Isabelle
It had been weeks since Isabelle had received the letter. She sat alone staring out at her favorite garden. She read the letter again, it made her feel a deep comfort somehow now. She tucked it lovingly back inside the envelope and thought warmly of Thomas and their brief time together. She heard footsteps in the hallway nearing the room, she slid the envelope between the cushions.
Alfred worried about his wife as of late, she was not the woman he married. He could spend very little time around her without making her feel uncomfortable. Alfred had taken to watching her very little, when he was in the same room with her. He avoided her presence when he could, to alleviate her guilty conscience. She would jump slightly when he entered the room. Her eyes would turn to the carpet instead of return his glance. When he brushed against her, she stiffened instead of relaxing.
Agatha was sleeping in the nursery. Isabelle sat alone in a room that faced her favorite garden. It was the perfect time to confront her.
Alfred walked in and watched the calmness on her face slowly vanish. Alfred’s eyes grew stern at the sight of it. “What have I done to deserve this punishment?” he sat in a cushioned chair across from her. “The pleasure vanishes from your face the moment I walk into the room. What reason do you deprive me of this?” He waited for answer that did not come.
Isabelle stared at the carpet and said nothing.
Alfred watched the flush of red on her cheeks, a color he still put there. Though now it stood for shame instead of innocence. “Since you will not speak of it I can only assume I have done you some grievous harm for which there is no recompense. I apologize for any ill will I have exuded upon you. Forgive me any beastly dealings you have suffered under my monstrous hands. I know that you can not forgive such actions, and so I am to be punished forever by the withdrawal of your happiness. I can not live happily having you here with me knowing that very reason causes you to live in sorrow. I will away in a few days, never to return if that is what must be done to return the smile to your face.”
Isabelle looked up in shock.
Alfred’s eyes were cold as he looked at her.
Isabelle said nothing and thought hard about Alfred’s words. It was almost as if he was presenting the very answer to her problems to her. He could disappear and Thomas could return. The thought of it made Isabelle question her emotions, morality, and soul.
Alfred quipped, “I am sorry to be the source of your malcontent. You were surely my sole reason for existence.” He then stood up abruptly and started to walk out.
“Wait!” Isabelle said quickly and pulled the letter from the cushion. “You remember the man I told you about, the one I was promised to?”
“The criminal?” Alfred did not turn around to face her. “You would deny me happiness for a common thief?”
“I would not!” Isabelle exclaimed in defense.
He accused her outright, “Yet you have!” Alfred turned to face her, “Four weeks now you have denied me your presence. You have shunned every affection.” He moved forward quickly and grabbed the envelope from her hand.
He tore it forcefully, and watched her eyes fill with sorrow and regret.
Isabelle’s tears began to fall, she could not hold them back.
“Yes he is a thief indeed, intent on stealing you. With mere words he has stolen you already.” Alfred tossed the scraps into the fire.