“Towards the end, the beatings became less frequent, but he had begun to make noises about Bertram DeLisle coming to visit, and I needed to smarten myself up. He told me that he had sold me to DeLisle who was coming to inspect his goods.” Isobel frowned trying to remember any other details that might assist in the downfall of Rupert. “His manservant also informed the few servants who remained, that I was betrothed, and was due to leave soon to be wed to DeLisle. That is what prompted Kitty into action.”
“Kitty h
elped you escape.” It wasn’t a question, but Isobel nodded anyway and described the events on the night of her escape.
“Did Rupert ever threaten or beat Kitty?” Dominic was curious just how far Rupert had gone.
“No, as far as I am aware he didn’t touch her. I don’t think she was treated very nicely, but she didn’t complain of beatings. She wasn’t afraid of Rupert,” Isobel replied. “Did Rupert throw her out?”
“No he didn’t. Kitty left of her own accord during the night while Rupert and his men were looking for you. She eventually made her way back to Willowbrook.”
“Have you spoken to her?”
“Yes, when we were looking for you. I went to Aunt Elspeth’s house to check if you had turned up. Elspeth informed me of Kitty’s arrival and we questioned her. Kitty was relieved to learn I was alive and readily gave me the details of what had happened from her point of view.” Peter replied noting the paling of Isobel’s previously flushed countenance.
“If it hadn’t been for Kitty ...” Isobel left the statement open, knowing very well both men understood.
“We will ensure she is rewarded for her bravery my dear,” Dominic reassured her, his eyes soft as they rested upon her.
“Kitty has decided she would like to remain with Aunt Elspeth as a companion, and Elspeth is delighted with the prospect. Apparently she has fitted in extremely well after her ordeal, and has gained somewhat celebrity status for helping save you,” Peter added ruefully.
“What happened once you left the rose trellis? We know you disappeared into the night on your own.” The very idea of the risks she took still left Dominic cold. “Where did you go? How did you survive?”
“I had a purse of coins Peter had left me before he went away, and Kitty gave me another pouch of her savings. I must make sure she gets those back with a little extra.”
“I’ll see she gets it,” Dominic shared glance with Peter. Kitty would receive the funds, plus interest, along with an estate cottage at Willowbrook, an increase in salary and a job for as long as she wanted it. Both men had already discussed Kitty’s involvement in Isobel’s survival. They had agreed to ensure Kitty had everything necessary to make her life a lot more comfortable for her part in saving Isobel’s life.
“You were half starved when I found you,” he added bringing the conversation back to the matter at hand.
In the first few days of leaving Willowbrook, she had stolen apples and berries from orchards and gardens along the way until she had begun to feel ill from all the fruit. To her utter shame and remorse, she stole a chunk of bread from a loaf left cooling outside the kitchen door of a farmhouse. Although she had not been detected, and sheer hunger had driven her to commit such a crime, guilt had settled like a heavy weight in her stomach as she had eaten, and it had been a circumstance upon which she had not wished to repeat. Since then she had very carefully used the coins in her purse to purchase sparse food along the way, however, given the length of time she had been on her own, that had all been spent early on leaving her at a loss on how to survive.
Tears pooled in her eyes as she remembered the sense of desolation she had felt each day when she had awoken to find herself all alone in the world, with nothing but the clothing on her back.
“Don’t upset yourself my dear, ‘tis all over now.” Peter soothed when silence fell amongst the room.
Isobel shook her head. “But it isn’t really, is it? Rupert is still out there.” She pulled her shawl more tightly across her shoulders, as if the room temperature had suddenly dropped several degrees.
“Why didn’t you head straight here? Did you not remember what I told you that last time we met before we left for Norfolk?” Dominic’s voice was sharp.
“I remembered,” Isobel replied softly. “But as I said before, I needed to keep to country lanes and away from towns. My journey was on foot, and took me far longer than I had anticipated. The route was quite winding, and took me to places I didn’t really need to go. With needing to earn additional pennies to eat, I was travelling far longer than I had ever anticipated. However, there was no alternative.” It was suddenly very important that Dominic understand. “I didn’t know if Rupert was following me or not, but I just couldn’t take the chance.”
“Were you heading here when I found you?” Dominic leaned forwards, his elbows resting on his knees as tension rose within him.
“Yes I was. I couldn’t think of anywhere else to go; anyone else whom I could trust.” Her lips twisted into a grimace of a smile. “I was going to throw myself on your mercy, and beg for your assistance in getting to London secretly; preferably without your wife knowing.”
“His wife?” Peter’s brow rose in alarm.
“Rupert told her I had wed another as soon as we departed for Norfolk,” Dominic bit out, fighting to reign in his temper at the web of lies and destruction Rupert had left behind him.
“What?” Peter stared at Isobel in shock prompting Isobel to carefully explain Rupert’s satisfaction in telling her of Dominic’s betrayal.
“How in the hell do you think I could have quite casually married anyone else?” Dominic’s voice was chiding, and he shook his head at her regretfully at her lack of faith in him.
“I had no reason to doubt him. Given your distant behaviour the day you left for Norfolk, I knew something was wrong. I just didn’t know what, and you didn’t seem to want to take me into your confidence,” Isobel’s argued. “Rupert’s story seemed all that more plausible and made your promise to offer assistance should I need it, seem feebly offered.”
Dominic shook his head, his gaze meeting Peter’s steady stare. He knew Isobel had faced her ghosts head-on in an effort to help them. In reality she had imparted little that would help them in securing his arrest. However it did give everyone a better understanding of what she had been through, and what ghosts she had to vanquish to recover completely.
“We thought you were dead,” Peter broke the silence. At Isobel’s startled jump, he continued. “We were told you were dead, and shown your grave.”