The Lass & The Baron_A Cinderella Story_Regency Fairytale Romance by Charity McColl

Author:Charity McColl [McColl, Charity]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PureRead
Published: 2016-10-23T04:00:00+00:00

The Battle Half Won

Now that Lord Spencer knew her whereabouts Isabelle felt returning home was feasible. She had been absent for a few days and nights. Her aunt and uncle inquired of neighbors and others as to where she was but with no luck. Edward voiced serious concerns the night before when he told Louisa that perhaps Lord Spencer had located her and whisked her away.

Louisa thrilled at the thought that they could somehow be connected closer with the Palace if that was indeed the case. She missed the importance she enjoyed while Isabelle’s father was alive and held high position at Court.

They sat down to eat their evening meal when they heard a neighbor exclaim.

“Everyone has been looking for you, Isabelle. Where have you been?”

“I have been doing charity work,” she said.

Smiling, she entered her home. The aroma of laden stew reached her nostrils and the pile of rolls tempted her. Louisa stood and hugged her. Her uncle’s expression told Isabelle he was glad to see her safe as well. Then Louisa’s face changed to her familiar stern look.

“You had us very worried, Isabelle. Where have you been? We were sure Lord Spencer found you and carried you off.”

Isabelle had decided to tell them everything. She dipped stew from the steaming pot and sat down with them. She began her story with how she daily took the orphans to salute the troops as they marched through town to Court. She ended with her encounter with Lord Spencer. She left out his invitation to ride with him.

Edward put his napkin down. “I did not believe he meant harm to you. He is a generous man after all in his actions toward those poor orphans.” He lifted his hand to stop his wife’s pending remarks. “They are not thieves. They are simply poor. We should have been doing more to help the Parson, and you know that as well, Louisa.”

She bowed her head as pink flooded her face. Her regret was not that she had not shown tolerance to the waifs but that she had not at least pretended to help them. If she had, she would be the one receiving favors from the Court through Lord Spencer.

It did not take long for word to rush through the town in regard to the outcome of events. Louisa started the tales with her most gossipy neighbors first and then let the news ripple throughout Brookwood. Every day after that, the crowds increased along the road when Lord Spencer passed through with his Troops. The children were back in their places. Isabelle accompanied them as before but stood farther back behind them. Her eyes never met Lord Spencer’s though he blatantly sought hers.

Once at the Palace, he spoke to Anthony. “I believe I have won only half the battle, Anthony. As of now Isabelle will not look at me. She has not come to the Stables to ride either. I have much persuading still to do.”

Anthony agreed. When he heard the story of Isabelle’s background he formed opinions of his own.

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