The Truth about the Viscount (Whispers of the Ton #4)

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

“ I sabella?” There was something like relief in Daniel’s heart as his sister offered him a welcoming smile as he came into the room. It had been three days since the incident with his sister and Lord Newforth, and Daniel had not wanted to approach her to speak about anything until he was quite sure she was ready. Today, however, looked to be the day, given the slight color in her cheeks and the warmth in her expression. “Isabella, I did wonder if we might speak together?”

“You wish to talk about my betrothal?”

Daniel nodded and came to sit down, only to then rise again to ring the bell so that they both might enjoy a little refreshment.

“Mama will soon come to join us, I am sure, though I would like to have a few moments alone with you first.”

“I am not distressed if that is your concern.”

Daniel shook his head.

“It is not that, Isabella, though I am glad to hear you say it. The reason I wanted to speak with you is so that I might apologize for my lack of consideration, and my failure in my responsibility to you.” Isabella’s eyebrows lifted. “I – I should have made certain to find you once that dance was at an end,” Daniel began, the heaviness that had been in his heart since that evening now beginning to weigh him down all the more. “I did not. I was enjoying my brandy and to be truthful, Isabella, I quite forgot that our mother was not with us and that I had the sole responsibility for you.” Isabella pressed her lips tight together and then turned her head away, as though there was something she wished to say but could not quite be sure how to go about it. “I was wrong to do such a thing,” Daniel continued his breath tight in his chest now. “I have only myself to blame but, what troubles me the most, is that you have suffered the consequences of my failure.”

“Oh, Hastings.” Isabella shook her head, then looked back at him, her eyes damp. “I will not disagree with you, but I will also say that Lord Newforth surprised me utterly. He took my arm and led me from the ballroom so quickly, and in such a crowd of people also, that I quite lost myself in astonishment – to the point that I did not even cry out! When he marched me through the gardens, I did begin to exclaim, but he hissed in my ear that if I were to make a single sound of protest, then all of the other guests would hear me, and would, thereafter, wonder what I was doing in the arms of a gentleman without my brother’s company. I did not know what to do, nor what his intentions were, and thus, I remained silent.”

“I think that was the best thing for you to do, given the circumstances,” Daniel answered, his heart still filled with a great deal of pain and regret over what he had done. “I should have been more watchful, Isabella. I should have stayed near to the dance floor and never once taken my eyes from you.”

Isabella reached out one hand and settled it over his, just as the tea tray was brought in. She said nothing until the maid had left the room, though tears still burned in her eyes and Daniel’s heart tore with what he had done to her.

“You are not to break yourself apart over this, Hastings.” Isabella squeezed his hand lightly and then rose to her feet, going to pour the tea. “I can see that you are deeply sorrowful over what has happened, but I want now to focus on my future, and on what is to take place.”

“Lord Milthorpe will be a good husband,” Daniel answered, though he too rose to his feet, his hands clasping behind his back. “But I know that you did not want this sort of connection, you wanted very much to make your own match. I am sorry, truly sorry, that you have had that chance taken from you.”

“Lord Milthorpe has promised to do all that he can to care for me, and I believe his words,” Isabella answered, clearly choosing not to say anything in response to what Daniel had said. “He does care for me, and I for him.”

“But not with the type of affection that I know you had hoped for,” Daniel answered, a little woeful now, as Isabella handed him his cup of tea. “There is care and consideration between you, yes, but that is only because you have known each other for so very long.”

“And yet, that may well be an advantage,” came the answer. “We can build on our friendship and knowledge of each other to make a happy and contented marriage.” Perhaps seeing that Daniel was about to speak again, Isabella held out one hand to him, taking his own and then pressing it gently. “You are right, it is not as I might have wished it, but at the same time, I will not complain, nor protest that Lord Milthorpe is to be my husband. He is a good man, with a kind heart and a loyalty that is clear to both myself and to others who have known him. Your friendship with him speaks of that. Yes, he might not have been my choice, but he is a good choice.”

The door opened before Daniel could answer, their mother coming through the door to join them, though her eyes went from Daniel and then Isabella before returning to Daniel again.

“My dear children.” She smiled, though Daniel could see the concern in her eyes. “How do you fare today?”

“I am well, Mama.” Isabella smiled in response and then gestured to the tea tray. “Would you like to take something with us?”

Nodding, Lady Hastings sat down and then looked at Daniel.

“Are you well, my son?”

Daniel tried to nod, tried to say that he was quite contented, only for the words to stick in his throat. Instead, he simply shrugged and then sat back down, his teacup still in his hand. He had not told his mother everything that had taken place, had merely informed her that Lord Milthorpe had asked for Isabella’s hand and that he had given his consent, so long as Isabella herself was contented. His mother, Daniel was sure, had not merely accepted that explanation, however, for it was clear both to herself and Daniel that something more was not being said.

“You are not as happy as I thought you might be over your sister’s betrothal,” Lady Hastings continued when Daniel did not answer. “Is it because she is to wed your very dear friend? I am sure that it will make things even better for all of you.”

Forcing a smile, Daniel nodded.

“I am certain that you are quite correct in that. It came about very quickly, Mother, which accounts for my surprise. That is all.”

“It was rather surprising, yes.” Lady Hastings switched her gaze from Daniel to her daughter instead. “It must have been something of an astonishment to you also, my dear. Though you do seem to be happy.”

Isabella looked down at her teacup and then lifted her shoulders just a little.

“It was unexpected. I did not expect Lord Milthorpe to offer for my hand, but he was so very fervent in his desire that I could not help but accept him. I do know him very well, since we are childhood friends, and I trust that we will have a happy marriage.”

“And that is why you accepted him?” Lady Hastings studied her daughter carefully, curiosity in her voice and expression. “I did think that you wanted to make your own choice in this, that you were glad to have been given another Season so that you might choose for yourself.”

Daniel opened his mouth, ready to tell his mother all as he shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“Mother, I–”

“I think that I realized how good a choice he would be.” Isabella interrupted Daniel in a somewhat loud voice, making their mother’s eyebrows lift in surprise. “Sometimes, Mama, it seems to me a little overwhelming to realize just how much is required in choosing a husband. I understand that society often presents gentlemen in a very different way from how they truly are, and gentlemen themselves can pretend to be what they are not, to secure a bride.” She shook her head and sighed. “Besides which, I know that I have an excellent dowry and a fortune to come to me yearly thereafter, so I understand that even that might have caused me some difficulty when it came to ensuring that all of the gentlemen who wished to court me were just as they said they were!”

Daniel looked away, aware that his sister was doing what she could to defend him, to silence him so that he would not have to explain himself to their mother, and yet, the urge to tell her everything was still present. He shot a look at Isabella, but she gave him a small shake of her head, clearly telling him to remain silent.

“Well, I do think that the match is a good one, but so long as you are happy, Isabella.” Lady Hastings glanced from Isabella to Daniel and then back again. “Just so long as nothing untoward has taken place, which has forced this match.”

Again, the urge to tell all rose within Daniel’s heart, but it was Isabella who spoke next.

“Please, Mama, there is no need to concern yourself with such thoughts! You think well of Lord Milthorpe, do you not?” When their mother nodded, Isabella’s warm smile returned. “Then be assured that all is well and that I am quite contented with Lord Milthorpe.” She set her teacup down. “Now, shall we think about my trousseau?”

Instantly, Lady Milthorpe began to exclaim about gowns and all that would be required, and Daniel, his tea now finished, rose to his feet and silently made his way from the room.

The conversation had gone well, he considered, but his own upset and shame remained, even though Isabella had attempted to encourage him to forget about such things and instead, to focus on what would come next – her marriage and removal to Lord Milthorpe’s estate. He had let her down, he knew, and that guilt still drove itself firmly into his heart.

And how much do I now despise society?

A heavy cloud settled over his mind. Had it not been for society and their willingness to gossip and spread rumors, then Daniel would have had no concerns when he discovered Lord Newforth and Isabella. He would have been able to take Isabella back from his hand without concern and Lord Newforth would never have been able to make such a threat in the first place. Instead, Lord Newforth had spread out for Daniel what would happen to Isabella, if he did not receive what he desired – namely, Isabella as his wife – and he had used the judgment of society as his leverage.

I despise them all.

Gritting his teeth, Daniel made his way into his study and, after going to pour himself a small whisky, went to sit down at his desk. A bundle of letters and invitations sat waiting for him, ready for him to respond to, but he did not even reach for the first of the letters. Instead, he sat, stony-faced, as though the letters themselves were to blame. For the very first time, he realized just how much society had aided Lord Newforth in his dark deceptions, how much they had given him in his attempts to secure Isabella’s hand. Had Lord Milthorpe not stepped in, had he not offered his hand willingly to Isabella, then Daniel did not know what sort of situation they might now have found themselves in. Either Isabella would have been facing the judgment of society, or she would have been betrothed to Lord Newforth!

“How much I owe him.”

Muttering to himself, Daniel rubbed one hand over his eyes, feeling them tired and heavy. The situation had come out as best as it could have done, and yet, Daniel was still all too aware of his failings. At the same time, a slow-growing hatred of society and all that it supposedly offered began to take hold of him and he started to scowl, a fury growing in his heart all over again.

I do not want to be a part of the ton any longer. I do not want to be a part of those who live for gossip and whispers, and who can so easily tear another person’s life apart. Letting out a sigh, he shook his head. I will remain until Isabella’s marriage is complete and, thereafter, I intend to make my way from London and return home, never again to come back to another London Season.