Page 83 of My Duke, The Stranger
Isolde had spent so long wondering to herself how she felt about Cassian. Mostly, she felt guilty because of what she had done, reasoning that it did not matter what she felt. Then she doubted her feelings, certain they were borne from her need to survive, or that she did not deserve them. Time and time again, whenever the question arose, she found a reason to deny that which was so obvious.
Now, as she looked into the eyes of Cassian, as she saw without question the love that he held for her, she knew the truth of her own feelings as she never had before. She just wished she had not been such a fool, so that she might have seen them earlier.
He had saved her. He had done more than she deserved or could dream. He was everything she wanted, believed, and told him he could be. And while she would spend the rest of her life trying to prove to him that she deserved his love, it was a life that she looked forward to living.
“Of course I will marry you,” she said, her voice cracking. “And while it might be obvious, I feel that it should be said.” Her chin wobbled and she sniffed back tears. “I love you, Cassian. And that is the truth.”
No one clapped. No one cheered. No one looked particularly happy about what they saw and heard. But that mattered not.
Cassian pulled Isolde forward and wrapped her in his arms. She embraced him back, holding him so close that she never wanted to let go. As they hugged, she wept, and she did not care thatpeople saw. In fact, she did not care about anyone… save for Cassian.
From the way he held her, she knew he felt the same. In love. Together forever. A happy ending that she did not deserve, but would accept, nonetheless.
Thirty-Four
Isolde’s father appeared remarkably healthy compared to the last time that she had seen him. He was no longer confined to his bed and was able to make his way outside and sit on the front porch to enjoy the midday sun. She liked to think that somehow, the good news that had found her had also helped to heal him.
However, despite how much better he looked, that did nothing to alleviate the shock that settled on his aged face when Isolde told him what she had learned.
“That is…” He blinked several times. “That is not possible.”
She laughed. “I assure you, Father, it is the truth. Cassian has shown me proof, so there can be no doubt.”
“The daughter of an earl…” His brow furrowed as he reckoned with the news. “She… she never said anything. Although rarely did she speak of her past.”
“Now you know why.”
“It…” A shake of the head. “She was always well spoken. Educated too. I just assumed that she had grown up in a lord’s home. That he was who she was running from.” Then he laughed. “It is just like your mother, really. Even in death, she still has the ability to surprise me.”
“You know what this means, yes?”
“I can gather,” he said. “Your marriage to His Grace stands.”
“Well, we will have to remarry. But yes, he will remain as my husband.”
“And no lies this time,” he said with a smile. “Oh, that is good news. I might not have shown it, but I was so worried about you, Isolde. The last time I saw you…” A shake of the head. “You were broken in a way I had never seen before. But no more.”
“It means more than that.” She crouched down in front of him and rested her hands on his knees. “Thomas and Marianne are also of noble birth, Father. And because they are, we no longer need to hide them.”
“They will be so thrilled. Thomas, especially. He has been going on nonstop about when he can visit again. I cannot wait to tell him.”
“He will be doing more than visiting,” she laughed.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, come now…” She looked pointedly at him. “You cannot expect them to grow up here. Propriety and everything demand they are raised in a proper home.” She winked. “And as my father, the same will be said for you.”
“Isolde…” He leaned back.
“You are to move in with Cassian and me at once,” she said firmly. “No arguments. There, you will get the best care available. And there, Thomas and Marianne will have a chance at a real future.”
“What of the parish?”
“We will find someone to take over,” she assured him. She’d had this conversation with Cassian last evening, and he was willing to do whatever was needed. “But only after we fix this place up. It is high time it was given a good refurbishment, and I expect you to take a hand in it.”
Her father said nothing at first. He just looked at his daughter as if he did not understand what she was saying. But then tears found his eyes, followed by a smile on his face, and he laughed with joy.
“Our lives are going to change, Father,” she assured him. “For the better this time.”
