongue, and I think it is very unique and special. I wish everyone thought the same.”
Isobel had not expected the night to go the way it had thus far. It was so strange how she had found comfort in the company of the little boy. Other than meeting Valerie, getting to know her siblings created another memory she would treasure forever.
“Thank you, Cecil.” She said, her throat rough with emotion.
He shook his head slowly.
“I wish I were more like you. As brave and as witty as you are. I know that… what father has done is wrong. Hiding Valerie away and making you search for the person who poisoned her. And I cannot help but feel as though I am to blame for this. Father is not cruel, but he… he is not kind to Valerie sometimes. He ignores her wishes and often scolds her for simply speaking up about her wishes. I am her brother. I should have protected her from him. From the person who poisoned her,” he admitted, his mood turning somber.
“You have done all that was needed from you, Cecil. You prayed for her and stayed by her side when father did not treat her kindly. The fact that you recognize that his actions were wrong tells me that you will grow into a fine young man. It is not easy to identify right from wrong, nor is it a simple task to stand against the actions of one’s father. But you are… so young, and you already have the mind of a noble and just man. I am very proud of you.” Isobel replied gently, reaching out to stroke his hair.
Cecil watched her with a careful gaze for a moment, then he lowered his eyes, looking uncertain.
“I still wish I had done more for Valerie. I sat by her side at dinner the night she got sick. I should have noticed when someone slipped poison into her food or drink. She looked after Nora and me the whole evening, speaking with guests whenever they addressed her. Everything was perfect. Even when she began to sneeze.”
“Sneeze?” Isobel blinked. “Did she have a cold?”
Cecil shook his head. “She had added too much black pepper to her potatoes, and they had become a tad too spicy. She didn’t notice after she had eaten a spoonful, and then she had a sneezing fit. She had drunk all of her water already, so I gave her mine. The sneezing calmed down shortly after.”
Something Cecil said struck Isobel, but when she tried to identify what part of it was relevant to the situation, she could not put her finger on it. So she pushed the thought aside and focused on assuring the child.
“There is nothing you could have done. It is still unclear what this person’s motivations are, why they chose Valerie of all people, and what methods they used to administer the poison. I wish you could meet my older brother, Graham. You both are so noble, and I know he would have felt the same way you do now. Even when it was not his fault, just as it is not yours. There was nothing you could have done, Cecil. Do not punish yourself anymore. Valerie has awakened, and tomorrow, she will wed Adrian, and this whole nightmare will come to an end. You have my word.” Isobel assured softly.
Cecil fell silent for a bit, then he tightened his grip on her hand slightly. “Will you stay with me? Until I fall asleep?”
Isobel nodded, reaching forward again to run her fingers through his hair.
“I will stay for as long as you need me to.”
The silence and warmth between them created a quiet, comfortable space that lulled Cecil to sleep shortly after. Isobel continued to sit by his side, her hand still in his as she watched his peaceful expression.
She could feel that everything would come to a head tomorrow, but she was not as worried or as frightened as she had been earlier in the evening. Whatever lay ahead of her, she was determined to face it directly.
It wasn’t long before the peaceful air caused her to doze off while seated, the day’s events wearing heavily on her body and mind.
Isobel was not sure if she had been asleep for hours or minutes, but the sound of a loud noise roused her easily. She sat up straighter with a start, blinking blearily as she glanced around the room.
She noticed a dark figure run to the door and exit through it, slamming it shut behind them.
“Who –” Isobel tried to call out, only to dissolve into a coughing fit.
She tried to inhale and choked, only then noticing that there was a strange light coming from the foot of the bed. The curtains around the bed fluttered as flames began to blaze brightly, quickly eating up the heavy material.
Isobel’s heart thundered in her chest as she grabbed Cecil, putting her arm up over her face so she could block her nose with the crook of her elbow. Cecil sat up, confused, but he was quickly alert when he noticed the fire growing around them.
Isobel quickly pulled him out of the bed as the covers were swiftly engulfed in the flames, the dark smoke filling the room, making it difficult to see which way to go.
“Here!” she shouted, handing him a handkerchief and pressing it over his nose and mouth. “Cover the bottom of your face with this!”
Once she was sure he was protected somewhat from suffocating, she did her best to find the door, tugging him along from their intertwined hands.
The room had gotten even hotter with the fire surrounding them, and Isobel was thankful when they finally arrived at the door, eager to be away from the flames and smoke.
But when she turned the doorknob, the door wouldn’t open.
She tried it again, and again, even going as far as leaning back slightly before she slammed her shoulder into the door, praying it would budge.
