If it were possible to pray these things into existence, Isabelle would get on her knees this second and begin pleading with God for such a phenomenon to occur this very minute. Instead, she ran down the side of the street, swiping at the tears that were spilling from her eyes. How in the world could she have acted so boldly, giving Sebastian just one more thing to hold against her? And what about everyone at the dinner party? Would it be remarked upon that she had not returned to the room after Sebastian had removed her in such a way? Of course it would, she thought as she yanked open the servant’s door of Mrs. Finch’s town home and raced up to her room. Closing the door behind her, she shut her eyes, leaned against the door and sank to the floor in a boneless heap. From across the room she could hear the faint ticking of the clock that rested on the top of a little bookcase she had. The ticking so soothing and comforting, it was just what she needed.
