Sarah curtsied, avoiding eye contact as she set the tray of pastries and tea on the low table by the couch. She roamed her gaze around the room, settling back on Izzy.
Izzy left her hiding place and stepped into the room. "Charles isn't here. He went to…"
"It's of no matter, my lady, what his grace has seen fit to do."
"Oh. Yes. Of course." This wasn't going well. They had to be somewhat close in age, but they were worlds apart. Izzy walked to the couch and sat down, mindful of the folds of the day dress she wore. She patted the couch cushion. "Won't you sit with me?"
Sarah widened her eyes, darting a glance toward the door. She lost much of the color in her face. "Oh, my lady, I—"
Izzy sighed. "I know. It's unseemly, or whatever. But there's something I'd like to ask you." She raised her eyebrows and waited. Sarah hesitated, gave another small curtsy and walked with slow steps to the couch. Izzy patted the cushion once more. "It's all right." She glanced down to the couch and back up. "Please."
"Of course, my lady." Sarah sat down carefully, perching on the edge of the furniture. If she sat any closer to the edge, Izzy would be scraping the maid off the floor.
"Sarah, I'd like to know you a little better."
The maid paled even more. "My lady?"
"Don't worry. You won't get in trouble with Charles. I'd just like to know you better, since it looks as if we may be spending some time together while I'm, well, here."
Sarah's hands trembled, but she nodded. "Yes, my lady."
Izzy pointed toward the bookshelf. "Do you like to read?"
Sarah shook her head. "No, my lady."
"Oh."
Sarah's face reddened. "You see, my lady, I c-can't read."
Izzy tilted her head. "What? Everyone should know how to read."
Sarah shrugged. "Wasn't important in my home. And I left so young to come here…"
"No one had the chance to teach you. Right?"
Sarah nodded.
"Well maybe I can fix that."
Sarah's eyes widened. "My lady?"
Izzy patted the maid's hand. "Leave it to me, Sarah. I have lots of experience with the Study Buddy program in my town."
Sarah frowned. "My lady, Study…"
"Never mind." Izzy chuckled.
****
Charles scrunched his face behind his woolen scarf against the whipping cold December wind. Walking his estate had always helped him sort out his worries. At least it used to. Isabella and all she encompassed produced a problem he couldn't solve. Charles wished her to remain here. She wished to leave. They seemed comfortable together, in tune with each other, which seemed odd under their present circumstances, but Isabella had made quite plain her desires. She wanted to return home to America. In the future. Grasping that concept was difficult even with the time Charles now had behind him in which to consider it.
He guided his steps past the stables. Horses whinnied to each other, as if in greeting, wishing each other 'Good day.' A smile lifted one side of Charles' mouth. Isabella, with her whimsical view of Kitty, would appreciate that. Charles' smile faltered. He couldn't bring her out here to see the horses or anything else. Not yet. No one, save himself and Sarah, must know of her. And no one must discover she resided in his house, an unmarried, non-chaperoned woman, and a foreigner no less. The ton would wag their collective tongues about that, no doubt. No, he must protect Isabella's reputation at all costs.
He walked past the stables, heading back toward the house. As brisk as the temperatures were, his walk would be cut short today. Once near the entrance, he spotted Kitty huddled next to some shrubbery. "What are you doing out here? It's freezing, and even your thick fur won't protect you for long."
Charles scooped up the cat and hurried inside. His walk had shown him at least one truth. He'd been abrupt with Isabella, giving no explanation before leaving her alone in the den. He shook his head and sighed. Not that long ago, he wouldn't have given a thought to someone's feelings who wasn't of his station. Since getting acquainted with Isabella however, his thoughts took a different tack. Why did her opinion of him seem to matter, when no other woman's did?
He kept his brisk pace once inside and carried Kitty to the den where he'd last seen Isabella. Charles knew there were only a couple of places she could be, since she couldn't parade all through the house for anyone to see. Taking Kitty with him had a purpose, one with positive outcomes, he hoped. Maybe if he approached Isabella with the cat while he attempted an apology, she'd be more willing to accept.