Page 72 of A Virgin for the Duke of Scars
But Lady Isabella was insistent. “Oh, but I am not just anybody. He did tell you about our betrothal, didn’t he?”
She had the sweetest smile on her face.
This was something she had never experienced in the convent. She was told to speak only in kindness or not at all. Like Lady Isabella, the people of thetonsmiled at her at this party, while she felt certain they were already spreading gossip of the Duke’s bride talking with his former betrothed.
Let them talk.
“Only that your betrothal meant nothing to him,” she offered.
Lady Isabella tossed back her head. Her blonde hair fell down her back like a waterfall, and her sparkling laughter filled the air.
“Why, of course he did! He could not tell you how much I broke his heart when I broke off our engagement. I was young and simply traumatized by his appearance.” She paused and looked Theresa up and down, the disdain in her eyes plain. “I was harsh, but I was still a better match than a nun.”
“There are many things that can be learned from analmostnun,” Theresa corrected her.
She plastered a smile on her face. If this was how ladies of thetonacted, then she would do the same.
“For example, you may consider talking to God more.”
“Whatever would I need to pray for?”
“Because I may not be able to forgive you for your words, but it is possible that God might.”
Aaron stepped up to her as she said those last words. He gave her a look that she could not decipher before turning his gaze to Lady Isabella.
Theresa did not have to look hard to see the resentment in his eyes, but she was unsure whether it was directed at her or Lady Isabella.
“You will leave my wife,” he said curtly.
Lady Isabella scoffed and gave him the same sweeping look. The difference was that she did not feel inclined to stay when Aaron commanded her to leave.
Theresa hoped that one day she would be able to command this much power.
Still, she was angry with her husband for not telling her the truth about his betrothal. Lady Isabella had broken it off?
That was not the impression Theresa had gotten in the gazebo at the last garden party. She had assumed that it was a mutual decision, or that Aaron had initiated it if he had no true feelings for Lady Isabella.
How is it possible that Lady Isabella ended the betrothal, and he was now here withher?
He had to be in love with Lady Isabella still. It was the only reasonable explanation Theresa could come up with for why he refused to be more intimate with her and tell her the truth about his engagement.
Aaron turned to her and opened his mouth to speak when Lady Sophia stepped onto the dais and called for attention.
“It is time for the treasure hunt!” She announced.
An excited murmur swept through the crowd.
Theresa had not known there would be games to play at this party. She had thought she would socialize a bit with Aaron’s friends and dance with him the rest of the time. She had been looking forward to indulging in the punch.
The guests began to pair up. Not knowing anyone else, she had no choice but to accept Aaron’s arm when he offered it.
“It would be my pleasure to partner with you,” he said.
She forced a smile on her face.
“Bitterness is not becoming,”Sister Edith’s voice whispered in her mind.
Lady Sophia shared the first clue, though Theresa barely registered it. Aaron pulled her toward the opposite side of the ballroom, and she simply followed. At another party on another night, she might have had fun with this game.
