Chapter 21
Twenty-One
“I…” Isolde hesitated, her words catching in her throat.
Across from her sat Cassian, and not once since they had climbed into the carriage together had he looked at her.
In fact, the way that he sat with his body turned away suggested that he was pretending she wasn’t there at all.
His jaw was so set, his brow so furrowed.
Everything about his manner told her that he wished she were not.
Perhaps it is better to say nothing? Do not antagonize him or make things worse, Isolde!
Not that things could be worse. And they could certainly be better.
It had not escaped Isolde’s notice that Cassian had not said so much as a word to her since he dismissed her from supper two nights ago, and the only time that he looked at her was done with a glare so cold that she should have been grateful that he was set on ignoring her presence.
Again and again, Isolde was forced to remember that this marriage was for life, and if that life was to be at all comfortable, then she and Cassian needed to find a way to be around one another without it being so awkward.
With that in mind, Isolde straightened and faced her husband.
“I wanted to—”
“Do not bother,” he cut her off, still not looking. His voice was sharp, his expression cold.
“Excuse me?”
“Do not waste time apologizing,” he said as he stared out the window. “You have done so already, and laboring the point will make no difference. So, please, save your breath.”
“I…” She leaned back, struck by how harshly he had spoken to her. “I was not going to apologize.”
“You… you weren’t?” his voice cracked from surprise.
“No,” she said. “I was going to thank you.”
“What for?”
“For trusting me,” she said, offering a smile as if that might force some warmth into the carriage. “I know you do not want me here tonight, just as I know you would be far happier were I anywhere but near you. But that you trust me to do as I have promised…” Her smile remained. “Thank you.”
Cassian continued to stare out of the window, but she saw the confusion pass behind his eyes. He scowled. He clenched his jaw. He was angry and uninterested. But it was forced.
“Do not thank me,” he said finally. “And do not presume that this has anything to do with you. I invited you tonight because I have no choice in the matter.”
“You are a duke,” she said. “You always have a choice.”
“I do not,” he said sharply. “You would not be here otherwise.”
“Ah, yes,” she said, forcing her smile to remain because she was desperate to change the tone of this conversation. “Silly me. I am still new to such ways, the rules of this world. Forgive me for my ignorance.”
His eyes flicked toward her. She held her smile, and he looked away. Then, he shifted where he sat, turning his body further.
Isolde knew she should have kept her mouth shut, just as she knew that Cassian was forcing his actions. Perhaps he did hate her. Perhaps he would never forgive her. But his memories had not come back, so he was still the man she had gotten to know so well.
He is still that same kind, caring, generous man. One who loves to laugh, just as he loves to be loved…
“Although, it occurs to me that you are not much better,” she tried carefully, her tone light. “While Mr. Pemberton has spent the last two days training me, I wonder who has trained you?”
His brow furrowed, he shifted as if to say something but caught his tongue and looked away.
“With that in mind, if you need any help tonight, any advice on how to act, do not hesitate to ask me,” she said. “I know firsthand how strange this world is, so please let me know if it becomes overwhelming.”
She watched him across the carriage. The light from the moon shone across his face so that he had nowhere to hide. And while he held his scowl, while he continued to look uninterested, Isolde could have sworn that she saw the faintest hint of a smirk touch his lips.
It left them just as quickly. Maybe, she had imagined it? But Isolde took such a small thing as a good sign. Cassian was still there and while he hated what she had done, she needed to believe that he did not hate her completely.
That was, after all, the only way this marriage and her future might be saved.
“Should I…” Isolde hesitated when she and Cassian stepped out of the carriage together.
They had arrived at Mr. Brook’s London townhouse. It was a large residence, and once, Isolde might have gaped at its size because it was far bigger than anything she could have imagined herself living in. Now, it almost seemed small compared to her own home.
Waiting for them outside was a valet, and as soon as the doors opened, he rushed down the driveway to greet them. There were another four carriages lined up along the side of the road, suggesting that she and Isolde were the last to arrive.
This was expected, and Mr. Pemberton had told her that she and Cassian were the guests of honor so that when they walked inside, everyone would be there to greet them… as well as judge them as a newly married couple.
Cassian stood just ahead of her, as he had not helped her to climb down. But when she spoke, he looked at the valet, he hesitated, and then he turned back.
“Yes,” he said with a slight grimace. “You should…” He offered her his arm and raised an eyebrow at her.
It was an expected gesture and Isolde tried not to read too much into it. But she smiled warmly as she swept toward him, and her heart fluttered just a little as their arms linked and they came together.
“Your Grace.” The valet bowed deeply when he reached them. “Mr. Brooks and his guests await you inside.”
“Good,” Cassian said. “After you.”
Isolde could not help but smirk as she eyed Cassian. He was trying so hard to be the man he thought that he must be, rather than being himself. It did not suit him, even if it was who he once was, and she wondered just how much he struggled.
They walked down the short driveway together, arm-in-arm.
Above, the moon shone full, and in front the light from the residence lit the way.
Isolde was dressed in a dark blue gown of silk and the dress flowed behind her as the wind made her hair flutter.
Cassian wore a dark suit, he looked every inch the duke, and together they surely looked the part.
It was all for show, Isolde knew, but as they walked, she could not help but imagine how things might have been in slightly different circumstances.
If she who she had said, or had she not told him the truth, would they be laughing together right now?
Making jokes about how tedious this evening was sure to be?
Would she have finally started to feel for Cassian what she knew he had once felt for her?
I suppose I will never know, and that hurts more than I like to admit.
“Be sure not to speak unless spoken to,” Cassian said as they walked up the steps and towards the front door.
“I know it,” she said. “I wrote some jokes earlier, but I suppose it would be best if I do not use them.”
He frowned and looked at her as if he thought she was being serious.
“That was a joke,” she said with laughter. “The only one, I promise.”
He scowled and looked away, but once again, she could have sworn that she saw him smile.
They entered the residence together, where they were met by five other couples. Three of them were members of the gentry, Mr. Brooks and his wife included. The other two were members of the peerage, each a lord with his lady wife.
“Your Grace!” Mr. Brooks was middle-aged, grossly overweight, and sweated through his clothes as he hurried forward. “It is so good of you to join us. I cannot tell you how delighted I am.”
“I would not have missed it,” Cassian said simply. “Please, allow me to introduce you to my wife.”
“Charmed…” Isolde offered a small curtsey. “And thank you in advance for this evening.” She stayed linked to Cassian’s arm, refusing to let go unless he asked her to do so.
The next few minutes were spent on introductions. Isolde did as she was told, only speaking when spoken to, and never drawing attention to herself. As she did, she glanced at Cassian constantly, wanting him to see her, to notice how hard she tried.
“A drink, yes, before we dine?” Mr. Brooks announced to the small group. “Please, follow me.”
They did as asked, and it was only then that Isolde released her husband’s arm. That allowed her to fall back with the other wives, and they treated her much as their husbands had Cassian.
“We were so pleased that both of you could make it,” Mrs. Brooks told Isolde as they walked together. “Your wedding was the talk of London. So unexpected…”
“It ought not to have been,” Isolde said simply. “Although I can see why. Cassian was rather subtle in his courtship of me, not wanting to make a big thing of it. You know how people of this town are?”
“Don’t I ever,” Mrs. Brooks laughed.
“It is strange…” Lady Bridgerton spoke up. “That neither my husband nor I had heard of you until after the announcement was made. Whitmore… it is not a name I am familiar with.”
“My family hails from Scotland,” Isolde said. “We have fallen into hard times of late, but His Grace has been nothing but generous. Even before we fell in love, he was good to my family. For that, I will owe him always.”
She spoke politely, and just loud enough so that Cassian might hear.
Ahead, she noticed Cassian tilt his head and she thought he was about to turn back and scowl at her or say something.
He did not, which she took as a good sign.
Her words were true enough, even if they were a bit misleading.
Now that she was married to Cassian, her family would be taken care of forever and no matter what happened, she would owe him forever.
Isolde remained with the wives for that single drink.