Chapter 27
“Never again,” Isabel vowed as she put the bank note in Thomas’s hand.
Her cheeks were flushed as though she had raced through half of England instead of merely hastening from her home. How she had forgotten to bring this to Thomas yesterday, she didn’t know. But why he couldn’t have waited until later, she also didn’t know.
I should have just told Sebastian the truth. I know he doesn’t care for Thomas, but he has nothing to worry about.
“Never?” Thomas furrowed his brow. “Are you two strapped for money as well?”
She shifted uneasily in the front hall. After looking over her shoulder to be certain that no one was there, she nudged him toward the door. “It isn’t about that. It’s about you having manners. I said not today, Thomas, and you came anyway.”
“So you won’t help me again?”
“That isn’t what I mean. I only meant…” Isabel sucked in a deep breath.
Her brother wasn’t married, so he couldn’t really understand. She had just lied to Sebastian in the study about what she was doing. It made her feel sick to her stomach. What had compelled her to be so distrustful?
“Just go. Please?” Isabel added sternly.
“I wouldn’t dream of bothering you,” he said defensively. “Had I known I was such a burden to you, I wouldn’t have come.”
She sighed. “I didn’t say you were a burden. Can we talk later, please? I have other matters to attend to today.”
Rolling his eyes, her brother pouted like he was still a child.
“Right, your dress fitting. It isn’t as though you don’t have enough.
But very well. Never mind me, you know how upsetting the cold is for me.
I thank you very much, Isabel, for your generosity.
Am I still invited to accompany you to the ball tomorrow? ”
“Yes, so long as you behave yourself.”
He tapped his nose. “You know me.”
That’s what worries me.
Isabel sighed, closing the door after him.
She hadn’t suggested Thomas should also come to London.
A good part of her had hoped he would return to their parents to make peace with them.
But maybe, while he was here, he could sort out his legal matters.
He could put his life back on the right path like he kept promising.
And then I can stop worrying about him.
Pushing him from her mind, she moved on through her day. She had made a few mistakes she would rectify with the men in her life. But that could be done later. She had her dress fitting, she purchased a new rug from the entryway, and put in a new order for oysters to enjoy that evening.
Sebastian was late to supper.
“My sincerest apologies. I’ve been added to nearly every committee,” he said. “It has my head underwater visiting these parties and sorting out matters. I imagine it will only get worse as the season carries on.”
“That’s all right,” she reassured him, restraining any disappointment. “I’m only glad to have supper with you.”
“As am I.”
They ate quietly. Though she had a chance to tell him about Thomas, Isabel couldn’t bring herself to do that. Instead, she decided to do something better.
“My gift is finally ready for you,” she admitted. “Do you have some free time this evening?”
“For you, definitely. I was only hoping to get in some reading. That can be handled afterward. I’m excited to see about this promised gift you keep alluding to,” he added with a tilt of his lips.
She scrunched her nose. “You know, it is real.”
“Of course it is.”
A surprised laugh escaped her. “And yet your face says you remain unconvinced. Very well. I’m finished eating. Are you?”
He rose immediately. “Certainly.”
After informing their servants they would take some tea in the library afterward, she led him toward the stairs. She put out one hand for the banister just as he took her other hand. That made her pause, watching him cradle her arm in his.
“Shall we?” he asked her.
Trying to ignore the skipping of her heartbeat, Isabel nodded. She shouldn’t have been nervous. But London life was feeling more different than ever before. So was her relationship with Sebastian. She didn’t remember being this nervous with him before.
Into the library they went. There was a small fire already set up for them in the corner. Around the sofa they went, and then she stopped.
“What…” Sebastian glanced around in confusion for a moment. And then he saw it. She bit her lip. Holding her breath, she started to step away to give him a moment with the new painting she’d recently set on the wall in the nicest frame. Only Sebastian’s grip tightened. “Good lord. Isabel…”
It was impossible to know what he meant right then. “Oh dear. Do you loathe it?”
“I…”
“You didn’t have any portraits in Eastwynd,” Isabel carried on hastily.
“Not of yourself, not really. And you deserve one. I couldn’t tell if you would mind or not.
But you deserve a portrait, a fine one that shows the world just how strong and handsome and good you are.
I tried my best, truly, but if you loathe it even one inch, I’ll tear it down and burn it. I swear.”
“Don’t you dare.” Sebastian turned to her, taking her chin in his hand. The strength of his gaze left her wobbling on her feet. “You’re an artist.”
She swallowed hard. “I tried.”
“You are. I never thought I would care to see myself… but you did an incredible thing. A miracle, even.”
A shaky laugh escaped her as she shook her head. “It’s not that brilliant.”
“It is if I say it is,” he added with a wry smile. “Thank you, Isabel, from the bottom of my heart.”
Sebastian didn’t kiss her then, even when she caught him looking at her lips.
Because she would have let him. But his gratitude was sweet enough in the moment.
Isabel swallowed back her desires while she watched him set his glasses on the bridge of his nose to study the art a little longer.
Her heart pounded against her ribs for the entire twenty minutes and even until she was curled up in her blankets.
She only wished she had fallen asleep before she could hear a past conversation with Thomas in her head.
“Does he even desire you?”
“Thomas, you have despicable manners.”
“I mean it. Does he even like you? The man seems to give you nothing. I only say this because I care. Because you deserve better. Is there any woman at all that he likes?”
Isabel huffed to herself, shoving the memory out. Thomas was only a fool. As for Sebastian, well… there was still so much she didn’t know about him, but she knew he cared for her. Right now, she tried to convince herself, that would have to be enough.
The following day was her first ball of the season. The entire day, she spent in her room talking herself up in the mirrors and reflections of her windows.
It would be her first big event as a duchess. She didn’t think she should be nervous, and yet…
“What if it all goes wrong?” She whispered to Amber while the pearls were sewn carefully into her hair.
“Then you come back here, and we put you back together again,” her maid reassured her.
“I’m certain it will go just fine. You look so beautiful!
Did you not survive the family shame prior to marriage?
Of course you did. And now you have the Eastwynd title.
The Vale name. The duke as your husband.
No one can ever hurt you again, not unless you let them. ”
Not unless I let them. Which I won’t.
“Thank you,” Isabel told Amber gratefully. “I don’t know where I would be without you. Get yourself to bed when you desire. I’ll put myself down whenever I return and tell you all in the morning.”
Down the hall she hastened, collecting her cloak and muff in the front hall. She made her way out to the mews where Thomas had already arrived, and then heard the door open behind her.
“Sebastian!”
“I heard there is a ball tonight.” He gave her one of those rare smiles. The man looked awfully handsome in dark gray. She hated to admit it, but the color worked wonders for his green eyes and dark hair that curled perfectly around his ears and brow. “I thought I might accompany you.”
“Certainly! I…” She hesitated before glancing over her shoulder. “I hope you don’t mind, but Thomas will be joining us.”
The smile faded even as Sebastian nodded. Although she couldn’t read his mind, she could sense he wasn’t particularly thrilled about the additional company. “But of course. May I?”
She was helped into the carriage. Thomas followed and sat beside her, leaving Sebastian to sit across from them. It only took a moment for them to be on their way.
Isabel had hoped for friendly conversation to soothe her nerves, but no one seemed interested in talking. Eventually, they arrived at the ball and entered.
“May I?” Sebastian was right at her side passing the doorway as he offered her his arm.
“Oh, I was going to,” Thomas said with a huff.
After giving her brother a look, Isabel turned to Sebastian. “Thank you, my dear. I didn’t think you would have come tonight. But I am very glad of it.”
“As am I. I will always make time for you,” he reassured her as they started slowly through the receiving line. “Speaking of such persons, where did your brother go?”
“He’s right…” But he was right. Thomas had disappeared in the blink of an eye. Frowning, Isabel glanced around. “Oh bother. He’s probably gone off to hide in the cigar room. I must apologize for him?”
Sebastian shook his head. “Don’t. The man is grown and makes his own decisions. As for myself, I intend to enjoy myself tonight.”
“Oh?”
He gave her a quick look. “With you, of course.”
“Oh.”
They made it through the receiving line, greeting their host and hostess, before making their way down into the ballroom. Although she had no intention of taking Sebastian seriously, she was soon proven wrong as he requested her hand to dance.
“I thought it was unsavory for a gentleman to dance with his wife,” Isabel said with a raised eyebrow.
He was already scooping up her dance card. “I think it’s acceptable to court scandal now and again.”