"Bella, be a good girl and have some soup," William coaxed, treating Isabella with the tenderness reserved for a child as he brought a spoonful of soup near her mouth.
Isabella welcomed William's caring gesture and nodded in agreement, prepared to accept the spoonful of soup. However, a sudden sneeze shook her, causing the spoon to tremble.
"Ah, you naughty thing, you've contaminated the whole soup," William teased in a playful scolding tone, setting the bowl aside.
"Sorry..." Isabella tried to apologize, her words muted as she mouthed them with folded hands and downcast lashes.
"Don't worry about it. I'll have someone bring you another bowl," William said, rising to call for the maid. But Isabella grasped the hem of his blazer, attempting to halt him.
"What's the matter?" William ask
