Page 65 of My Duke, The Stranger
Marianne was more circumspect, but even she was unable to hide her awe. And she looked often at Isolde, noting the gown, her hair, and makeup, always with an expression that looked as if she expected to wake up at any moment.
There was a table set in the back of the garden for them, under a tree for shade, and laden with sweetmeats and tea. Thomas did not hesitate to shove the treats into his mouth, and Marianne sipped the tea as if she expected it to be some kind of trick.
“How is Father?” Isolde asked her sister. “Is he well?”
“He is the same,” she said. “He misses you.”
“As I miss him. But I promise that things will soon improve, Marianne. For all of us.”
“That is what he said,” she said warily. “Only… well… things don’t usually change, do they? I know you said they do, but I know they won’t.”
“Look around you, Marianne,” Isolde laughed. “They have changed.”
“For you, maybe,” she said with a pout.
Isolde winced with guilt. She had been so focused on Cassian and her role here that she had completely forgotten to do as she had promised— the very reason she had done all of this in the first place. But that would change. Today, everything was going to change.
“So, tell me everything that I have missed.” Isolde pulled Thomas onto her lap. “Leave nothing out.”
For the next hour, Isolde and her siblings spoke about everything and nothing. It was so easy, so effortless, and it reminded her of how things used to be. They laughed. They made jokes. They teased one another. As hard as things had been of late, it was nice to be reminded that there would always be people in this world who loved her.
However, it was as Marianne started to tell Isolde about a book that she was trying to read but struggling with that Thomas’ eyes turned wide as he looked over her shoulder.
Isolde noticed it immediately, and she realized the cause. He was looking past her, toward the manor, and she smirked because it was time to finally see if her plan might work.
“Is that… is he…” Thomas stammered and pointed.
Isolde turned to find Cassian crossing the garden toward them. She had made Mr. Pemberton promise to tell Cassian of her siblings’ arrival, as she had asked that he insist Cassian come and greet them.
“Ah, yes, I see you have found my husband…” Slowly, she rose from her seat and made her way toward Cassian.
He looked more nervous than she expected. His eyes flicked between Thomas and Marianne as if he had never seen children before. And when he reached the table, he stopped short, careful not to get too close.
“Cassian…” Isolde reached him, and then, without waiting for permission, she took his hand. He started at the gesture, and she lifted an eyebrow at him as if to warn him against pulling away. “I would like for you to meet my brother and sister. Thomas, Marianne, come and meet His Grace.”
“Please…” His voice cracked. “You may call me Cassian.”
Thomas approached Cassian nervously. As small as he was, he had to crane his neck up to find Cassian’s face. “Are you really a duke?” Thomas asked.
“Of course he is,” Marianne scoffed.
“I am,” Cassian said seriously.
“You’re so… big,” Thomas gaped.
Cassian frowned. “I… perhaps you are just small?”
“It is nice to meet you.” Marianne stayed back as if with worry.
“I assure you that the pleasure is all mine,” Cassian said with a slight smile. “I wished to make my greetings as your sister is…” He hesitated, forming the words slowly in his mouth. “She is dear to me, and the two of you are…” He exhaled. “You are family.”
“We are?” Thomas blinked.
Isolde laughed. “Of course you are.”
“I should go…” Cassian gently pulled on her hand.
“You’re going?” Thomas pouted. “No! Stay. Why do you have to go?”
