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She didn’t want to believe it of Andrew but in her heart knew Tristan spoke the truth “You have given a possible motive for Andrew’s treachery, but what is your mother’s excuse for such diabolical behaviour?”

He drained his glass, placed it on the octagonalher hand in his “She thought that my father was in love with your mother She kneas a purely platonic relationship, but bitterness taints s Even now, she feels justified in her methods to keep us apart”

The truth was like a knife to her heart

Surely it amounted to more than an act of jealousy

“Your father visited both my parents many times over the years,” she said in an atteave my mother support when my father died, promised to care for me if ever I was left alone Never once did I think there was anything more to their relationship”

Tristan patted her hand gently “My father was a loyal husband by all accounts I think that is what hurts my mother the most True love is rare, precious She craved it, avoided anything that res”

“Please tell ht her by surprise “There is no justification for what she did to us”

He gripped her hand tightly “You ht process I will never forgive her for her ”

A light tap on the door announced Mrs Taylor’s arrival with the tea tray The housekeeper placed it carefully on the side table

“Thank you, Mrs Taylor,” Isabella said “You may leave us I shall pour”

Myher the peace she so desperately sought,” Tristan said as Mrs Taylor closed the door behind her “Indeed, it pains her to think of what I did whilst in France”

“She drove you away What did she expect you to do?”

Tristan shrugged “No doubt she assumed I would find someone else to marry”

Isabella’s heart lurched at the thought “Then I a instead”

“You knoith ether”