Isabella’s laugh made Owen’s heart flip. “I don’t blame you. I feel sorry for the poor fool who gets stuck with one of them.”
Silence fell upon them and they walked slowly through the woods. Both were enjoying the others company when suddenly a voice called out.
“Isabella! Come home this instant! Mother needs you!” The voice obviously belonged to Gabriel.
“I must go. You had better wait here. My brother already doesn’t like you. I shudder to think what he would do if he saw you walking with me. He might get some silly notion that you were trying to court me.” She laughed. Owen laughed as well but said nothing. He was not about to reveal his blossoming feelings for her.
Isabella took this as a hinted goodbye and ran off the wind blowing her hair. Owen sighed as he watched her disappear from sight. This was going to be harder than expected.
Isabella found Gabriel waiting for her at the edge of the woods. The scowl had still not left his face.
“What did mother need, Gabe?” Isabella said breathlessly.
“Mother doesn’t need anything.” Gabriel’s scowl grew.
“Then why on earth did you call me here?” She looked at him, confused.
“I heard an interesting bit of gossip from Lila and Sarah.” He growled.
“What did those cows have to say?” She didn’t even bat an eye.
“Don’t you dare call them that!” He raised his hand to strike her but thought against it.
“Gabriel, if you even dare think to hit me I swear I will never speak or look to you again.” Her eyes grew fierce. That made him step back.
“I’m sorry, Bella.” He looked down.
“Just tell me why you brought me out here.” Her face grew soft.
“Oh, yes.” His scowl returned. “I heard that you went into the woods with that stranger. I want an explanation.”
“First of all, his name is Owen. Second, I was just walking with him. He saved me from some sneering that came from your beloved Lila and Sarah.” She looked at him defiantly.
“I never said they were perfect. Maybe you deserved it.” He pouted slightly.
When she heard those words, she didn’t know why she did it but suddenly she brought her hand up and struck him across the face. He was taken aback and just stood there gaping.
“Gabriel, don’t you ever say such a thing to me again! I have always been kind to them and you know it. Don’t you ever dare tell me that I deserve the awful things that they say to me. Never!” Her face softened and she kissed his cheek where her hand had clouted. “I am sorry, brother. I did not mean to be so angry.” She slowly turned and went in the direction of the inn.
She reached the inn and went straight to her room. Locking the door behind her, she sat at the edge of her bed, wondering what had just happened. She was never the type to get violent. She never condoned it. Well, depending on the situation, really. However, violence out of annoyance or momentary anger was something she did not excuse. When Gabriel blamed her for some of the cruel things those decorated shams said to her. He was never there so he never heard. Sitting there thinking, she heard a faint noise. It sounded so familiar yet she could not place it. Her body stilled in hopes that the noise would return. It was like a whisper. As if someone was whispering her name. Yet, that couldn’t be. There was not a soul near her. Isabella strained to hear the whisper again but all one could hear was the wind. How strange.