Chapter 29
Isla was going to faint.
She could feel it. The lightness that flooded through her body. The ballroom was too warm. She was floating. She felt like a cloud, too light to stay on her two feet. Though she held tightly to Ronan, she feared she might even lose him.
Is it possible to adore someone so much?
Then Ronan started to straighten up, putting distance between them. She blinked as brightness settled around her vision. Candles flickered everywhere. They weren’t in private. She had forgotten that.
“Shall we find some refreshments?” He asked her now.
“Hm? What? That is, I mean,” she stammered, not certain what had become of her, “Yes. Refreshments. Drinks. I could… I could use one.”
He winked. “Or two?”
“Maybe two but we’ll start with one,” Isla decided.
Warmth flooded her cheeks as she darted a look around, wondering if anyone was watching. Had anyone seen the gentle kiss he’d bestowed on her brow? Such a quick second she would remember tenderly for the rest of her days. The way he could warm her very heart so speedily left Isla awfully dizzy.
But she didn’t mind.
Especially as he teased her about another kiss. No, not a tease. He meant it. She could see that in his eyes. Ronan did wish to kiss her again, and it sounded like he wished to do so on her lips.
It’s awfully unfashionable to care for one’s husband, but I don’t think I can help it any longer. He really is too charming. And I think he means every word. Oh bother, what if I do faint?
She clung tightly to Ronan as he guided her through the crowd.
The duke knew how to manage a crowd. There were times he moved ahead of her and others he went first in her place.
His touch was polite and respectful which almost annoyed Isla after his generous touches during the waltz.
But she reminded herself they were in public, and it was better this way.
No one else needed or deserved to see such intimacy between them.
The very thought made her blush. What if he really did kiss her again? Would she be ready? Would it go well?
Part of Isla was wondering if falling off that horse had been the perfect accident. She would endure another tumble like that again to keep Ronan close. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought it possible to have him looking at her again, holding her close, and dancing in public with her.
It’s a small miracle that is all mine and I can hardly comprehend it.
“Careful,” Ronan murmured as he led her around the final corner. “This is ridiculously crowded. Perhaps I should have taken you up on the offer to leave.”
She chuckled. “I never actually suggested we leave the ball, simply that we didn’t dance. But you did dance with me, and if you can dance with me, you can suffer a little crowd.”
“You’re fortunate I suffer so well.”
That made her laugh outright. Judging by the spark in Ronan’s eye, he meant for that to happen.
She could hardly believe this was really happening.
The duke almost appeared to be enjoying himself.
No, he did, only he was trying––not that hard, mind you––to pretend that wasn’t the case.
But she saw the way his eyes lit up around his friends, the other dukes, and the way he looked at her when they danced.
There came that blush again. She could feel the heat in her cheeks spreading down her neck and across her ears. It couldn’t be helped. Ronan was right at her side, charming her, and she felt warm and thrilled to be around him.
“Here,” he said as he offered her a goblet. “They’re replacing the sherry so this is all that is left.”
She took a sip and nearly choked, sputtering. “What on earth is in that?”
Grinning, he drained his glass before nudging hers back to her lips. “Port, of course. Indulge a little. You need something to explain those pretty cheeks or yours or people will start wondering what I’m doing to you.”
“You’re getting me drunk,” Isla scoffed. She blushed some more but took another sip, more measured. She wasn’t used to any sort of drink like this, but was surprised at how it grew sweeter with every gulp.
Then the glass was taken away. “All right, not that much,” Ronan said with ease. “You can get drunk on our way out the door.”
“Are we leaving now then?” She eyed the glass that he now drained, clearly unaffected.
Or is he? Is it the warmth of the room or is he blushing too? How dashing he appears.
“Not yet,” he decided before nodding ahead. “It looks like Lord Elroy wants my attention.”
Gasping, she glanced around and spotted the fellow. “You were looking for him today, weren’t you? For the bill you mentioned. Go on, then you need to catch him before you miss him again.”
An aggravated look crossed over her husband. “But here? He should have been at home which I went to him this morning, not when I’m trying to have an evening with my wife.”
There was no denying the thrill that ran up her spine when she heard him say that.
She took the two glasses from Ronan to put on the passing tray of a servant.
Then she nudged her husband on, knowing he needed a moment with the lord.
“It should only take a moment. Go on, and then you can come find me.”
“Find you? Don’t you dare go anywhere,” he started.
“Find me,” she teased. “It’ll be fun. Go!”
Ronan gave her hand a squeeze as though he were reminding her she was his. Her cheeks grew even hotter. Watching him go, she couldn’t feel the least bit put out as she was the one sending him away. But he would return, and soon, she was sure.
In the meantime, he is right. It’s very warm in here. If the terrace is welcome, I think a moment in the fresh air will put me back to rights.
Off Isla went, quietly humming to the music as she walked the edge of the rooms to find her way to the doors leading outside.
They were cracked open, not fully revealing the outdoors.
But she noticed a straggler or two and lanterns were lit.
It wasn’t entirely off limits. Besides, she wouldn’t be here long.
Moving further away from the ball inside, Isla inhaled deeply the night air. Down below the terrace were the gardens. Fragrant scents washed over her, and she moved toward the stairs for a better sniff.
“Ah, there is the daring duchess.”
Isla gripped the railing tight and nearly tumbled over in surprise at the familiar voice. She twisted about whilst ignoring the wild beating of her heart.
Emerging from the shadows came Lord Percival Dunn. It appeared like he had been waiting there for some time. There was a twisted sneer on his face as he glowered at her, his beady eyes narrowing.
“My lord.” She swallowed hard. “I didn’t see you. I was… I was just leaving.”
Isla turned to go but his words stopped her. “Leave if you want to be the selfish one.”
His words made no sense. She should just go.
There was a voice inside her mind telling her to run off.
Glancing about to ensure no one was watching them, Isla forced herself to look at the lord.
She managed a tight smile and tried to be polite.
It felt only right to do this little after refusing him.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Oh, carry on. You’re a mindless little chit I should have never wasted my time on. But when you go, be sure to tell your Margaret that her life is over.”
Whatever warmth Isla had felt dissipated the moment he mentioned her sister’s name. A chill swept through her soul. She clenched the railing hard, digging her palm into the iron to retain feeling.
“You have no right to speak in such a manner to me,” Isla forced herself to say, not willing to be addressed like this. Especially not her family. “My family has washed our hands of you, Lord Dunn, and I suggest you do the same for us.”
Tsking, he came closer to loom over her. She shrunk back instinctively, hating herself for it. “Why should I? You’ve ruined my plans, you little snit. But I’ve put in the work and I shall reap my rewards. Just like you shall reap your just punishment.”
“You have no need to speak in riddles. I don’t care––”
“About your father’s fraud investments? What a shame?”
Isla stuttered. “What?”
Light from the lanterns lit up the man’s cruel smirk. “We all know how little your father left your family. But he left you even less. I found everything, you know. I did my due diligence. I always do when I make my plans.”
Isla didn’t understand what he said, but forged on all the same. “You have no proof––”
“About his illegal investments? Under false names? Surely the name of the Honorable Mr. Peregrine Quincy rings a bell?”
She had started to skirt around him but paused at the name. Because she did know it. A family friend, her father said. One whom her father never brought around, and her mother never met. They’d meant to send the man an invitation to the funeral but found no address. Isla gulped.
That was answer enough for Dunn who leaned back with a gleaming smile. “I knew it. What a shame the dishonor your father brought to the family. He tried so hard to hide it in the end, but as I said, I have my ways.”
As Isla’s breathing caught, she tried to think. Tried to strategize. She blinked rapidly and struggled to put together an idea. “I… You can’t prove it.”
“I have the documents. Witnesses, too.”
“Fine,” she snarled in frustration. “What do you want for it? Money? An apology?”
The sudden laugh from the older earl made Isla jump. The sound sent a nasty shiver down her spine that made her itch all over the place. “An apology? Don’t be ridiculous. And money I shall have one way or another. With that, you.”
“Me?” She protested in bewilderment. “I am a married lady. A duchess!”
He moved to keep her from leaving. “Your pretty little sister is my next option beyond you, don’t you recall? If I can’t have you, I’ll take her.”
“Never!” Isla wouldn’t let him in her family’s house. She’d move them all back to Scotland if she had to. Or out to the country with her. Whatever it took to keep Dunn from Margaret, she would do.
“You can’t watch her every hour, can you? How fragile a young woman’s reputation is… The right whisper can have her ruined,” he sneered. “Ruined enough that I will be the only one generous enough to accept such a soiled dove.”
Her breath caught in her throat. Beautiful and lively Margaret, only seventeen, could not be married to such a man. He was more monster than earl!
“You can’t,” Isla managed weakly, her voice tight. “Please. You can’t do it. You can’t…”
“Then are you offering yourself?” She didn’t move when his hand, damp with sweat and tight over her dress, squeezed her shoulder. “Because I am willing to do some negotiation here.”
A new sort of dizziness swept over Isla. Panic overwhelmed her as she tried to think, pull herself together. What was she to do? By saving herself, had she doomed her family?
No. No, it can’t be. I have Ronan. He can help. He has to.
“Don’t even think of telling anyone,” Dunn warned like he could read her mind. “It would be of no use. I could deny anything I said here. Remember, I have the proof of your father’s dishonor.”
“But… anything I do… It will destroy everyone,” Isla choked out.
There is no way out of this. I cannot protect Margaret from rumors.
Once someone says something, it’s impossible to pull back.
No matter what I did, she would be ruined.
And she would be ruined if my father’s mistakes were revealed.
Ronan. He would be so ashamed. He would blame me.
Blame all of us. What can I possibly do?
“No, it won’t,” Dunn smiled before leaning forward. “It will only destroy you.”
She shuddered and jerked back to stare at him in horror as she realized this was part of his plan. Part of her had always known. Just because she had escaped him through Ronan was not enough. He wanted her. More than that, he wanted to break her.
If he doesn’t do this now, what other damage will he cause? Who else will be hurt? Ronan? Lacey? Oliver? Oh lord, I couldn’t bear it. He can’t touch any of them!
“What do you even expect me to do?” Isla forced out, frozen in her spot.
Leaning casually against the railing like nothing was amiss, like he wasn’t threatening her future and the future of everyone she loved, Dunn faked a yawn. “Do whatever you like. Pretend none of this happened and hope for the best. Or… You come back to me.”
“What am I to do, divorce the duke?” She stammered.
“I will have you, one way or another,” he said in a low threatening tone. “Tell the ton what you like. That the marriage was a farce. That you were only his mistress. That you were forced into marriage. That you wanted me all alone. You can tell them you couldn’t bear it any longer.”
She was shaking now, trembling from head to toe. “No. I can’t. I… Ronan. The duke will never believe it.”
“Then you had better convince him. The duke and the ton. That’s what matters. And then you can spend the rest of your days convincing me,” he added with a chuckle. The sound twisted her insides. “It’s your choice.”
If she stayed with Ronan, her sister’s future would be destroyed and perhaps the whole of her family. But if she left, she would break her own heart, and destroy what she had built with Ronan.
It’s not much of a choice, is it?