Bewitching The Recluse [BOOK 2 of Price Family Saga]

56. Chapter (Loving The Woman He Dreamed Of)

Bella regarded her stubborn, somewhat ill-tempered brother with a sombre gaze.

"Well, I advise you hasten your acclimation with my new stature," Bella declared sternly. "It truly vexes me to hear you unjustly censure my husband, degrade him, and mar our wedding day, ours, Arden. If there's anyone you ought to be displeased with, it is I."

Arden furrowed his brow. "So, you imply that you self-invited to Marlborough, is that your assertion?!"

She inclined her head and let out a sigh. "Nay... I merely wish to inquire, Arden – if you were enamoured with a lady who resolved to extricate you from her heart and surrendered herself to another man, would you still love and take her as your wife, despite the peril that she might carry the child of that other gentleman?"

Her brother observed her with intent, yet as time elapsed, his eyes widened in increasing astonishment. Eventually, he abruptly rose, paced to the window, and returned to the seated Bella, grasping his head.

"Good Heavens, Isabella...," he exclaimed in a subdued tone, "Fuck! You cannot be earnestly suggesting that you ventured into such a risk! First Aileen, and now you... My only glimmer of hope is that Eliza, at least, entered matrimony with an unsullied virtue."

Yet, upon noticing Bella's wavering gaze, he shook his head and waved his hand dismissively. "You know what, I need not and do not wish to know! I am... utterly aghast!"

A hush fell over their surroundings, broken by Arden after a while: "The institution of matrimony exists precisely to shield the fairer sex – including you! You and your sisters, being the Duke's daughters raised in the utmost propriety, should comprehend it best. I fail to fathom why you regarded it as the least consequential matter!"

"Your unyielding stance proved rather beneficial in Aileen's case," Bella retorted bitterly, eliciting a pained expression from Arden.

He elevated his forefinger and spoke, "The Almighty is my witness that I subsequently reconsidered my decision and wished to convey it to her — however, upon entering her chamber, she was gone."

Bella rose, approached him, and enveloped him in an embrace. He sighed, but eventually reciprocated.

"You neglected to address my query, Arden," she murmured as they parted.

Upon their separation, he responded, "I am uncertain of my course of action with such a lady, Bella, for it shall not transpire in my case. I could only hazard a guess that I would have waited until it was ascertained the woman is either not expectant, or that she delivers that man's progeny in hiding. I could never reconcile with the notion that my title should be inherited by a son not of my blood."

He then scrutinised her with his gaze and inquired, "Is St. Arcey privy to this? To all the intricate details about your affair?"

She nodded. "He is acquainted with every nuance, every facet. He also preferred that I withhold the information from you."

"Good Lord in Heavens, I never anticipated finding concurrence with him," he shook his head. "Nevertheless, you entered into matrimony with him and he earnestly took you as his wife," Arden remarked, clicking his tongue, "evidently, I undervalue him concerning his capacities and affections for you. Forgive me for this, Isabella; I did not intend to so indelicately disrupt your significant day."

"It is not me to whom you owe an apology," she retorted and bestowed a gracious smile upon him.

As brother and sister entered the grand hall, all eyes turned toward them, and the melody of the music came to a graceful halt. Arden, with a resolute stride, approached Travis, who stood at a distance with Daniel and Eliza.