Page 37 of A Scandalous Love for the Enticing Duke
He was grinning again. “Now, who is mad?”
“Will you accept, or not?” She was not up for his teasing any longer. There was so much more at stake. This wasn’t about them.
“You do know that the gentleman asks the lady for a dance, do you not? However, seeing as you asked so sweetly, and we have never shared a dance, I accept.”
She said nothing, only gave him a tight smile as she offered her hand which he instantly took. Where he held her, she felt tingles, but said not a word. Silently, he led her to the dancefloor and as the music began to play, he bowed, she curtsied, and they stepped closer. It was a waltz so her right hand rested on his left shoulder as his left rested on the small of her back. Their other hands clasped, and they began to move to the music.
She had known what colour his eyes were before now. It was the blue of the sea under sunlight. A sharp contrast to her glowing embers. Yet, not any less beautiful. Her body hummed, but she ignored it. Her nerves were simply getting the best of her because she was forced to dance with this man whom she did not like one bit.
They held each other’s eyes as they moved around the dancefloor, the contact only breaking as he spun her. The moment she was back in his arms, it continued.
“Why were you searching for me, Isabelle?”
She was brought back to the matter at hand but did not miss the way he had said her name like only he said it. “I need your help in solving a matter of the heart. I am afraid if we do not act quickly, there shall be a scandal, for I believe neither party could live in such misery for too long.”
“Isabelle, is this a confession? I mean, I am flattered, but you must know I do not deal with matters of the heart.”
Typical of him to think this was about him. “I know many women have told you this Benjamin, but you would never hear it from me. It would do you a lot of good to accept that. Why do you always insist, anyway? Why is it so hard for you to believe that there is a lady who is unaffected by your charm?” She thought she saw a look flicker in his eyes, but it was gone before she could discern what it was.
“So you admit I am charming. And I am aware that there are plenty of ladies who are not terribly interested in me. I only refuse to believe that you aren’t. The eyes do not lie, Isabelle, and I know what I see in yours.”
Hopeless! He was completely hopeless! She gave an exasperated sigh as she stepped away from him and stepped back. “I was talking about the people dearest to us. My sisters and your brother, Nicholas.”
“What have they got to do with us?”
“Everything. Has Nicholas spoken with you regarding the marriage? Does he want this?”
He must have sensed the seriousness in her voice for his teasing was completely gone when he spoke.
“Well, he doesn’t look like he doesn’t want this. Although, he says this is his father’s wish. By now, it is no secret that the Duke suffers from a very terrible ailment.”
She did not know this, but it was nice to know. It answered some questions. “So, you mean to say Nicholas does not really have a choice other than to go ahead with this wedding?”
“I would say. He seems to be smitten, though. I have seen him look at the Lady Agnes with fondness.”
Isabelle had seen him too and had assumed that he had really been looking at Agnes. Now, she knew better. “He hasn’t been looking at Agnes. He has been looking at my younger sister, Eleanor. She is the one who has got him smitten.”
Benjamin’s steps faltered, and because he was leading the dance, she stumbled but managed to only trample on his feet before she regained her composure. Thankfully, the dance came to an end, and as soon as they finished their greetings, Benjamin dragged her hands and led her out of the ballroom. Both said nothing until they entered a bedchamber. Something instantly told her this belonged to Benjamin. Though, neither him nor Nicholas lived here anymore, she had a feeling Witherspoon had had a room here, and still did. He released her hands and walked off to open the windows. Upon his return, he showed her to a seat, but she chose to remain standing. A lamp burned brightly so lighting was no issue.
“Nicholas is besotted by Eleanor, and not his fiancée, Agnes?”
“Yes. What’s more, I have reasons to believe that the feelings are mutual, on Eleanor’s part – that is.”
Benjamin’s eyes widened upon hearing this. He swept a hand through his hair and began to pace as he swore in French. He was a well-travelled and well-read man. That came as no surprise. His apology awed her, though. It proved once again that as exasperating as he could be, he was also a gentleman who did not take to swearing in front of a lady.
“You are certain of this?”
“I wouldn’t be here, otherwise.”
“Who else knows?”
“The parties involved, and the two of us, I believe. I happened upon this discovery by chance, myself.” A pause. “Would you stop pacing, please? I find it quite unsettling.”
He halted instantly. “I apologise. I am only thinking of what this means. Nicholas is not the kind of man to play with the feelings of women, how much more, sisters. If he is involved with both sisters, then it means he is truly besotted.”
“I believe I have just said so. That is not all of it. Agnes too has a lover. He is a merchant, and they have been having a secret affair for years now. It is why she has refused to get married for this long. Now, her hands have been forced, and she has to marry Nicholas. Do you see? They are both in love with other people. If this marriage happens, they shall both be miserable. More than that, I am afraid one of them will commit a blunder and will get found out! Just the other day, I saw Nicholas climbing out of Eleanor’s windows. Imagine that! It is going to cause a terrible scandal if he ever attempts it and gets caught.”
Benjamin reeled back upon hearing that. His eyes bulged out of their sockets, and Isabelle stifled a laugh. No doubt he was in shock on hearing about his friend’s exploit. He seemed to recover quickly, though.
