Isobel blushed and lowered her gaze. One blunt fingertip gently tipped her chin upwards until her gaze met his once more. “I promise I shall be back as soon as I possibly can.”
“Promise me that you will remain safe,” Isobel demanded with a sudden rush of emotion so strong, she had to blink tears from her eyes.
“I shall be fine. I have Peter at my back, so do not fear. When I do return we need to talk about the future, my dear. I have already taken liberties with you that I shouldn’t have, especially knowing I depart today.” His voice was sterner than he would have liked, but Dominic couldn’t stop now. “Although there is no time to make anything official, I do expect you to remain mindful of what happened between us last night. I do not expect you to remain at home each night. However I will not countenance you encouraging the suit of another.” His gaze was possessive as his eyes met hers.
“I promise you Dominic,” Isobel replied softly, “I shall wait for you for as long as need be.”
Isobel sighed fondly at the memory of the simple, almost innocent joy of their first time together.
If only the rest of her life since had been so easy. Everything went wrong that following morning.
Dominic arrived as promised shortly after breakfast. Dressed in riding breeches, his clothing had been chosen to blend in with locals. His fine cotton shirt had been replaced by a coarser, duller version. His highly polished boots exchanged for work roughened ones. Even Brutus, his trusted mount, had been banished to the pasture, replaced by one Isobel had never seen before.
Eagerly she swept down the large oak staircase at Willowbrook, holding the precious memories against her heart with a feminine pride and delight that practically shone from her gently flushed face. With unladylike speed she burst into the library to find the object of her affections standing deep in quiet conversation with Peter. The smile that had suffused her face slowly disappeared as she took in his stern countenance. He didn’t return her smile. No joy or emotion showed on his features at all as he studied her.
A frown marred her brow as she carefully approached the men, casting a quick glance at her brother. Whatever they had been discussing was serious as he looked as stern as Dominic. Had he told him?
“Hello, Dominic. Can I offer you tea before you go?” Inwardly she screamed questions at him she couldn’t put a voice to.
“Sorry Isobel, we don’t have the time. We need to go within a few minutes.” Peter replied donning his rough workman’s coat.
It hadn’t struck Isobel exactly what they were going to until now. With a sinking heart she tried to capture Dominic’s gaze but he refused to look at her, instead watching Peter with studious intent.
Did he regret what had happened? Certainly she had provoked him, but he had certainly been willing despite his initial reluctance. Why was he being so vague now? Had what they shared meant nothing to him?
Her heart leapt in her throat as Dominic turned towards her, only for it to be deflated again at his steady, almost emotionless regard.
“While Peter is away, I fully understand you will be under the protection of Elspeth. I would like your promise that should anything untoward happen while I am away, you must contact my man of business at Havistock Hall without delay. He has been instructed to assist you in any way possible should you contact him. Will you?” Dominic’s gaze was almost brotherly as it studied her carefully.
Isobel felt tears sting her eyes as sudden doubts about last night began to bubble and swirl inside her.
Unable to speak past the huge lump of hurt pride in her throat, Isobel mutely nodded and moved towards the fireplace, reluctant to allow him to see just how much his coldness was hurting her. Pride demanded that she keep her emotions in check and wave them off with a smile, the tears would come later.
Taking a few moments to compose herself as soon as the men had moved into the hall, Isobel swiped the moisture from her eyes, and with the bravado of a general marching to battle, entered the hall with a shaky smile on her face.
She was unsurprised when instead of pressing a cool kiss to the back of her hand, he bowed politely as though she was nothing more than a mere acquaintance and departed through the front door. Peter swept her into a bear hug, assuring her that they would return as soon as they could. Pressing a kiss to her cheek he too departed leaving Isobel to stand alone and bereft in the hall.
Isobel had watched the men ride down the driveway and out of her life before letting the tears flow.
Putting aside the bittersweet memories, Isobel swiped the tears from her
cheeks. She didn’t hear the door to the bedroom open, or see Dominic enter the bedroom quietly.
“What upsets you so?” he asked, moving to stand beside her. He hated to see women cry at the best of times, but Isobel’s tears practically unmanned him. They made him feel uncertain and helpless, and he didn’t like it.
Shaken by the raw emotion memories of that last morning, Isobel knew that if they were to have any future together, she needed to understand. Reluctantly she turned sideways in the window seat to face him, accepting the handkerchief he held out to her with a small smile. Quietly he sat on the bed to face her, fully aware of the shimmering tension between them.
“Do you have any regrets about our first time together?” Isobel asked, watching his face carefully.
Dominic considered the floor by his feet for a moment. He knew this was one of the main reasons for her reluctance to marry him, and his answer could have a significant impact upon his future happiness.
“I regret that our first time together was in the barn. It should have been in a nice soft bed. Somewhere warm,” Dominic replied honestly. “Where I didn’t have to walk you through the cold morning air and leave you on the doorstep before dawn.”
“Why were you so distant with me later that morning when you came to say good-bye?” The question was out before Isobel could hold it back. The hurt in her voice was clear to Dominic and he knew this was the reason behind her tears.
“I wasn’t angry.” He paused briefly, and frowned. “I was worried.”
“Worried?” Her voice rose in query.