Page 46 of Duchess in Disguise
“I – thank you. I am sure we will be. As you might agree, she is a respectable young woman.”
“I might – do I know this woman?”
It was Isobel’s turn to be surprised. What were the odds she had crossed paths with Richard’s soon-to-be betrothed enough times that she would believe her to make a good duchess for him?
“You do,” he said easily. “It is Miss –”
A little but audible sigh cut through the air, and they both went very still. The sound had come from neither of them. Which meant –
Isobel turned back around to face her sister and gasped when their eyes met.
“Valerie… you’re awake.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“What... what is going on?”
Valerie's voice was weak, hoarse from days of disuse, but her words rang out clearly through the attic like a bell. Isobel felt her breath catch in her throat, her hand reaching for her sister's as green eyes – so much like her own – blinked slowly in confusion.
“Where am I?” Valerie asked quietly, her gaze drifting from Isobel to Richard and back again to her sister as though she could not help it. “What happened?”
Richard was the first to recover, rising from his chair swiftly in a way that was unlike his usual elegant composure. “Miss Wightman – Valerie – you are awake. Thank God.”
“I –” Valerie tried to sit up, but her arms trembled with the effort, and she could barely lift her head above her shoulder level.
Isobel immediately moved to help her, adjusting the pillows gently behind her sister's back to support her comfortably. The motion felt strangely natural – almost instinctive, as though she had been caring for Valerie all her life rather than meeting her for the first time mere moments ago.
“Please, do not exert yourself,” Richard said gently, his tone so incredibly soft as though he believed a louder decibel range might startle her. “You have been... rather unwell. You have our word – we will answer whatever questions you might have, but first, we need to ensure that you are all right. Are you in any pain? Do you need anything?”
Valerie shook her head slowly, though her brow furrowed as if she were gradually taking note of the state of her body. “No, I do not feel any pain. Only... tired. I feel so tired. Confused. It is as though I have been asleep for a very long time.”
“You have been,” Isobel told her quietly, and when Valerie's gaze snapped to hers, she saw the question forming even before her sister spoke it.
“Are you thirsty?” Richard interrupted, ever practical as he moved to stand at the foot of the bed. “You have not had anything to drink properly in days.”
“Days?” Valerie's eyes widened. “How long have I – yes. Yes, I am very thirsty.”
Isobel was already moving before Richard could, crossing to the other side of the room where a small table lay. On it, ajug of water and a cup had been placed, and her hands shook slightly as she poured, her brows furrowing as she channeled her concentration to keep her from spilling.
When she returned to the bedside, Valerie was watching her with an intensity that made Isobel's heart stutter. Those green eyes – identical to her own – followed every movement as Isobel carefully placed the cup in her sister's hands, her hands still hovering uncertainly, ready to provide support if Valerie needed.
Valerie raised the cup to her lips and took a long, deep drink, her eyes never straying from Isobel's face even as she swallowed. When she finally lowered the cup, there was a tremor in her voice that had nothing to do with physical weakness within her body.
“You...” Valerie began, then stopped, as though she had changed her mind.
Her free hand reached out slowly, tentatively, and Isobel found herself meeting it halfway, drawn to the missing piece of her existence, unable to keep herself from sighing softly when their fingers intertwined.
Valerie cleared her throat and tried again, speaking up nervously. “Are you... Are you my twin sister?”
The words hung in the air between them, weighted with years of separation and longing. Isobel felt tears prick at her eyes as she nodded, slow at first, then again with increased fervor.
“I am,” she admitted, her voice thick with emotion. “My name is Isobel. Isobel Lennox.”
“Isobel,” Valerie repeated, as though she wanted to test the name on her tongue.
Just as Isobel decided she liked the sound of her name when her twin called it, without warning, tears spilled down Valerie’s pale cheeks. “Oh, Isobel. I have wanted to meet you for so long.”
“As have I,” Isobel whispered as she shuffled closer, her own tears falling freely now. “Truthfully, I had no idea of your existence until father sent for me, but now that I am here – now that I see you… it feels as though a piece of me that has been missing my entire life has finally been found.”
