Page 47 of No Place in Time

Benedict studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Of course.”

He summoned a servant to show Cecily to Isabel’s suite. Cecily followed without another word, aware of Benedict’s eyes on her as she crossed the hall.

Isabel’s chamber was just off the inner corridor. Cecily had barely crossed the threshold before Isabel hurried toward her, a strained look on her pale face.

“Cecily,” she said, her grip painfully tight. “Thank God you’ve come. I didn’t know who else to trust.”

“Isabel, what is it?” Cecily put a hand on Isabel’s shoulder.

Isabel’s words came out in a choked whisper. “Julian. He… he has ordered me to marry Benedict.”

Cecily could barely process the words. Her mouth fell open in shock.

“He told me this morning. After breakfast.” Isabel’s mouth trembled. “He said it as though it were already done. As though it were nothing.”

Isabel began to pace, then stopped abruptly, pressing her fingers to her temples.

“It isn’t right,” Isabel continued. “It can’t be. He has no title, except that which Julian bestowed on him. Father would never have approved of my marrying a commoner. I had hoped…” Isabel hesitated as her voice trembled and tears rolled down her cheeks. “I had hoped to marry a man of my rank, a man I could love and respect. Not this… pretender.”

Cecily took Isabel’s hands. Isabel allowed herself to be comforted for a moment, then she continued.

“I begged Julian to reconsider,” she said. “I told him it would shame the house. But he said Benedict has served him faithfully and that this will settle matters.”

“What matters?” Cecily asked.

Isabel gave a short, bitter laugh. “I don’t know. Perhaps Julian thinks giving him my hand in marriage will quiet the talk.”

“What talk?”

“You’ve heard, Cecily. Of Benedict acting above his station. Of him squandering our family’s wealth, as if Julian wasn’t doing that already.”

Cecily thought of Lord Alard’s calm pronouncements on her own future, made without her consent. She saw the same trapped look in Isabel’s eyes that she had once seen in her own reflection.

Cecily understood well how Isabel felt. Decisions were being made for her despite her protests.

“Have you spoken to Julian since?” Cecily asked.

Isabel looked away. “I haven’t been allowed to.”

Cecily’s mouth tightened. “Then I will.”

Isabel looked up. “He won’t see you.”

“Then he will have to refuse me to my face,” Cecily said.

Isabel’s hands clenched in her skirts. “He went back to bed after he spoke with me. Benedict said he drank too much last night.”

Cecily closed her eyes, a memory of Julian’s easy laugh at their first meeting rising unbidden. It was a ghost’s laugh now, drowned in wine. The man who had charmed her then would not have sold his sister to a man like Benedict.

After a moment, Cecily opened the door and called a servant. “Ask Lord Julian if I may speak with him.”

She turned back to Isabel, taking her hands firmly.

“Do not meet Benedict alone,” Cecily said. “Not once. Write to your kin, anyone with standing, and tell them this marriage is being forced. He expects you to be silent and afraid.”

Isabel’s face creased. “I am afraid, Cecily.”

“I know,” Cecily said. “But hold steady. I will speak with my uncle. Perhaps he will speak with Julian.”