Surrender Becomes Her Read Free Page A

the lake. Until the previous winter she had hardly known Hugh; he had left the neighborhood prior to her father’s death and sailed to India to begin his career with the East India Trading Company. His return in September for a long sojourn at home before returning to his post in Bombay had put the entire area in a dither. For weeks following his return there were parties and dinners in his honor, everyone agog to hear tales of that far-off mystical place, India. Isabel found his company enjoyable and, coupled with the friendship between her uncle and Lord Manning, an easy intimacy had sprung up between them. Even if Hugh was nearly thirty, the fact that he was a personable, charming young man had not escaped her notice and she understood completely why the squire’s daughter thought him very handsome with his darkly tanned skin, fair hair, and deep blue eyes.
    Since January, Hugh had been traveling about England and had only returned a week ago and within days was preparing to sail back to his post in Bombay. Isabel knew that Lord Manning was dreading his departure; Hugh was not likely to return from India again for years and Lord Manning feared he might never see his youngest son again. He’d said as much one evening last week when he’d come to dine at Denham Manor.
    Reaching shore, Hugh leaped nimbly onto the muddy ground. After pulling the boat aground enough so that it would not float away, he turned and smiled at Isabel.
    “It’s been a lovely day, hasn’t it?” he said. He glanced upat the blue sky and added wistfully, “There is nothing like an April sky in England. I think what I miss most in India is a sky just that particular shade of blue.” He took in a deep breath. “And the scents of an English spring—daffodils, roses, and lilacs in bloom.”
    Bruised and wounded from her exchange with Marcus, she didn’t want any company, but when Hugh suggested that they sit on one of the stone benches nearby, she agreed.
    It didn’t take Isabel long to realize from his long face and comments that Hugh Manning was nearly as unhappy as she was. A frown between her brows, she asked, “Don’t you want to return to India? I thought you were looking forward to going back.”
    His gaze on the lake, he said, “I’d rather join a regiment and fight against the French,” he said. “With the war on the continent going so badly, England needs all the fighting men she can gather.”
    Isabel stared at him. “I didn’t know that you wanted to be in the Army.”
    “Army, Navy, it wouldn’t make any difference,” he said carelessly. Glumly, he admitted, “I’ll be honest, Izzy, I’m finding the prospect of returning to Bombay unappealing. At least the military would provide an opportunity for adventure. What I wouldn’t give to be with Hood’s fleet in the Mediterranean!” He cast her a miserable glance. “Once the exoticness dissipates, you do not know how boring life in India can be. Everything is the same day after day. I’d like a bit of excitement.”
    “I would think living in a land where one can ride elephants and see monkeys and tigers roaming about would be exciting enough!”
    He shrugged. “Oh, there are moments to be sure and generally I am happy with my lot, but I had hoped to…” He took a deep breath. “I had hoped to take a wife with me when I returned. I have done well in Bombay and I now have the assets to support a wife and family in style and comfort.” Hughlaughed bitterly. “I had it all planned: I’d come home, find a bride, and return to Bombay with my wife by my side, ready to start my family. Instead, in less than three days I sail alone back to India.”
    Isabel nearly jumped out of her skin at his words, staring at Hugh with large, wondering eyes. Had fate sent her an opportunity? An opportunity not only to show Marcus how very wrong he was, but an opportunity to escape once and for all from a home she no longer thought of as hers, from a woman whose sole purpose seemed