Chapter 7
Isolde was back in the library the next morning, sitting in the window seat that was quickly becoming one of her favorite spots. She stared out the window and contemplated the events of the night before.
So much had happened in just one night! The confrontation with Lord Crowley, the walk in the garden afterward, dancing with Thaddeus and then so many other men, even making some new friends.
But it was the garden where her mind lingered, the moment when Thaddeus had pushed an errant curl behind her ear. She shivered now remembering the curve of his finger around the shell of her ear.
The sound of the door opening pushed that memory from her mind. She jumped, startled, but relaxed when she saw it was just Annora. Her cousin had stayed the night, and Isolde had left her to sleep in. Annora crept in, looking around the room in awe.
“What a house this is, Isolde!” she exclaimed. “I should rather like to live here myself, perhaps your marquess would not notice if we switched places?”
Isolde laughed.
“Unfortunately, dear, I believe he would. And he’s not my marquess.” Annora ignored this last part and flopped down on the window seat beside her.
“Speaking of love ...” she began.
“We were not.” Isolde frowned.
“... I believe I met someone last night,” Annora carried on, her eyes taking on a dreamy look. Isolde couldn’t resist teasing her a little bit.
“Only one?” she asked. “It seemed to me that you danced every dance. Surely you met more than one person?”
“Isolde!” Annora scolded. “Don’t pretend not to understand me! You know very well I’m saying that there was a man at the ball who held my interest.”
Isolde laughed and scooted closer to her cousin.
“Forgive me, dear. I could not resist, but yes, I understand what you’re saying. Who was it?”
“A man I danced with …” Annora trailed off for a moment, starry-eyed, then continued, “He was ever so handsome – and smart, too! We talked of such interesting things. And I know it’s very soon to say it, but I believe he felt for me as I do for him.”
Isolde watched her cousin’s face with affection and a tiny sliver of envy. It sounded so effortless, and she wondered what it would have been like to find love that way.
“So who is this smart and handsome man that has won my cousin’s heart so quickly?”
“Well, I can’t say for sure,” Annora replied. “I did not get his name.”
“Didn’t get his name?” Isolde gasped, feeling scandalized. “How is that possible? Surely you were introduced?”
“Well, of course, normally we would have been, but my dance partner was summoned away just as the waltz was starting and this man very benevolently jumped in to save me from standing alone like a fool. It was quite romantic, darling.”
“But surely you asked for his name after the dance had finished?” Isolde stared at her cousin, aghast.
“But darling, after that, we danced some more! And besides, who cares about names or titles? I’m talking about love.
” Annora looked at Isolde’s face and giggled.
“Do not worry, my dear. There will be ever so many more balls this season. I am sure to meet him again. Besides, I believe it must be fate.”
Isolde shook her head.
“I’m happy for you, of course, but I do not see how you could be in love with a man you just met.” Even as the words left her mouth, she pictured Thaddeus. Again, she thought of that moment in the garden, his face so close to hers.
Having Crowley that close to her had made her feel sick, her whole body rejecting him. But Thaddeus had been different. Having him so close had made her heart race … Isolde pulled herself from this reverie to see Annora watching her with a raised eyebrow.
“And how are things with you and the Marquess of Hartington?” she asked, as if she knew where Isolde’s thoughts had been.
“What do you mean?” Isolde asked, flustered, and Annora shrugged.
“Just that I wondered if he might have mentioned a change of heart. I saw the two of you dancing. You seemed quite close. I even caught some smiles passing between you. Are you sure nothing has changed between you?”
“Of course, nothing has changed,” Isolde said, even as she felt the ghost of his finger tucking her hair behind her ear, and her heart started to beat a little faster. “We have a plan, and we’ve agreed to stick to it.”
Isolde could tell Annora was not convinced and was thankful that their conversation was interrupted when the door opened.
That is, she was thankful until Thaddeus appeared in the doorway. She blushed and told herself that it was just because he’d nearly caught them talking about him.
“Ah, Miss Fairchild, at last I’ve found you. Miss White, good morning.” He inclined his head toward them both, but his manner was reserved. He barely looked at Isolde as he spoke.
“Good morning, My Lord,” Annora replied, a smirk dancing at the corners of her mouth.
“Forgive me, Lord Hartington,” Isolde said. “I did not know you were looking for me.”
Thaddeus waved his hand.
“It’s no matter. I’ve only come to inform you that I shall depart for London. I have a few days of business there.”
Isolde did not know why that news made her feel suddenly cross. It was a perfectly expected thing, for a lord to have business in the city.
“I hope you will travel well and your business goes agreeably,” she said, and for a moment his eyes glanced to hers. When their gazes met, it was as if his cold manner dropped.
Behind it there was something else, a look she did not understand, but it sent a shiver up her spine and a fluttering sensation through her stomach. Then he looked away again, and it was gone.
“Thank you. Hopefully, I will not be gone long. While I’m away, you, of course, have the freedom to do as you wish.
I simply ask that you attend any events the family has been invited to – my mother and sister shall accompany you, of course.
I think that will be the best course of action to …
keep everything going according to plan. ”
Isolde realized he was trying to speak vaguely, not realizing Annora knew of their plan. He was telling her to keep up appearances, but also subtly hinting that she could use those occasions to look for a love match.
Her stomach did an odd flip at the idea of attending balls and other events without him, talking to other men, hoping one of them might be a match.
It was a quite different feeling than the one his gaze had given her just moments before. The plan suddenly seemed like an impossible and very silly thing, indeed.
She gave herself a mental shake. This was just Annora, getting under her skin with her ridiculous suggestions. This plan was her way to freedom and to help her family as well.
“Of course, My Lord,” she said aloud. “I should be happy to attend any events and whatever else is requested of me.”
Their eyes met again, and his gaze was dark, unfathomable. Something flitted across his face, an emotion she wanted to chase, but it was gone in an instant.
“Thank you,” he said.
“Whatever for?” she asked, surprised.
“For your good nature and your gracious manner. I am sure –” He stopped himself. “I know you will represent the family well.”
Isolde blinked, puzzled by such an odd compliment. Before she could even thank him, he gave a short bow and disappeared, closing the door behind him.
Isolde turned back to her cousin and found Annora looking somehow equal parts smug and bewildered.
“Isolde, darling, how can you possibly be thinking of going through with your ridiculous plan, when you have a man – not just any man, a marquess – right here, and willing to give you anything you want?”
“Don’t be absurd, Annora,” Isolde replied, though Annora’s words made her feel a little giddy.
But no – her thoughts may be lingering in places they shouldn’t, but Thaddeus had made it clear he did not want to marry her.
Hadn’t he just reminded her of their plan?
“He is only doing his duty by me until he can be done with the matter.”
Annora shook her head, amazement on her face.
“I don’t think so, my dear. I saw the way he looked at you just now. It went well beyond duty.”