Page 35 of A Scottish Bride for the Duke
“I’ve heard great things,” Isobel said. “We have a similar shop in Edinburgh.”
The duke’s gaze fixed on her. “You have been often to the city, ma’am?”
“Of course. It’s the capital of my country. And I have experienced one half of a Season there before?—”
She stopped.
“There is more potential for finding a husband in London,” the duchess said, and Isobel agreed with a nod.
They had not overtly agreed not to tell the duke the full details behind her flee to London, but it seemed as though the duchess understood her every wish.
When spending time with the other lady in this way, Isobel could understand how she and her mother had been such good friends.
“I see,” he said coolly and looked out of the window for the remainder of the journey.
It had been a long time since Adrian had attended ladies while they were shopping, and he sincerely hoped it was the last.
Whatever his mother wanted to believe, Isobel was hiding something, and he doubted it was anything good.
Yet, confound her, she had a way of smiling when she was not looking at him that was downright enchanting. A lopsided dimple formed in her cheek, and her eyes sparkled. Given she was a Scot with dubious motives, he ought not to feel anything for her.
But as her slim fingers brushed across fabric in the seamstress’s cramped front room, he could not help imagining those fingers on other things. Other places. How her small hands might feel wrapped around?—
He cleared his throat violently and looked out of the windows at the busy streets beyond. At this time, he could be anywhere else. Fencing, perhaps. At his club. Riding out, even. At home, in his study, applying himself to the work that so desperately needed to be done.
Instead, he was here, watching as his mother purchased a set of gowns for the next few days, then commissioned some to be designed for Lady Isobel.
For her part, the lady herself looked as though this generosity was more than she could ever have hoped for.
His mother glanced over, and Lady Isobel gave another of these delectable smiles. He found himself oddly charmed by her freckles, of all things. They, in conjunction with her brown-green eyes, made her seem a little like a woodland elf. Her auburn curls, falling around her face, only added to the impression.
“Thank you,” his mother said graciously to the seamstress, who bowed her head deeply.
“Are we done?” Adrian asked as they finally emerged into the sunlight.
“Not even remotely,” his mother said. “We have yet to look at bonnets, and she needs a lady’s underthings.”
Adrian stoically stared straight ahead, not allowing his face to display the way his heart had lurched at the thought.
He had seen a lady’s underthings before; that was nothing new. And yet, when he thought about Isobel in such unmentionables, he could feel his heart racing and his palms sweating.Arousal, moving through his body.
Nonsense. He hadn’t even seen her in any state of undress. He had no concept of how her body might feel against his, save for the moments he had crushed her against him. Soft breasts, soft belly, generous hips and thighs.
Perfection in female form.
“I hardly think it appropriate if I am there,” he said with as much reserve as he could manage. “I’ll wait outside.”
His mother gave him a knowing smile. “That is very sensible, Adrian.”
Lady Isobel, curse her, looked as though she was biting her cheeks to keep from laughing.
“Now, shall we go?” the lady asked, gesturing her charges down the road.
Adrian strode behind, letting them take the lead. Although he would not have thought to accompany them without his mother’s prompting, he found himself relieved that he’d decided to do so. Although he could not be said to be having a wonderful time, thiswasnecessary to show solidarity and support for Lady Isobel. There were worse things.
He wondered what was in the letter that she’d given his mother. If he’d been a different man, a less honorable one, he might have checked inside. Now, that was impossible, and he couldn’t help but feel sorry he hadn’t taken the opportunity when it had arrived.
Still.
