Chapter 17

Chapter17

"Oh, how could I ever blame you?" Margaret's voice softened as she took in Isabella's tear-streaked face. She pulled her adopted daughter closer. "Why would you do something so reckless? Thank heavens it's just your arm. What if you had damaged your face permanently?"

Isabella shook her head, her voice trembling. "I didn't know what else to do. I couldn't let Eleanor and Olivia come to blows..."

Margaret's gaze snapped to Eleanor, her expression hardening. "Look at what you've caused! You're the elder, yet Isabella had to step in! Have you no shame?"

"I never asked for her intervention."

Margaret's face darkened at Eleanor's calm response. "What did you just say? Do you realize what could have happened if Isabella hadn't stopped you? Fighting in public like some common street brawler! If this gets out, the Carters will be mortified! What will Nathaniel think of you now?"

Eleanor remained silent, her expression unreadable.

Margaret's hands trembled with rage. "What's that look supposed to mean? Are you defying me? Get out this instant and kneel in the living room!"

Eleanor didn't move.

Isabella quickly stepped forward. "Mother, please, I'm sure Eleanor didn't mean to—"

"Stay out of this," Margaret snapped, her eyes never leaving Eleanor. "Do I have no authority over you anymore? Have you forgotten your place? I knew this would happen! We never should have brought you back!"

The greenhouse fell into a heavy silence as Margaret's words hung in the air. She immediately regretted her outburst, realizing she had revealed too much.

Eleanor, however, simply turned and walked out without a word.

Margaret opened her mouth to call her back but stopped short when she saw Eleanor kneel in the center of the grand living room.

Isabella tried again. "Mother, please, don't make her—"

"Don't defend her," Margaret interrupted sharply. "She's grown too comfortable, too arrogant! Unlike you, she was raised in the countryside. She has no manners, no sense of propriety. That's why she needs to be disciplined!"

Isabella fell silent, her eyes darting to Eleanor. After a moment, she moved to Margaret's side, gently massaging her shoulders. "Mother, please calm down. The doctor said your blood pressure—"

Margaret patted Isabella's hand, her expression softening. "I know, dear."

Once Margaret had settled, Isabella approached Eleanor. She crouched beside her, her voice low and sweet. "Eleanor, you don't have to do this. Why don't you just apologize? She'll forgive you. You're her daughter, after all."

Eleanor didn't respond, her gaze fixed on the floor.

Isabella's smile didn't waver. She glanced around the room, then leaned in closer, her whisper barely audible. "Eleanor, if I were you, I'd be too ashamed to show my face. By the way, I know you've been wondering where Nathaniel was the day you lost the baby."

She paused, savoring the moment. "He was at an auction in Leverton. Remember that necklace I wore on my birthday? He won it for me there."

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