Bride in a Gilded Cage by Abby Green Page A

Aires. And then my grandmother died when I was six, and we never came back.’ She looked at Rafael. ‘That must have been when my grandfather sold it.’
    He nodded. ‘It was a couple of years after that.’
    It struck Isobel forcibly in that moment just how long ago their fate had been decided. Avoiding Rafael’s penetrating look, she turned around and gasped as she took in the sheer understated elegance and beauty of the estancia. Cream walls and a terracotta-tiled roof made it look warm and inviting. The one-level storey was very traditionally colonial, and the columns gave it an air of grandeur.
    ‘It dates from the eighteen-thirties, but has been added to over the years…’ Rafael pointed to an extension which looked slightly out of sync with the rest of the building, but still worked somehow. ‘That’s a neo-classical Italian addition, probably from around the late eighteen hundreds.’
    ‘It’s beautiful.’ Isobel’s voice was husky. ‘I’d forgotten how beautiful it is.’
    The land around the house was verdant and lush. Isobel could see what looked like a lake surrounded by trees towards the back of the estancia. She felt a wave of sadness then, at knowing that they’d lost this for so many years. No wonder her grandfather had wanted to make sure this returned to them eventually. She could see how losing this must have pushed him even closer to despair.
    ‘And it’s now yours as much as mine.’
    Isobel felt tongue-tied. The enormity of the reality of her situation overwhelmed her for a moment. Luckily Rafael didn’t seem to expect her to say anything, and started to stride towards the house with loose-limbed grace. Isobel forced herself to move and follow him when he said, ‘Come on. I’ll show you around.’
    Her head was reeling about an hour later when Rafael led her back into the impressive reception area. Twenty-three bedrooms. Two private suites. A dining room fit for royalty…and kitchens that would put a five-star hotel to shame. One formalliving area and a more informal one, complete with TV, sound system and shelves heaving with books.
    Unaware of Isobel’s inner meltdown, Rafael was striding out through the main door again, beckoning her to follow him. She followed him back to the car speechlessly and got in when he held the door open. They drove down a rough path hidden in the undergrowth by the side of the house and came out into a large clearing, where a helicopter stood waiting.
    Isobel was seriously afraid she wouldn’t be able to process much more, but already Rafael was at her door and helping her out. The helicopter was starting up.
    ‘I thought this might be the best way to give you an idea of the estate. We have some time before it gets dark.’
    Within what felt like seconds they were in the helicopter and lifting into the air. It was Isobel’s first time, and her hands gripped the armrests. She was connected to Rafael via headphones and speakers, and as they flew over the fifty-thousand-hectare estate he pointed out the polo grounds and the stables, the livestock area, and where the land had been turned over to agricultural use. It went on and on and on, no end in sight.
    Isobel was feeling more and more nauseous. Not helped when Rafael looked at her sharply and said, ‘Are you okay?’
    All Isobel could do was shake her head numbly. Rafael gave a signal to the pilot and the helicopter started to turn around and head back. As soon as they landed Isobel clambered out of the small craft and staggered slightly.
    Rafael caught up to her and took her arm. ‘What’s wrong?’
    At first Isobel couldn’t get any words out. She was terrified she’d throw up there and then. She sucked in big breaths, feeling clammy and sweaty all at the same time. ‘I just…It’s a bit muchto take in.’ The enormity of the disparity between her simple life in Paris and her life here now was overwhelming.
    When Isobel emerged from her room a little later her belly was still in knots.