Isabella was utterly enjoying her time with her ward and could not even imagine a time without her. With the onset of fall and change into winter, the days got shorter and darker. It confined the pupil to the schoolroom more, but Isabella was finding more and more ways to excite the child. With this came more regular visits to Mrs. Frederickson for lessons in the kitchen.
Isabella also afforded herself more liberties, taking her ward to the main part of the house to pick out more books or show her embroidery samples in the drawing room. Isabella had no more fear of Lady Lydia’s threats.
Lady Lydia must have also sensed the change in Isabella's demeanor because she no longer found opportunities to flash the clipping at her during their few encounters.
Instead, Lady Lydia put all her efforts into receiving some affection from Lord Bellfourd before her departure. She played the piano, sang songs, and even started to dote on Jacqueline, in the hope of winning over the Marquess’ heart.
Jackie didn’t hold Lady Lydia in very high regard. Up until this point of their visit, all Lady Lydia seemed to do was complain about the child’s presence. Now that she was desperate to secure affection, she completely turned a new leaf and treated Jacqueline like she was a precious child to her.
She had a way of speaking to Jackie, in a very high voice, and in the tone that one might use for an infant, that was quite vexing to the ears.
Isabella did her best to encourage Jackie to endure it as politely as possible. She also had to remind Jackie that speaking her mind in French, as she often did in the presence of Mrs. Peterson, would not be a good idea as Lady Lydia was fluent in the language.
Though Isabella had developed maternal instincts toward Jackie, she had to admit she much preferred the new treatment from Lady Lydia than what she had shown in the past.
Despite what she hoped Lord Bellfourd had meant on their walk from town, Lady Lydia was still a genuine possibility for his wife. If nothing else, Isabella felt security in knowing that if their marriage happened, Lydia would have to be kind to the child.
Isabella couldn’t help but also be satisfied in the fact that Lady Lydia had apparently given up all attempts to soil her reputation.
The real reason for Lady Lydia’s easing of her threats, however, came a few days before Lady Cunningham and her daughter were set to return to their own estate. It came in the form of a letter with no return address.
Isabella puzzled over the handwriting, which she did not recognize, as she made her way back up to her room.
Isabella,
You think there is any place in His Majesties Empire that you could run, and I not find you?
I have found you. You will regret the day that you denied me.
It was not signed, but it didn’t have to be. Isabella’s blood ran cold. Mr. Smith knew where she was. What lengths would he go to ensure her destruction?
Before she could dip into sorrow, she instead flashed with rage. There was only one reason that she would receive such a horrid threat and have lessened pressure from Lady Lydia.
She marched downstairs without a thought, letter in hand. She found Her Grace, Lady Abigail, Lady Cunningham, and the awful Lady Lydia all seated in the small drawing room taking their afternoon tea.
“Please forgive my intrusion,” Isabella said, doing her best to hide her rage behind a smile. “I was wondering if I could steal a moment with Lady Lydia.”
All eyes looked on in confusion. It wasn’t a secret to any in that room that Lady Lydia disliked Isabella. In fact, she had been very vocal of that fact over the course of her visit.
“I have a letter,” Isabella held up for all to see, "from Mrs. Mason.”
Isabella steadied her breath, doing her best to tell the fib.
"I have been writing to her regularly. When I told her Lady Lydia was here, she added a nice message for her at the end of the letter.”
“Oh, how very thoughtful of Mrs. Mason,” Lady Cunningham said none the wiser to the real content of the parchment.
Lady Lydia had no choice but to excuse herself from the room and follow Isabella into the privacy of the morning room.
“How dare you,” Isabella started, not caring about the repercussions of rude behavior anymore. “You wrote to Mr. Smith. You gave him the address of my employment.”
Isabella threw the threatening letter on the table in front of Lady Lydia. For such a hostile situation, Lady Lydia stood perfectly calm, arms folded in front of her mint morning dress, a slight smile on her thin lips.
“Of course I wrote to him.” Lady Lydia finally said. “Did you actually suppose that I would allow you to work here, to poison Lord Bellfourd against me, and take away everything I rightfully deserved yet again?”
“We are not children anymore, Lydia,” Isabella said exasperatedly. She struggled to keep her voice low. “I took nothing from you then, and I will take nothing from you now.”
“You have cost me my position,” Isabella went on, willing Lady Lydia to understand the seriousness of her act. “He will, no doubt, write to the duke. When Lord Bellfourd reads that letter in his stead…”
“You will be unemployed. Yes, I am well aware of what I did,” she responded coolly as if the conversation was now boring her.
“This is my livelihood. Without this position, or at the very least, a reference, I will have no hope of securing another. I have no other means to support myself.”
“How very unfortunate for you. Perhaps, instead of spending your earnings on frivolous dresses and sweets, you should have considered that the time would come when all your evil doings caught up with you.”
“Evil doings? You have no idea what that man asked of me.” Isabella took a steadying breath. “I admit it was wrong to take the locket when he owned all my father had, but it was just a necklace. It was of no worth to him except for the mere fact that it mattered to me.”
Isabella held the empty place on her collarbone where the treasure once lay.
“As I said, most unfortunate for you. Now if you don’t mind, I will return to my happy company. I do not feel comfortable being tangled in yet another one of your lies.”
She picked the short letter up and looked it over. She frowned, before letting the letter fall back to the table. “Mrs. Mason, indeed.” She turned and left the room before another utterance could be mustered.
Isabella paced the floor a few times, willing herself to calm down before she did something absolutely radical.
She thought of something her father had told her as a child, ‘though your hair be as cool as night with no moonlight, your head can be as hot as the sun itself.’
She stood still, closing her eyes, and breathed deeply. There was nothing to do about it now. If Mr. Smith chose to write to her employer, Lord Bellfourd would be the one to receive it.
She had already told Lord Bellfourd some of the issues attached to the man, so she had to hope he would at least give her time to explain. He would understand. All would be right in the end.
Unfortunately, things do not always go to plan, as was the case for Isabella. Before the week's end, she received three more threatening letters from Mr. Smith. Each one became angrier and coarser than the last.
The land froze much earlier than expected, and Lady Cunningham was forced to extend her stay several weeks past her expected departure due to the dangerous roads. Isabella would have to remain in the presence of Lady Lydia for a longer period of time. Even worse, Isabella feared that with the early turning from autumn to winter, she would be forced to endure the whole holiday season in Lady Lydia’s presence.
As Isabella dreaded every letter now delivered to her and placed in the servant dining hall basket, Lady Lydia waited with bated breath for a letter to arrive addressed to the duke.
She was certain now that she had secured all that was rightly hers. She wouldn’t allow Isabella outshine her again.
Dear Isabella,
I must admit that I am very concerned for you after your last letter. Of course, we both knew the deceit that lay hidden within Lady Lydia, but this is a most unbecoming course, even for her.
As for the letters you have told me about from Mr. Smith, I am very worried for your safety. It sounds like he may truly wish you harm.
I know you must find the protection of your distance in your favor, but what if it is not? Certainly, Mr. Smith has the means to travel. What if he was to come to Wintercrest?
I know that you are concerned that Lord Bellfourd might think less of your character if you discuss the whole matter with him, but as your friend, I must encourage you to do so, despite your fears.
From the short time that I was acquainted with him, as well as what you have told me during our correspondence, I believe he is a very understanding gentleman. He will see your side of the situation, and could perhaps aid you.
I know that you talk as if the letters and threats do not affect you, but I know your tender heart. To be subject to such horrid things, falsely accused, to endure such bereavement would be hard on anyone.
I beg you to relieve yourself of the burden you have carried alone. Seek comfort in the friendship of those around you. Hold tight till Lady Lydia is removed from your presence. Most of all know that I think of you and pray for your wellbeing each night.
Wishing you safety and love,
Louisa