It felt odd entering the ballroom on the arm of the most powerful man there, Isabella mused, as they made their way back into the crowded space. Eyes followed them as they approached the dance floor. Moving to the center, Alexander then took her in his arms for the second time that night. She had not become accustomed to his closeness and so she instinctively blushed as he moved his hand from her narrow waist to the small of her back. Applying pressure there, he moved her even closer to his wide muscular frame. Dipping his head he whispered "I could get used to this". His warm breath kissed her ear and she shivered in response. Alexander observed the slight reaction and ginned "you are far too responsive..." He paused then and his eyes bored into hers, desire evident in their smoky depths.
Alexander could not keep his eyes off her, it was as if they were the only two people in the vast space and he reveled in the feeling. Her cheeks were blushed with the most becoming pink and her eyes sparkled in the candlelight as he stared down at her and moved her through the steps of the dance. His heartbeat had quickened and he could tell she was experiencing a similar affect. Every time they were close it was as if an electric charge fizzled between them, inexorably trying to pull them closer.
The dance came to end with a crescendo of violins and Alexander quickly tucked Isabella's hand onto the crook of his arm and moved toward the open terrace doors. She wondered what his intentions were, and from the determined set of his eyes she knew it was fruitless to inquire. Regardless, she acknowledged that she would follow him anywhere, if only he would stare at her in that way that made her heart skip and her stomach flutter. They walked onto the darkened terrace and Isabella noticed that two men stood smoking in the night air. She watched as Alexander threw the men a foreboding look and they immediately snuffed their cigars and walked back inside, without saying a word. Turning his attention to Isabella, he took her hand in his and was about to move toward her when a familiar voice broke the silence "Ah Alex, I thought I saw you come out here" Isabella peered through the dim light to see none other than Lady Russell standing at the entrance to the terrace.
Quickly pulling her hand from Alexander's grasp, Isabella took a step backwards and hoped that she could not see the blush on her cheeks. A look of annoyance came over Alexander's features before he spoke "Do you require something aunt?" in a tone suffused with barely concealed anger. It was the first time that Isabella had seen him look so agitated and a feeling of uneasiness overcame her. "I will leave you..." Isabella said quietly before she made her way toward where Lady Russell was still standing. "Yes that might be best" Lady Russell said with a broken smile and proceeded to stare at her, clearly noticing her change of dress. At the same moment Alexander growled "that is not necessary". Isabella threw him an uneasy look before she continued to walk past Lady Russell and moved inside. Deciding to seek refuge in the ladies powder-room she made her way down a long corridor and entered the neutral coloured room.
Inhaling the scent of sweet perfume that hung in the air she noted the array of women who were idly chatting while applying generous amounts of makeup. Taking a deep breath she stared into the mirror and thought "Don't let her affect you". She quickly powdered her nose and was about to exit when a hand gripped her arm "Ah there you are, I have wanted to meet the woman who has enamoured his grace so" came Miss Spencer's voice. Isabella smiled weakly and tried to excuse herself before she continued "or should I say the servant who has enamoured him". Her eyes shone with glee at her final words and a pang of anger flooded through Isabella. She was tired of being the target of others spiteful words.
Embracing her anger she eyed Miss Spencer before saying "It seems you are mistaken, I am employed as the governess here, so I am no mere servant. I am also the daughter of Lord and Lady Bradford and as such I am an educated lady..." Giving a look of false sincerity Isabella continued "I have no idea what you mean by his grace being 'enamoured' of me. However, I have heard that in the past his fancies have strayed to a lower class of woman..." Isabella stared at her pointedly then and refused to be affected by the vicious scowl that Miss Spencer threw at her. While Isabella believed Alexander when he said that their affair was over, it still felt exhilarating to suggest to Miss Spencer that she knew of their past.
"You bitch!" she spat in a vehement whisper "Alex is mine, so you better stay away from him...and you a lady...don't make me laugh... I know all about your father! Being the daughter of a Lord doesn't mean a thing...all you are is destitute and desperate now!" A pang of pain mixed with anger shot through Isabella before she exclaimed "well at least I'm not a harlot, like you!" As soon as the words exploded from her mouth she regretted them instantly. She then noticed the shocked stares of both Miss Spencer and the other women that stood beside them. Giving Miss Spencer one last cutting look, she quickly left the powder-room before she had time to retaliate with another vitriol reply.
Her heart then began to beat wildly as her brain started to assimilate what had just happened. Feeling a constricting sensation in her chest she rushed toward the main entrance of the house and walked outside to take a large inhalation of breath. "I need to get away from here!" she suddenly thought. She could not face entering the house once more and encountering the wrath of either Miss Spencer or Lady Russell. The thought then hit her to escape to her cottage and with that a feeling a relief flooded her. She pondered that she could spend the night there and return after the guests' departure. Isabella had visited the cottage all but once to see what it was like, and she had been astonished at how cosy it was. Her bedroom had been decorated in warm pastel colours and the kitchen and living area were bright, airy and well furnished. It was a small dwelling, but to her, it now seemed like a refuge.
Isabella then spotted Beasley helping a lady into her carriage and quickly walked toward him "Beasley can I ask a favour of you? Could you escort me to my cottage, I feel that the bustle of the house will be too much for me to sleep there tonight" she lied. Beasley looked at her askance "Are ya sure that's wise miss? It's late and the cottage will likely be damp and cold!" "A fire will remedy that!" Isabella responded, refusing to let her plan disintegrate. She was determined to get away from the house, the thought of likely having to deal with more cruel words and curious stares making her act rashly and decisively. "I will not be dissuaded Beasley, so will you go with me?" she asked, knowing it would certainly be unwise to venture out on her own. "Right! Let me saddle a horse" he conceded after noting her defiant look.
Beasley returned and helped her to mount a grey mare. He then took the reins in one hand and held a lantern in the other as he walked into the dark night. They meandered along the narrow path that led to some of the estates nearby cottages and within twenty minutes they arrived at the small building. Isabella dismounted and moved toward a flowerpot near the door. Lifting it she took a brass key from beneath it and smiled at the small object in her hand. She had placed it there after her first visit and had hoped that no one would discover it. Admittedly she had left it as a precaution in case she ever needed an escape to the cottage, it was now a godsend.
Turning the key in the lock she entered the small dwelling and inhaled a musty smell, noting that indeed the cottage was damp from not being lived in during the winter months. Beasley looked at her oddly once more saying "Ya sure ya want to stay here Miss?". "Yes, it's just for tonight, I will light a fire and the place will be warm in no time!" she replied. "Ah let me Miss" came Beasley's voice before he entered the cottage and began to use the flame from the lantern he carried to light the coal and firewood in the hearth. Within no time it blazed into life, illuminating the room. Isabella then lit a candle from its flame and proceed to light the lanterns on the walls in turn, until the small living area was filled with light.
Smiling, she thanked Beasley for his help "I feel right at home now, I will return in the morning, thanks again". Beasley shrugged awkwardly before saying "Right ya are, well if ya have any bother, the Mc Guire's live just down the path, they are my first cousins. Tell em who ya are and they will help ya with antin ya need!".
"Thank you Beasley that is a comfort to know. Good night!" she replied. He exited the house and Isabella locked the door behind him as he went, a feeling of slight uneasiness then beginning to creep over.
Calming herself, she thought of the alternative and smiled "this is definitely more favourable". She did not feel tired enough to venture to her bedroom and sleep,so instead she took a novel from the book shelf entitled "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas and moved to sit on one of the cushioned armchairs. As she turned the brown tinted pages of the first chapter her eyes began to grow heavy. She then noticed that the clock on the mantelpiece provided the time to be 2.30 am. Closing the book, she was intending to make her way to bed when a loud knock came to the door, making her jump in response. Her heart beat loudly in her chest and her body froze in fear before a muffled voice spoke "It's me... Alexander...let me in!" Her heart did not return to its normal pace as she slowly removed herself from the chair and moved to open the creaky wooden door. "What the devil are you doing here?" Alexander growled as Isabella's eyes fell on his aggravated expression.