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A few days later Robert told Isaac to meet him at White´s. He wanted to discuss some things and he didn’t want Sonia to hear about it. It was regarding his cousin and the best place in town that he could think of to meet was in this gentlemen´s club. When Robert entered he could see Isaac sitting at a table. In the room next to them there was a noisy group of men that seemed to be talking about something very entertaining.
Robert joined Isaac and they started to talk while drinking a few glasses of wine. Suddenly they heard Isaac’s name mentioned followed by laughter. Robert heard it too and looked at him with surprise.
“Do you know who those people are?” Robert asked.
“I have no idea.” Isaac approached the table slowly trying to hear better.
“That man is a complete idiot. He has a terrible taste regarding women. The first was only interested in money and turned out to be a whore. The second is almost a nun. Though she has now improved in the way of dresses herself. The only thing good about the countess is the money she brought with her.” Bexley said out loud. He was surrounded by a few of his friends.
“Maybe that is why he went crazy and decided to live with both women at the same time.”
Everyone thought it was hilarious. “Good Lord, I do not want to be in his place when his wife finds out.”
“Me either, my friend. It is sad that both will end up with a broken heart.” One of the men put his hand on his heart in a dramatic gesture.
“Well, I just couldn’t stand by witnessing all this nonsense. As the Good Samaritan that I am I had to put some light on these things personally.”
That was the last thing Bexley said as Lord Beaufort´s fist hit him right in the face and he fell on the floor. When he woke up Bexley saw Isaac ready to hit him again.
“So it was you, bastard. You could not stand that I married Angustias instead of you. You were the one who was interested in her dowry. When you saw yourself without it you had to mess with my marriage. I thought you had hit rock bottom after trying to damage Angustias reputation, but I was wrong. You keep embarrassing yourself.”
All of Bexley’s friends went silent. Bexley tried to get up with no success.
“Come on. Get up. Piece of garbage!” Isaac yelled at him. “At least be a man and face me. Take responsibility for your actions.”
Bexley cleaned some blood from his mouth. “I am not the one to blame for your damn actions. You were the one that exposed your wife to a scandal in front of the entirety of high society of London.”
Isaac couldn’t stand Bexley’s sarcasm. He bent over Bexley to hit him again, but Robert stopped him. The marquess feared that Bexley would end up seriously injured. He was very skinny wouldn’t be able to receive another blow.
“That woman is not my lover. Isabella was my father´s wife. She came because my wife invited her. Already aware of what happened between us in my youth. You felt so dissappointed that you could not have Angustias for yourself that you had to fill her mind with filthy ideas that are only true in your rotten mind.”
“Nonsense! If that is true. Why are you living apart?”
“That is something between my wife and me.” Isaac looked at Bexley with a small ironic smile on his lips. “Why do you find this is so interesting? Are you out of things to do? Can´t find anything better than to delve into other peoples affairs? Be careful Bexley. I think you interests may be changing. Gossip is usually a feminine interest.”
The entire club burst out laughing.
“Nobody insults me like this. I challenge you to a duel, right now.”
Robert interfered. “Bexley, are you sure of what you are saying? Remember my friend is an excellent shot. He was once part of the navy. On the other side, you have been walking the countryside of your father’s country estate for your entire life. The most exciting thing you have ever done in your life is to play businessman here in London.”
“I can hold a gun just fine,” said Bexley enraged.
“I do not doubt it. The question is do you know how to shoot one? Because Isaac is an excellent marksman.” The marquess pointed towards Isaac. “It is almost certain that you will receive a bullet instead of getting the satisfaction you are looking for.”
A friend of Bexley’s pulled him away and spoke with him. Finally, Bexley seemed to return to his senses.
“All right, I won´t do it. But it is only because I do not want to get my hands dirty.” Bexley looked toward Isaac.
“I am ready to get my hands dirty whenever you like.” Isaac approached Bexley. Bexley stepped back. “If I ever hear that anyone is making fun or dishonoring the good name of my wife, who is a lady through and through, I will challenge him immediately. I hope this is clear enough for everyone.” Isaac looked at Robert who stood beside him. After having spoken they left the club.
That same night Isaac entered his wifes bedroom through a window. Angustias was sleeping peacefully. Isaac approached her bed silently. He covered her mouth with his hand and sat on her to prevent her from moving. Angustias couldn’t see who it was and started to defend herself moving her head from one side to the other. Isaac put a piece of fabric in her mouth and he tied up her hands. Finally, he carried her on his shoulder to a carriage. He had received help from the butler who looked like he was having the greatest adventure of his life. Angustias resisted bravely until Isaac took off his hood to show her it was him. Angustias signaled to him to take out the fabric that was in her mouth, but he denied her. “My love, I know you well. You will start screaming and you will attract the attention of everyone on the street. I need you to be silent until we reach our destination.” Angustias started to stare at him with anger, but Isaac didn’t care. He needed to give her his surprise. It was the only way for her to forgive him. At last, they arrived in a forest and Isaac removed the handkerchief in her mouth.
“Where are we?” Angustias asked, trembling because of the cold.
“Take this.” Isaac handed her a long white coat. “This is a gift for you. I wanted to give it to you for a while.” He helped her to put it on.
“Thank you. But you don’t need to give me presents.”
“I don’t need to, but I want to do this, Angustias.” Suddenly, they heard a noise. A sleigh drawn by beautiful Siberian dogs came towards them. Angustias was stunned.
“Do you like it?” Isaac asked smiling.
“It’s wonderful!” exclaimed Angustias.
“What are you waiting for? Get on!”
“Really?”
“Yes. This is another gift for you.” Isaac took her hand. He felt relieved when he felt how she squeezed his hand in response. The couple took a seat, and the driver started to guide the dogs into the forest. Angustias felt amazed by the sight of the shining stars. The forest sparkled white in the night. She extended her hands towards the night sky, feeling the cold wind touching her cheeks. The landscape looked fantastic all covered in ice. The moonlight made everything look like pure silver. So they traveled for a while until they reached a forest clearing. Angustias could see some lights and she wondered if there was a cabin ahead. But the more they got closer, the more it resembled something else. The lights turned out to belong to a huge Christmas tree standing in the middle of nowhere. A giant pine covered with snow and decorated with red and green lanterns, popcorn chains and cookies in all forms and colors imaginable. Around the tree, hundreds of candles lit the area like in a fairy tale.
“This is beautiful,” said Angustias, surprised.
“I remembered you told me about a dream that you had since you were little. I wanted to give this to you.
Angustias hid her face in her hands and started to sob.
“Please don’t cry, honey, please. I thought this would make you happy.”
“But it did make me happy. This is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me.“
“But then, what is wrong?” Isaac hugged her.
“I don’t understand.” Angustias sobbed even louder than before. “You have been so cold with me. You have shown me how you don’t care about me. And now you are a different person. You tell me that you love me, but then you went to the country house with her. And now you tell me that you regret what you have done, that you truly love me after all.” Angustias shook her head. “I don’t know.... Everything is so confusing right now.”
“I love you Angustias. You are the kindest, most honorable, intelligent and truly good person that I have ever met in my life. How can a man not fall in love with someone like you?”
“I don’t know. You tell me.” Angustias said suspecting a trap.
“Just one that was not right in his mind wouldn’t love you. I was a coward, my love. I should have told you what was happening the night that I first saw Isabella in our house. But I never got involved with her after marrying you. The fact that I had such strong feelings for her before she married my father, and that she made a fool of me and my father in front of everyone, was a hard thing for me. I didn’t want to see in your eyes the look that I have been receiving from so many people since all of that happened. And honestly, I never thought that I would fall in love again. I closed my heart to any feelings a long time ago. But you started to break my shield since you entered my life.“
“Do you really think we can start over again? That my doubts and fears will vanish and we will become a happy couple?” Angustias eyes were full of sadness.
“I know that will not happen tonight. But I know we can start over, darling, if we only try. I will dedicate every day until the end of my life to prove it until you believe it too.” Isaac raised his eyes towards Angustias. “You are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Angustias looked at him without saying a word. Isaac knew she had doubts.
“Why can’t you believe that you could drive a man crazy for you?”
“I didn’t know you were able to have all of those feelings for me.”
“I hope you believe me now. I did a terrible thing, but I plan on correcting the wrong with a right.” Isaac claimed Angustias lips for himself. They kissed for a long time. Finally, he felt her shivering in the night. “Are you cold?” he asked gently.
“A little bit. But all of this is so beautiful that I wish I could stay here forever.”
“Well... if we did that people would find two blocks of ice tomorrow,” Isaac took a strain of her hair and stroked it.
“I wish I could trust you, Isaac.”
“And I wish to have your trust, my love.”
“The days without you weren’t easy. I was hurt and disappointed, but I don’t want to be apart from you.”
“How about we go back home?”
“That’s sounds right. Will you stay this time?” Angustias look was full of fear, sadness, and hope.
“I will stay. Anything that happens between us will be because you want it.”
Angustias smiled. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me for anything. It is me that has to be grateful.” Isaac stroked Angustias face. “I love you, honey.”
“I love you too,” Angustias said resting her head on her husband’s shoulder. She remained in that position all the way until the carriage brought them back home.