1895: The Duchess's Soul Returns

Chapter 22 ·Isabella·

Ever since Isabella and Albert met in the rear gardens of Kimbolton Castle that day, Consuelo had not once initiated conversation with Isabella.

　　No matter how many questions bombarded Isabella internally, Consuelo would not speak unless absolutely necessary. And even when she did speak, her tone was icy cold. Not only that, if the distance between them allowed her to avoid sharing a room with Isabella, she would never appear before her. This left Isabella utterly frustrated.

　　These past days, since the Duchess Dowager of Manchester had expressed a desire to spend more time with her goddaughter, Isabella had been left at Kimbolton Castle by Eva and William, who had returned to London to prepare for their wedding. Also staying as guests at the castle were Lord Lucas, Miss Catherine, May, Alice, and Edna. Unlike his previous rude provocations, Lord Lucas refrained from making sarcastic remarks about any of the American heiresses during the Duchess of Manchester's hospitality. He scarcely participated in any castle activities, spending his days confined to his study, looking noticeably haggard and gloomy. Miss Catherine, too, was unusually silent, no longer attempting to mock Isabella either openly or subtly. At first, Isabella assumed Lord Lucas and Miss Catherine's low-key demeanor was out of consideration for the hostess. It wasn't until later that May quietly confided in Isabella that rumors were already swirling in London: that the Earl of Cooper had lost a considerable fortune in London's underground clubs, leaving the Cooper family on the brink of bankruptcy.

Though May had been deeply saddened by the Duke of Roxburgh's departure, the return of Miss Alice, another daughter of the Duchess Dowager of Manchester, lifted her spirits considerably. Miss Alice quickly proved herself a far more approachable companion than the somewhat sharp-tongued and snobbish Miss Catherine in Isabella's eyes. Each day, she and the Dowager Duchess of Manchester organized all manner of entertaining games for the American girls remaining at the castle—word puzzles, concerts, board games—leaving Isabella scarcely time to dwell on Consuelo's coldness toward her.

Yet she persisted in trying to reach Consuelo, though most often she found herself standing alone in the room like a fool, her heart screaming at the other girl—who, much to Isabella's surprise, endured it all with remarkable patience.

　　“If you're so against me marrying Albert,” Isabella blurted out petulantly the morning before their departure back to New York, finding Consuelo absent once more upon waking, “I'll do everything in my power to break off this engagement.”

　　Perhaps because she had shouted those words, Consuelo finally appeared through the door, calm and silent as she stared at her.

“I really will do it,” Isabella continued, her voice lacking conviction. "If all this truly makes you so unhappy that you won't even speak to me, Consuelo, I really will call it off. I'll send Anna to deliver the message to Albert right now—"

“It's impossible. The invitations have been sent, the church is booked, and even Her Majesty the Queen knows of the impending wedding. Nothing can stop your marriage to the Duke of Marlborough now.”

　　“I'll feign illness!”

“My mother will send a physician to examine you.”

“Then I'll truly fall ill!”

“You cannot remain bedridden forever.”

“Break my leg.”

“Even in a wheelchair, my parents will ensure you're wheeled into the church on time.”

　　“Then I'll—”

“Don't be foolish, Isabella!” Consuelo suddenly shouted. Isabella, who had never seen her so agitated, froze. “I must leave, Isabella. I have no reason to stay. From the very beginning, my only reason for remaining by your side was the hope of retrieving the locket James left me. That is all.”

　　She turned toward the door, but Isabella leapt from the bed and blocked the doorway—though this action was futile against a ghost, a realization that dawned on Isabella belatedly. Still, she spread her arms to bar Consuelo's path, feeling like the villainous female supporting character in a romance novel desperately trying to keep the heartbroken male lead. "Don't go, Consuelo! We can figure something out together—"

“Do you expect me to stand by and watch your lovey-dovey marriage to the Duke of Marlborough unfold before my eyes?” “ Consuelo asked with a cold laugh. Isabella realized her expression was far more complex now than when she had first become a ghost. ”You're just afraid that without me, you'll lose your portable air conditioner, your walking French dictionary, and your 19th-century encyclopedia. Isabella, because that's all I am to you."

　　“Don't say that, Consuelo. You're my friend. You mean more to me than anyone—”

“More than the Duke of Marlborough?”

Consuelo snorted, demanding.

Isabella fell silent for several seconds. She drew a deep breath and then slowly nodded.

“I don't believe it.”

　　“Consuelo!”

"You've fallen for the Duke of Marlborough, Isabella. I know you've tried to fight it—using my mother's pressure, His Grace's feelings for Miss Louise, even the wedding moving too fast as excuses to escape it all. But the truth is—why not just admit it plainly—from the moment the Duke of Marlborough stepped into Lady Peggy's drawing room, you abandoned your plans to run away, to pursue a completely different life. Because you discovered Consuelo Vanderbilt's life wasn't nearly as terrible as you imagined. You found that an arranged marriage wasn't so unbearable after all. The only thing you needed to adjust to was what? A corset? Open your eyes, Isabella. See the truth: my life didn't suddenly become a fairy tale of prince and princess living happily ever after because you intervened. Did you really think the Duke of Marlborough would fall for you so easily?"

Seeing Consuelo speak at such length for the first time, Isabella froze in place, speechless for a long moment.

　　"I'm tired of watching the life you took over continue along its original course. I chose suicide for this very reason, Isabella. I should have left this world, not lingered in this half-dead state, forced to live the life I fled. I don't blame you for falling for the Duke of Marlborough—he truly has the power to enchant a girl who's never known love. But please understand—I have no desire left to play this game of love with you. Once I have James's pendant, I will leave."

Constance walked right through Isabella. While the sensation wasn't quite as excruciating as falling into an ice cave, as described in Harry Potter, it was hardly pleasant either. “What are you planning to do?” Isabella, trembling with anxiety, shouted at Consuelo before she vanished completely behind the wooden door.

I want to see just how intense that tearing sensation can become.

Consuelo transmitted this thought to her before disappearing behind the door.