Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
“My head aches,” Isabella muttered under her breath, her hand clutching her chest tightly under the fabric of her nightdress instead of her head.
The morning dawned grey and thin, and pale light slipped weakly through the curtains of her chamber. It was the sort of morning that held more chill than warmth, the kind that whispered of winter long before it fully arrived.
Isabella had woken before the light, rising with the ache that overwhelmed her after the night she had endured. Sleep had come in restless fragments for her, scattered pieces of dreams and memories, all of which inevitably circled back to the same thought.
Or rather, the same man. And the same kiss.
In a desperate attempt to steady her mind, she had called for her maid. She was now seated in front of her mirror, readying herself for an outing with her family.
“You’re up early, My Lady,” Collette said soothingly as her fingers worked through Isabella’s tangled hair.
Isabella didn’t respond, so lost in thought, she didn’t hear the question.
Taking the initiative, the young maid continued the rest of her work in silence, occasionally passing worried glances at Isabella even as she began dressing her up.
The familiar motions of lacing and fastening calmed Isabella’s nerves, but it wasn’t nearly enough.
She needed open space to let out her pent-up frustration.
She was glad for the day that had been planned in the park.
It would provide her with fresh air and an opportunity to settle her thoughts.
There was no space to think in her chambers, not when images of the duke’s heated kisses had plagued her dreams.
His tongue, moving over her neck in heated pursuit, along with his hands moving up her sides, made heat rise in her cheeks.
“Are you feeling ill, My Lady?” Colette asked, her voice heavy with concern as she stopped to examine Isabella’s flushed cheeks in her reflection.
Suddenly realizing that she had allowed her thoughts to wander, Isabella sucked in a sharp breath.
“I am well, thank you, Colette. I was just thinking of everything that I still need to do regarding the club. You may finish lacing my dress.” She forced a smile and placed her hands on her hips, focusing on her breathing as her maid continued.
I cannot allow myself to get distracted like this. No matter how that kiss made me feel…
Once ready, Isabella headed down to the dining room where she found her father having breakfast alone.
“Good morning,” she greeted him upon her arrival at the table.
“Good morning, my dear. Are you headed to Everthorne this early?” he inquired, a thick brow raised.
“No. I merely hope to get some fresh air at the park. Beatrice sent a note yesterday when I was out, saying that she would meet me there,” came her reply.
Her father paused, a worried look taking over his features. “It is settled then,” he said at last. “We shall all go for a walk in Hyde Park. You’re right; one needs to bask in nature to keep a sound and healthy mind.”
Isabella blinked back, confused. She’d meant to go alone to sit with her thoughts and possibly make some sense of her situation before Beatrice and her family arrived, but she could not for the life of her refuse her father or the distraction he promised, so she nodded.
The rest of the family joined them for breakfast, and the outing was all but decided by the time they were done. It was not the day she had planned, but it was at least a distraction.
The air bit at her cheeks the moment they stepped outside.
Isabella wrapped her cloak more tightly around her, grateful for the warmth of the thick wool that had been lined with fur along the collar.
Her gloves were a deep navy blue, matching the pair that Christine had on.
They walked side by side with Henry and little Ellie on either side of them.
“It’s been a while since we’ve all come to this park, dearest,” Christine turned to her husband, narrowing her eyes slightly at him as she adjusted her grip on little Ellie’s arm, her voice carrying just a hint of suspicion.
“Think of it as family bonding time, an exercise to keep us all together,” her father replied before clearing his throat.
Isabella giggled, catching Christine’s attention.
“Did you put your father up to this, Isabella?” her stepmother asked.
“You speak as though you do not know you are the only one capable of making Papa do anything,” Isabella answered, raising a brow.
A rush of color climbed her stepmother’s cheeks that had little to do with the cold nipping at their skin.
The walk continued in light teasing between them until the familiar sound carried through the brisk air, making Isabella lift her head sharply.
“Bella!”
The next moment, Isabella saw Beatrice beaming as she approached with Leo by her side, their little one bundled warmly in his father’s arms.
“Do you still deny that you put your father up to this?” Christine nudged Isabella slightly, her tone teasing.
“This part was planned; it was Papa who decided to allow everyone to tag along. I hadn’t the slightest notion that everyone would be joining.” Isabella’s response was seized from her lips the moment Beatrice reached them.
She enveloped Isabella in a warm embrace, pressing a kiss to her cheek. Isabella returned the gesture with equal affection, her heart easing in her chest as Leo stepped forward with the child.
“Good morning, family,” Leo greeted warmly before offering a gentle nod while their little one reached out with gloved hands, babbling.
Isabella brushed a soft kiss to the child’s forehead, and the child cooed, followed by a giggle that drew Ellie’s attention.
“I would like to see Edward, too,” Ellie cried to Leo, tugging the fabric of his coat.
“I’m afraid you are still too little to have him in your arms, Ellie. However,” Isabella was saying, but she was cut off by her father stepping forward with his arms stretched toward Leo.
“Then I shall ensure neither Ellie nor Edward comes to any harm.”
The family quieted a fraction, watching the two in their exchange. Edwin had accepted Leo as his son-in-law; however, the two had never interacted for longer than was necessary and always avoided each other in informal settings such as this one.
“Of course, Father,” Leo beamed, handing Edward over.
“Can I see Eddy now, Papa?” Ellie turned to her father, and just like that, the tension cleared.
It was a lively reunion, the sort that naturally drew smiles from passersby. But even amidst the happiness, Beatrice’s sharp, knowing, and endlessly perceptive eyes did not stop watching Isabella.
After a moment, she slid her arm through Isabella’s and announced, “If you would excuse us, Bella and I should like a little stroll alone. It has been far too long since we shared our thoughts in private.”
Both families nodded easily, accustomed to the twins’ need to be by themselves. Their father waved them off with a smile, and Beatrice led Isabella away and down a quieter pathway lined with bare trees.
Hyde Park was covered in a thick blanket of ice, making the brown leaves crunch beneath their boots as they strolled in the direction of the icy lake.
Their breaths were visible as they walked, adding to the chill that had kept most of the families at bay this time of year.
It was no surprise that Christine had been curious as to why they had all been taken on a walk.
A small part of Isabella wondered if her father was not growing curious over her continued outings to Everthorne House.
Once they were out of earshot, Beatrice wasted no time.
“Well?” she asked directly. “What happened at the club yesterday? I know something did. You look odd, Bella.”
Isabella exhaled slowly. The knot in her stomach tightened. Of course, she could not hide a thing from her twin, so she steadied her breath, preparing herself to speak.
“We had… an incident,” she began cautiously. “Lady Kendrick arranged for a group of performers, shirtless performers, to surprise the ladies.” She lowered her voice before glancing over her shoulder to ensure that the family was indeed far enough behind them.
Beatrice’s brows shot up so high, they nearly disappeared beneath her bonnet.
“Shirtless?” She gasped in shock, gripping Isabella’s arm a little tighter.
“Yes,” Isabella answered stiffly.
“Performers?” Beatrice uttered single words, her face betraying the shock and confusion in her thoughts.
“Yes,” Isabella ran her tongue over her lips, trying her best to keep her gaze fixed on the empty lake before them.
“In Everthorne’s ballroom?” Beatrice asked in disbelief, shaking her head slightly as she frowned.
Isabella let out a defeated sigh. “Yes. You can ask as many times and in as many ways as you wish, Bea, but the answers will remain the same. There were shirtless performers in the ballroom at Everthorne House.”
“Oh, dear heavens.” Beatrice pressed her hand dramatically to her chest. “I do see why London has erupted. I did not wish to mention the gossip first, but since you have confirmed it…”
“That is not even the worst of it,” Isabella murmured, not even caring that half of London was already buzzing with the news.
That part of it had been inevitable, but what had happened after the fact…
Her pulse skittered along with her heart as she paused.
Beatrice’s gaze sharpened, her steps slowing. “Go on.”
“Well… we were caught.” Isabella started cautiously, uncertain of how to broach the subject with her sister. She had told Beatrice all of her secrets as far back as she could recall, but this was different.
“By whom?” Beatrice’s face softened to a curious frown.
“Who else? The Duke of Everthorne, Bea!” Isabella blurted.
Beatrice let out a loud gasp; her eyes widened in shock.