2. Roman
Ihad a good night’s sleep for the first time in years. Knowing Isabel was safe and coming to Belmont Manor had everything to do with that.
When I stepped into the office, hair still wet from my shower, I immediately made my way to the window, where I’d have a perfect view as the SUV dropped Isabel off out front.
But fifteen minutes passed without a message from the gate guard, or any sign of the Navigator. Uneasiness wrinkled my even temper. What if Isabel had decided to ditch Belmont Manor and return to Le Petite Chateau, the very plan I’d so frantically set in motion just a few days ago?
Seconds before a turbulent mood took me hostage, a message pinged on my phone. The Lincoln Navigator with Isabel was at the gate. But even then, relief only coursed through me when I glimpsed the SUV as it came down the long drive and passed between the moss-draped oaks, sun glinting off the windows.
My heartbeat picked up, and I found myself barely able to resist a smile.
My thoughts circled around the improbability of it all. There was simply no logical explanation as to how this was possible, and I was tempted to blame it on some sort of design by the Universe. Which was staggering for someone like me, with an infinitesimal tolerance for the mystical aspects of life.
Still, it was difficult to fathom that something as random as fate had propelled Isabel into my life, much less defied the odds against keeping her in my world. But even if all of it was merely a combination of choices made by the two of us, her presence here, in this house, was incredible.
As was the fact that at this very moment, my inaccessible heart was being held captive in the back of that SUV.
I expected a short, no-frills drop-off. And that Isabel might be visible for a few seconds, a vision I hoped would last for as long as it took me to decide what to do about this sudden splendor crossing my threshold.
But apparently, this wasn’t a normal drop-off.
As the Navigator pulled up to the front door, Nelson, the usually stuffy house manager, trotted down the stairs and met the approaching vehicle with a beaming smile. And when the Navigator stopped, George, the usually stodgy driver, leaped from the driver’s seat and sprinted around the SUV to open the back door.
I had to chuckle at the informal, cheerful gathering inspired by the nymph’s arrival.
Even if I was fully prepared to see Isabel, I wasn’t even close to being ready for the effect that would have on me. As she stepped from the SUV, an electric jolt coursed through me. A breeze found her, and as she held her face up for the air to sweep back loose strands from her cheeks, the sun singled her out and she was saturated in a ray of golden light.
I couldn’t breathe.
I’d seen that face in moments of unbridled pleasure. And I’d seen that face expressing deep despair. But at this moment, when Isabel seemed so carefree and happy, she was absolutely breathtaking, and I’d never seen anything more beautiful.
She carried a confectionary box, and waved a charming goodbye to George. Then she greeted Nelson with a smile that could power a city. The resolve it took not to rush to her side and sweep her into the south wing threatened to break me at any moment.
This inexplicable feeling flowing through my veins had no common sense, no care about what would be good for the empire. The fact that I was now trying to circumvent the carefully laid-out plans for the future confirmed how far I’d come down the rabbit hole.
I was astonished that my new reality was all tied up in that one slender bundle of loveliness. Affection, desire and relief for her safety competed for equal rights inside me. If I thought seeing her would lessen these growing feelings, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
My initial decision to stay away from her so bravely entertained, came rushing back, begging for reconsideration. But there was no way to spring my presence in this house on her without some careful planning. Some apologies were in the cards too.
That was to say running into me wasn’t the last thing she wanted to do.
I remained at the window until she left my sight, and then returned to my desk. The knowledge that Isabel was safe, in my house and under my wing, gave me comfort. But otherwise, knowing she’d be so close wasn’t doing me a great deal of good.
Even during the harrowing board meeting yesterday, I found scattered moments to reminisce about our night in the penthouse. Which surprised me. My staunch focus on the business has always been unrivaled, and yet memories of Isabel managed to worm their way in during those grueling five hours, and no amount of self-discipline could wipe the memory slate clean.
I couldn’t begin to imagine how taxing it would be on my focus, knowing she was in the same house. And that this, admiring her from the second floor while she was dropped off and picked up, was what I had to be satisfied with. For now at least.
I needed something more, and short of neglecting the empire and becoming a stalker, my options were limited.
Any warm feelings I had abruptly evaporated when I received a message saying the board wanted to convene for another meeting. There was a moment where I fantasized about them finding me incompetent to lead the trust. Leaving me free to pursue a lesser role and lead a more normal life.
But I was fully aware that was mere fantasy. The board probably had a few more questions, things I could answer in my sleep. I set up a virtual meeting for thirty minutes from now. The sooner I got this over and done with, the better.