“The scar has been of use a few times,” she answered with a sly smile. “It has discouraged suitors who believed I had been ruined. Old men like to believe the worst.”
He shook his head at her words. “When they noticed the scar, you must have given some details of what happened in the meadow that day for them to think that.”
When Isabel shrugged, Chetwynd changed the subject. “The road to Aachen is long and dangerous, my lady. It’s a hard journey for seasoned travelers. I understand you have never been away from Narbonne. I believe you should wait for a group that will take a more leisurely journey.” He hoped logic would work better than the anger of their argument in the dining hall.
“You are exaggerating the danger because you don’t want the inconvenience of taking me with you. There are several women in your group. I’m sure I can travel as well as they do.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about. Why did you lie about taking religious orders?” he demanded, giving up his attempt at logic.
“The only reason I said that was because I was afraid you would believe I was pursuing you. It was clear that my grandmother was pushing us together. She is always hoping to find me a husband. I want to go for my own reasons, and they have nothing to do with finding a husband.”
Chetwynd sighed. How had he managed to get himself so tangled up? He knew Justin wished to have her join him in Aachen, and now he was arguing against taking her. But Isabel was an intriguing, beautiful woman, and for this reason he was reluctant to have her on the journey. His experience taught him to be cautious of seemingly innocent maids. He recalled that Theresa had been twelve and of noble birth when she arrived at his father’s manor to be tutored with his sister. She and Chetwynd had become involved in some lessons of their own in the woods behind the manor house. In love for the first time, he had believed they were destined for one another. When he went off to be educated, she had vowed her love and promised to wait for him.
Chetwynd was a third son, without prospects of an inheritance. Idealistic as he was, he assumed this would not matter to Theresa. He had been proven wrong. He was unaware that his father also had his eye on the young woman. While Chetwynd was away, his mother died giving birth to her seventh child. Theresa had been quick to accept his father’s proposal of marriage. When she later told Chetwynd her marriage to his father need not end their love affair, Chetwynd fled his father’s estate to seek his fortune as a soldier.
Isabel was the innocent he had rescued, but he remembered her movements in the water when she thought no one was watching. Her relaxed sensuality as she moved her hands over her breasts was a great contrast to the frightened woman who entered the great hall. Although the lady was wary of soldiers, that didn’t mean she feared all men. He knew it made no sense, but the fact that Isabel was no longer the innocent he remembered disappointed him greatly.
Lost in their own thoughts, neither one of them had noticed Lady Winifred’s approach. When she spoke up, they were both startled and quickly stood up to face her.
“I followed you because I heard Isabel ask you to take her to her brother,” she explained. “It was bold of her to ask, and you were correct to refuse. But I think it’s a good idea, Lord Chetwynd. Circumstances have kept her at Narbonne Manor. But it’s time for her to leave home and build a life elsewhere.”
Chetwynd frowned, surprised at her words. He remembered that his own grandmother was the only person who didn’t want him to leave his home. “It would be a dangerous journey for a lady,” he replied. Then he thought of a new argument that might work with Lady Winifred. “As she is unmarried, Lady Isabel’s reputation would be at risk. I’m sure Lord Theodoric would understand the problem and not approve the plan.”
Isabel had either given up her suit or was just opposed to any suggestion her grandmother might make. “Lord Chetwynd is right, Gran-mere. Father will never approve of my leaving Narbonne unless it’s to join a nunnery.”
“Yes, I understand the problem,” Lady Winifred replied. “Your father would, of course, object to your traveling with a troop of soldiers. But I have a proposal that is sure to overcome your father’s objections. Lord Theodoric wants to see you settled and safe, which is why he urges a religious vocation. He would believe his objective accomplished if you were to marry Lord Chetwynd.”
Quiet followed her words. Her grandmother’s frank proposal had silenced the blushing Isabel. Just as disconcerted, Chetwynd realized his own words had trapped him. He wondered at Lady Winifred’s bold suggestion. Marriage arrangements were usually worked out between the men of the family, although he wasn’t naive enough to think that women played no role.
When there was no response, Lady Winifred explained, “Isabel does not have many options. Several opportunities to wed have already been missed. She is past the age to make an advantageous marriage . . .”
Isabel quickly interrupted her. “Lady Winifred, Lord Chetwynd is not interested in my marriage prospects.”
Ignoring her outburst, Lady Winifred continued, “Now, what about you, Lord Chetwynd? You are a man of good fortune, at an age when it is desirable to start a family. I imagine there has been pressure on you to wed.”
Chetwynd hesitated, wondering if he should say he had taken a vow of chastity, but that reminded him of Isabel’s lie about taking religious orders. He was beginning to have sympathy for Isabel and could understand Justin’s desire to get her away from Narbonne. “Yes, it has been suggested more than once
