Chapter 12
Although Isla hadn’t been able to appreciate much of the show, she still clapped until her hands itched when it finished. She wiped away a happy tear from her eye before turning to Ronan.
“That was spectacular,” she proclaimed. “I’m so glad we came tonight. What a clever idea it was.”
“Yes, I suppose so.” Ronan was already turning away from her with a vague nod. She paused to watch him move around, gathering their coats. “Shall we?”
Her mouth opened and shut. They’d had a lovely moment not an hour ago, and now he was distracted. She wondered what she might have done wrong as she went over to let him wrap her cloak around her shoulders.
“Did you enjoy yourself tonight?” She asked hopefully.
“It was fine. Tonight was to ensure we were seen as an acceptable couple. Come along, let’s try to avoid some of the foot traffic,” he said while scooping her hand through his arm.
Any hope of avoiding the crowd was near impossible, however, as they descended the stairs and entered a mad crush of people all attempting to do the same.
Isla had to hold back a small laugh at Ronan’s bewildered frown before nudging them along in a small path by the walls.
It didn’t take them long to exit, thankfully, and soon he had called over his carriage.
“It is him!”
“Oh bother,” Ronan muttered under his breath.
“Is something wrong?” Isla asked just as two women came hurrying over to them with breathless smiles. Immediately she tried to smile back.
The taller of the two hastily fixed her cloak. She would surely be called a fairy by Lacey for her delicate features and apparent elegance. “What an absolute delight to meet you! I’m Lady Verity, Duchess of Halewood. And this is––”
“Isabel, of course. Duchess of Eastwynd.”
Their enthusiasm and broad smiles were much more than Isla would have expected. While she smiled, she glanced at Ronan for guidance, but he was merely rolling his eyes with very clear annoyance.
Very well, I might as well… introduce myself to two duchesses. Goodness!
“What a pleasure it is to meet you both. I’m sorry, I am rather caught unawares here. But a pleasure, to be certain,” Isla nodded eagerly. Then she winced. “Oh! I’m Isla. Isla MacLaren.”
“I am so glad to meet you,” Verity beamed before shooting a sharp glare at Ronan. “It is clear I might not have had another opportunity.”
Isla wondered if this was somehow her fault. “I… I beg your pardon?”
“Do ignore her, she grows grumpier with every child,” Isabel whispered theatrically with an exaggerated wink.
“It’s only my third child,” Verity protested before covering what was not yet an official bump. Her pout transformed back into that lovely smile, however, as she focused back on Isla. “Genevieve couldn’t join us, but we are very happy to make your acquaintance.”
Isabel helpfully added, “Genevieve is married to Julian. All four of our husbands have been friends for years.”
Flushing in confusion and intrigue, Isla looked to Ronan. He still had yet to say anything even though their carriage had arrived. “How lovely.”
“We are very glad to welcome you to the family. I know you’re not wed yet, the two of you, but we couldn’t be more hopeful,” Verity went on brightly.
“It’s been such a struggle trying to make your acquaintance, to put it bluntly, so I thought we had best find you out ourselves.
And what a lovely coincidence to find you here! ”
“I don’t think your husbands will appreciate you staying out here all night,” Ronan finally interrupted.
“If you would work on your poor manners, we could have stayed inside,” Verity told him primly. “Next time, don’t ignore the notes I send you in the opera.”
Ronan rolled his eyes. “I shouldn’t like to make Tristan jealous.”
Something about that made the two duchesses laugh.
Isla felt like she was dancing on uneven ground, trying to make sense of how to handle this strange conversation.
The two women were very happy and clearly friends.
And they hardly troubled themselves with Ronan who…
Now that she took a closer look, he was trying to hold back a smile of his own.
She managed to relax. “I’m sorry, I shall have to intercede on his notes next time. I am very glad to meet you both now, and hopefully Lady Genevieve soon.”
“You shall! Indeed, tomorrow.”
“Oh, I forgot about that!”
“Because you’re not going,” Isabel corrected Verity. “You’re supposed to be readying for your return to the countryside. I don’t even know why you returned in the first place.”
Waving a hand flippantly in the air, Verity said, “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not missing this now. No, I shall be there. Do tell her, won’t you?”
I have a feeling I have another outing to attend now.
“My husband and I have begun to support a local orphanage,” Isabel told her quickly.
“We’re going for a charity visit. I do this every month to make sure everything is clean and tidy and the children are well-cared for.
Now, I bring friends and potential investors to entertain the youth and do what we can for them. ”
“Oh, that is very inspiring.” Isla hesitated for a second. She thought of the pinched pennies and dire circumstances at home that she feared could have her sisters there if she wasn’t careful. “I would love to.”
“Shall we meet you there?” Isabel asked.
Verity nudged her. “Or we can come retrieve you.”
“No.” Ronan stepped up. “I can attend her. She needs a chaperone if she’s going to be with the two of you, anyways.”
The two ladies laughed while Isla stared at him, slowly realizing that was a joke. Mostly. She shook her head at him before turning to the duchesses. “It would seem we will both be there tomorrow. How glad I am to have met you both.”
“Try saying that again in a year,” Verity teased brightly. “Well, we had best be on our way. The husbands worry, you know. Ronan, dearest, don’t forget.”
“We mean it,” Isabel added and then sent Isla a wink. “Tomorrow, then!”
“Tomorrow,” she promised.
The duchesses left and Isla breathlessly sat down in the carriage with Ronan.
It only took them a moment to be on their way.
She fumbled with her gloves as she waited for the duke to say something, to talk about his friends or mention the ladies.
Would they be invited to the wedding? She wasn’t certain since he had already taken care of a few arrangements but she knew nothing about guests.
Only Ronan didn’t say another word until they were pulling up at her home. She glanced about as he led her up to the door.
“Are you all right if we attend tomorrow?” Isla felt inclined to ask. “Because if it will be a problem…”
“It’s not. I never said it would be a problem.”
So he was choosing to be obstinate again. “I know, but you hardly seem interested. It’s hard to sort out what to think with you sometimes.”
“Do you want me to tell you what to think?”
She huffed. “No, certainly not.”
“Very well. All is well, Lady Isla.” He took the key from her hand and twisted it in the lock, opening the door. His face was in shadow, making it difficult to understand his meaning when he told her, “Good night and I shall see you tomorrow after eleven.”
Isla supposed she didn’t have a choice.
That night, she alerted her mother to the plan and they readied her dress before she retired for the evening. In the morning, she took a walk and played games with Lacey before readying for the outing.
Ronan was prompt as ever, bringing her to his carriage to lead her across London.
It was another quiet journey though she did attempt to ask him about his morning.
She learned little besides how little he prefers to eat upon rising and he had stayed in London instead of his country estate for today’s adventure.
“Are you certain this is all right?” Isla felt she had to ask when they descended from the carriage in a glum sort of street that carried a heavy stench she tried not to breathe in. “I don’t mean to be a bother.”
“You’re not. And this isn’t. Shall we?”
Isla studied him for a moment, noticing he was somewhat uncomfortable, but she could tell nothing more. So she accepted his offered arm and let him lead.
Although the street was filthy, the inside of the orphanage was sparkling clean upon their entry.
It was a large hall filled with several other ladies and a few other gentlemen.
There, she was introduced to everyone. There were no other dukes here today but she did meet Genevieve, another energetic duchess who helped lead her along.
“We’ll inspect the kitchens and beds before going on to the play rooms and school room,” she explained helpfully. “Those rooms are further in. Oh, and the yard. They have their own garden to grow vegetables and a place to play outside in the sunshine.”
“Or the gray,” Verity chimed in. “But at least it’s safe outside.”
Isabel nodded, coming near them again. “I do wish we could take them out to the countryside, but Sebastian pointed out the proximity to the city gives them better opportunities once they are older an on their own. I don’t like it, but I understand the sentiment.”
“It’s very thoughtful,” Isla offered.
“Thank you so kindly! Do feel free to ask any questions, of course. Carry on, ladies, I must speak to Mrs. Ambroise about the well.” Off she skipped while Isla had another duchess on either arm.
Their party carried on from room to room. It was a clean sort of space for what they could manage in this part of London, Isla surmised, and she was impressed at the orderliness of the space. She listened more than spoke, soaking in the conversations.
Perhaps someday I can support this too, or a place like it. Every child deserves a welcoming home.
Eventually they made it to the outside courtyard, which Isla could understand why it was everyone’s favorite. The architecture was modified to look like an Italian villa with scoped molding along the rooftop and plants growing in vines up the walls.