13. Isla #3
“I immediately spoke to Lord Jontoreaux, explained the situation, and asked whether…,” she paused, needing to be entirely truthful about what had taken place, “well, really, it was he who suggested a compromise of sorts. I will retain ownership of my flock and pay for any expenses, medical or otherwise, and he will allow my herds to graze on his land. He will provide the shepherds, whom he will house and provision. In return, we’ll split the profits equitably.
In addition, he’s sending for an agriculturist he knows who will assess the damage to my land and offer a solution. ”
The dowager narrowed her rheumy eyes with a contemplative gaze that left everyone wondering her thoughts on the matter. “Perhaps not a complete ninny, then.”
Isla’s temper loosened her tongue, and she angrily spat out her response between gritted teeth.
“Not any kind of ninny, Your Grace.” She punctuated her words by jabbing a stiff finger on the table before the Archduchess—consequences be damned.
“What happened to me could have happened to any man who trusted his people to do their jobs. My only mistake was in blindly trusting and not overseeing their work.”
James gasped at her brusque, discourteous tone while Celie bore down on Isla’s foot again.
The Archduchess, however, reassessed the young woman and finished her perusal with an approving nod. “There’s the Brighton fighting spirit I saw in your mother and grandmother. All these years, I was afraid it had passed you by, but I’m glad to see it finally rearing its head in Alula’s heir.”
“Just because I don’t flout societal norms as easily as they doesn’t mean I don’t have their same mettle.
You underestimate me if you think my reticence to be the spirited, wonderfully vivacious, and passionate woman my mother was signifies that I don’t carry her spirit inside me.
Here.” She jabbed her chest with a stiff finger and worked to hold in the sob that escaped on the last word.
“I loved…no, I worshipped my mother and wish every single day I could be more like her.” She fell silent since talking had the unwanted effect of allowing her tears to fall unchecked down her cheeks.
Celie covered Isla’s hand with a gentle one of her own.
“It’s true, Your Grace. She has the Brighton mettle, but she was ridiculed over her mother’s flamboyant personality to such an extent as a child that it molded her into a different version of the women her mother and grandmother were.
Her mother realized it and tried to change, but. …” she shook her head.
The old woman covered the hand Isla had resting on the table and spoke softly now.
“I remember. She came to me, asking my opinion, and I told her she was doing more damage by changing who she was than by allowing you to learn to withstand the unkind vagaries of society.” She smiled at James.
“She told me you and Miss Smythson had given her the same advice.”
Turning back to Isla, Wilhelmina caught and held her gaze.
“I’m relieved you learned to weather their unkind words, but it saddens me that it drove you to live hidden behind a cloak of respectability.
If I can give you one word of advice before we return to the topic at hand, it would be to live your life to the fullest despite that heavy cloak. ”
For the first time, James spoke up. “It was Lady Pierpont who convinced her brother, King Augustus, to grant the dispensation allowing your grandmother to inherit from your grandfather. She also ensured that first your mother and now, you benefited from her brother’s beneficence.”
Astonished, Isla stared at the Archduchess. How had she lived thirty-two years and not known the extent of this woman’s presence in her life and in the lives of her mother and grandmother?
Wilhelmina held her gaze. “So, as you can see, my dear, I’m thoroughly invested in finding a way for you to keep your familial estates, no matter the cost. As I said, my grandnephew is not the man my brother was.
He’s influenced by his council, who believe only men should hold land in the kingdom.
Thankfully, my brother ensured that my holdings and estates will remain in my possession until I die.
Unfortunately, that is not the case for you. ”
The servants cleared the soup and oyster bowls and served the main course.
When the taller one lifted the silver dome covering the main dish, the rich and savory aroma of roast duck greeted the diners.
Isla watched as the man carved the meat, but her mind wasn’t on the process.
The only thoughts running through her head were that she could be the Brighton who might lose possession of Windsong Hall.