“How do you know that?”
“I thought everyone knew that?”
Hope pondered the question, unsure of who knew of Felicity’s affinity for the written word. Surely, no one knew of Felicity’s submissions to the scandal sheets. She had been the one unnecessary warning women of Evan’s rakish ways. All because of a Lady X…and an anonymous note that she had given to Felicity. Thankfully, Evan was able to look past that and all was forgiven. Felicity had confided everything in Hope, eventually. Now the unpredictable couple was happily married and on their honeymoon. No thanks to Lady X. She had not surfaced again, and it was a mystery that had hitherto gone unsolved.
If it had continued, Hope would be inclined to reach out to a sleuthing agency with the expectation that they would uncover Lady X’s identity.
“I don’t think everyone knows about it.” She finally responded to Alex—Astrid’s question. Funny that she should think to call Astrid by her middle name after only hearing it twice.
“Well, I must have heard it somewhere because I know about it.”
The logic was circular, but Hope wasn’t about to argue the point.
“You got your hat back, brother, so I’m going to walk back to the house now. Everyone is probably returning by this time anyway,” Astrid said, standing and straightening her skirts.
“Leave the footmen alone, Astrid.”
Her response consisted of sticking her tongue out at her brother. “If I can’t have my love, I’ll find a suitable replacement.”
“That’s not fair to either of you,” Isaac chided.
Astrid gave a huff, glanced at Hope, then back at Isaac. “You are the biggest hypocrite.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I shouldn’t say.”
“Why did you bring it up then?” Isaac was scowling at his sister.
Astrid strode over to him and lowered her voice, but Hope could still make out what she said.
“Ask yourself why you only ever have a blonde on your arm.”
Isaac scoffed, “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sometimes the little sister knows best.”
Then Isaac’s sister winked at her and left the two of them in the small clearing.
“I think I’ll go for a small walk. The fresh air always clears my mind,” Hope said.
“Oh, no you don’t.” He caught her by the wrist. “You’re not going anywhere alone. Not after that note I read.”
When she cast a glance at him, he looked more stern than his devil-may-care mien usually portrayed.
“Pfft. Isaac, you’re being ridiculous. I receive those notes all the time.” Perhaps that was overstating it a little bit. “It means nothing. No one would have the audacity to venture onto our private property and do me any harm.”
“I don’t care. You’re not going alone.”
“Isaac, you don’t get to tell me what to do. You’re not my brother.” Never had she meant those words more than now. He was nothing like a brother to her. “And you’re not my husband.”
With a grunt, he replied begrudgingly, “If everyone has returned home, I’ll go for a walk with you.” And then, as if to emphasize his perceived authority, he added, “You’re not going alone.”
His hand was still circling her wrist. And…was that his thumb swaying back and forth over her skin?
“So what do you say about the beard?”
“It’s your face. Do what you want.” She must have frowned because he pried into her response.
