Page 65 of A Bride for the Heartless Duke
“Sweetheart, youplainlydo if you believe running away is a sensible course.” Marie glanced toward her gentleman with unmistakable fondness.
He snapped a slight bow in Nicholas’s direction.
“Winchester.”
“Chant.”
Marie clapped her hands. “You see! I knew you would get along.”
Isadora looked between the two of them, confused. “You know this gentleman, Nicholas?”
“This is Oliver Chant, Marie’s suitor.” Nicholas turned slightly. “Oliver, my wife, Isadora.”
Oliver bowed at once, the gesture possessing an easy elegance. “It is a pleasure to meet you at last, Your Grace.”
Isadora glanced between him and Marie. If they were courting, and if Nicholas had already acknowledged Oliver as an aspirant to Marie’s hand, then no doubt this would be a long-standing relationship, and they would be seeing each other often. She smiled. “A pleasure, sir—but please, call me Isadora.”
“Then you must call me Oliver,” he said with fetching gallantry.
Isadora would never exchange Nicholas for another gentleman, but she could understand the appeal of a man such as this, with such easy, charming manners. Marie would have a good future ahead of her if she fell in love with him—particularly when he seemed so very taken with her. And, promisingly, Nicholas also seemed to approve of Oliver.
Nicholas turned his attention to Sophia, standing sullenly beside Marie. “Now,” he said, his voice very even and controlled, “might you explain whatyouare doing here?”
Sophia’s defiance flickered very slightly. They were in public, and Isadora could practically see the way the girl reached for her public identity; one of a girl of years far beyond her own, who would never disappoint her father or speak back—or admit to wrongdoing.
Isadora put a hand on Nicholas’s arm. “Perhaps we could call for the carriage?” she suggested.
Nicholas looked down at her, and she thought for a moment he might reject her suggestion, but after a moment, he nodded. “Do you need accompanying home, Marie?”
“Not in the least,” his sister assured him. “I have Mr. Chant by my side, and I am more than happy to while away the afternoon in his company. My maid is chaperoning me, as you see.” She waved a vague hand behind her at a bored-looking maid.
“I see at least one of you is thoroughly enjoying themselves,” Nicholas said dryly. “Very well, far be it from me to ruin your afternoon. Sophia, come. We are returning home.”
Isadora smiled at Oliver. “I hope to see you again soon.”
“I have hopes we will.” He smiled at her, boyish and handsome, and the two parties split.
Isadora took hold of Sophia, ensuring the girl could not be separated from them in the crowd. Nicholas followed behind them, his anger tangible. It did not take them long to reach the inn where their carriage awaited, and they made their way home.
Silence bloomed between them all. Sophia did not seem inclined to say a thing, and Nicholas kept his peace until they were finally home.
Only then, once they were inside, did he pin Sophia to the floor with his gaze. “Explain.”
“Were you separated from us by the crowd?” Isadora asked. “If something like that happens, you know you can yell out for us.”
Sophia blinked. Her bottom lip quivered. Here, she looked every inch her eight years and not a day older. She clasped her hands by her stomach and looked at the floor. “No, I… I went away myself,” she admitted, her voice small.
Nicholas inhaled sharply, but once again, his voice was perfectly steady when he asked, “Why?”
“You were fighting before. So I wanted you to spend more time alone.”
“Sophia,” Isadora said, shocked. “Just because we like spending time together doesn’t mean we don’t like spending time with you.Youare our family above all. Don’t you agree, Nicholas?”
“I do. Howeverwefeel is our responsibility, not yours, sweetie. You should never feel as though you need to make yourself small in order to allow others to grow. That is not what family means.”
“I married Nicholas so I could have a family,” Isadora added, crouching down to Sophia’s level. “And family includes you. Familyisyou, Nicholas, and me all together. We went out for ices because we wanted to spend timetogether. All three of us.” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “When your Papa and I want to spend time together, we will find a way that doesn’t involve leaving you behind. As far as I am concerned, I’m your blood, and you are mine.” She opened her arms, and Sophia ran into them, her small shoulders shaking.
“I just want you and Papa to be happy.”
