The Unlikely Lady (Playful Brides #3)(81)
She’d done it. She’d found it. Now she needed to get out of here.
Closing her eyes and briefly saying a prayer, just in case there was a heaven, Jane gathered up the large stack of letters, placed them back in the box, and replaced it in the drawer. She shut the drawer, grabbed the letter, and jumped to her feet.
The door to the room cracked open and Isabella Langford sauntered in.
The beautiful widow narrowed her eyes and put her hands on her hips. “Miss Lowndes, explain yourself. What are you doing in my future husband’s study?”
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Garrett bounded up the stairs to his town house and flung open the door. He’d sent Isabella a note earlier, asking her to meet him here. Unfortunately, he’d been detained at his solicitor’s office.
He didn’t slow as he made his way toward his study, the dogs jumping at his heels. “Cartwright, is Mrs. Langford in the study?”
“She is, sir.”
“Has she been waiting long?”
“Not very, sir. And, sir?” The butler cleared his throat.
Garrett stopped and turned to face him. “Yes?”
“Miss Lowndes just left.”
Garrett blinked. “Miss Lowndes was here?”
“Yes, sir. She came to have a look at the library again.”
“Ah, I trust you made her comfortable.”
“I did, sir. Tea and cakes were served immediately upon her arrival.”
Garrett had to smile. He was sorry he’d missed Jane, but it was probably for the best. What he had to say to Isabella needed to be said in private.
“Thank you, Cartwright. That will be all for now.”
Garrett continued his brisk pace down the corridor to the study, opened the door, and marched inside. Isabella sat on the settee, a cup of tea suspended in her hand. The moment she saw Garrett, she turned to face him. “There you are. I’ve been waiting.”
“No teacakes?”
“I never eat those things. They’re bad for my figure.”
They were quite good for Miss Lowndes’s figure. A devilish grin spread across his face. “I see.”
“Why was Jane Lowndes in this house when I arrived?” Isabella demanded.
Garrett managed to keep his voice steady. “Miss Lowndes is welcome to use my library at any time.”
“That will change once we’re married.”
“No it won’t.”
Isabella’s jaw tightened but her voice softened and she pretended to smile. “We can discuss it later, after the wedding.”
“There’s not going to be any wedding, Isabella.”
Her teacup clattered to the saucer. “Not going to be—” A questioning look spread across her face, part fear, part confusion. “Are you saying you’d prefer to marry by special license? That can easily be arranged. I know someone who—”
“No, that’s not what I mean.” Garrett took a deep breath. “I have made mistakes in my life. More than one. Some more grievous than others. I’ll never forget the day Harold died, and I will always honor him and thank him. I can never repay him. It’s not possible.”
Isabella’s brows had snapped together over her pale, green eyes. She watched him carefully. “Yes, you can repay him. You can repay him by marrying me.”
“Our marriage will not bring back Harold. I refuse to compound one mistake with another. We’d make each other miserable, Isabella. We cannot marry.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You cannot be serious. You’re tossing me over?”
“We haven’t formally announced our engagement. There will be little talk.”
“But … I’ve begun planning. I—”
“I’m sorry, Isabella. Don’t worry. I’ll ensure you and the children are looked after financially until the bill passes in Parliament.”
“The bill?”
“The one Swifdon and Claringdon are sponsoring to ensure the families of the dead and wounded are provided for.”
Her mouth turned into a white line. “A pension from the government cannot keep me in the manner to which I’ve grown accustomed. How can you do this? What about Harold’s letter? What about the baby?”
“The baby belongs to your footman, Boris, doesn’t it? He should do the honorable thing and marry you.”
Her face paled to match her lips. “You expect me to marry a footman?” She sneered. Her eyes narrowed to tiny slits. “Harold would turn over in his grave if he knew you were abandoning us.”
Her words hurt, as Garrett had expected them to, but he no longer felt the wrenching guilt. “If you ever need anything monetarily for the children, all you need do is send me a note.”
“That’s it? You plan to foist us off with a promise based on a note? You have no honor, Garrett Upton!”
Garrett winced and clenched his jaw. It was the most hurtful thing she could say to him. He’d also been prepared for that. “I shall always do right by you and by the children, for Harold’s sake. You have my word.”
“Your word is as good as dirt,” she spat.
“I’m sorry you feel that way. But it does not change my mind.”
She set down her teacup and stood. Moving toward him, she held out her palms in supplication. “Please, Garrett.” Her voice had turned wheedling. “Please marry me.”