Chapter 20 #3
James was brooding on this when his thoughts shifted.
Wait . . . was this not a blessing in disguise?
Mr. Prexley would not be so set on having James as a son-in-law if he were practically destitute.
It was only his inheritance that had made the Prexleys hold fast to the engagement.
Perhaps he could use this news to good account.
If only it might serve! He would have to inform Isabel of his change of status as soon as possible, for it would affect her too.
As he mulled it over further, a tremor of anticipation went through him. In learning of his loss of fortune, perhaps—just perhaps—Isabel would not be so determined to cling to the engagement. With no ball at La Redoute that evening, he might be able to catch the Prexleys at home still.
James was admitted into the Prexley residence, where he learned that Isabel was at home and Mr. Prexley was not. He supposed either would serve his purpose.
“James.” Isabel entered the room, looking fresh and attractive, something that might have brought him pleasure at one time.
“I am glad you have decided to call on me. You have not done so in an age, and I’ve had to wait to see you at public gatherings.
May I hope that we can put that little disagreement behind us? ”
James, unmoved by her attempt to be agreeable, came to the point. “I have news I must share.”
“News?” Isabel raised an eyebrow. She turned and gestured to the chairs. “Please sit, then.”
James did as he was bid and waited until she settled in her chair and gave her full attention. “I’ve received a letter from my father today, and it does not contain good tidings, I am afraid.”
“Oh.” Isabel’s expression was filled with concern.
“I hope you are not going to tell me that something has happened to your mother or another member of your family? That would be very hard on you.” She stopped suddenly.
“And it would delay our wedding, which neither of us could wish for. Oh, James, do put me out of my suspense.”
He shook his head. “All is well with my immediate family. It is only that my great-aunt has died—”
Isabel leaped to her feet, her worry changing to astonishment, then rapture in an instant.
She clasped her hands together. “Did she indeed? But that is not bad news! You will not be obliged to wait before we marry, then, for she is not an immediate relation. And you will have no need of the income from my father’s patients.
” She sent him a true smile. “We will be able to travel everywhere, and for as long as we like.”
She was about to resume her seat, but James stood as well. “The unfortunate news, Isabel,” he said gently, “is that my aunt has not left her fortune to me in the end. She left it to my brother.”
After a long moment of blank incomprehension, a look of dismay filled Isabel’s face. “But . . . but how can that be? You said she did not like your father and did not wish for his heir to receive any part of her fortune. I thought your inheritance was a certainty.”
A hard edge tinted his voice when he answered. “You always knew that it was no sure thing, Isabel. I never concealed from you that you would have to take me for me and not for my inheritance, for it was only an expectation.”
Isabel strode to the other side of the room and turned to face him, her dismay turning to anger. “Yes, but now you are poor. I do think you engaged me under false pretenses, for you had practically assured my father that this inheritance was to be yours. You showed him a copy of the will.”
Yes, he had done so. For the rest of James’s life, he would never allow himself to forget that he could be capable of great foolishness.
He had proof of it in that moment of madness, which she had thrown back at him.
However, foolishness could be remedied; one had only to choose a different path.
He brought his gaze to her; he would choose a different path now. Would she?
“You do have the option to break off the engagement,” he said quietly. “You don’t have to go through with the marriage if it is distasteful to you. I will release you from the promise, if you wish for it.”
“But then what will everyone say of me?” she shot back, her brows lowered. “It will be embarrassing. Everyone will be talking of it.”
“The choice is yours, though. If you would like to end the betrothal, I will do everything in my power to keep your reputation intact.”
Isabel frowned and bit her lip, and he could see her calculating.
It would not be difficult for her to say no, and then he would be free.
Free to pursue Amy. For the first time he dared to imagine marrying Amy and making his life with her.
Amy, who was kind and steady and loyal, who was faithful and forgiving.
Amy, who made his heart beat in a way no other woman ever had.
Isabel looked up, her mouth pinched. “Impossible.” She shook her head. “I cannot bear the scandal. I will not break off the engagement, and you had better not think of it either.”
The words came to James in a fog; his mind refused to believe it. She clung to him still!
At once, his future darkened. The brief hope he’d had that something good would happen at last slid into the chasm that gaped before him and disappeared. She would not cry off. He shook his head, swallowing his disappointment. There was nothing left, no other feeling than his eagerness to be gone.
“As you wish. I will bid you good day, then.” He bowed curtly and turned to go.