Page 77 of The Beastly Duke's Christmas Bride
“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.”
“But we already did that,” she reminded him.
“Then we should survive just fine.”
With that, he whisked her away into a set of country dances that made her smile and laugh. Sebastian was light on his feet here just like he was in the ring. She noted his strong features and delicate grasp on her while they went through their paces, wondering if Thomas was right. Hoping he was wrong.
