Page 11 of The Duke's Scandal
Isobella rubbed at the small of her back. “I am quite all right,” she promised. “Your book, however, is not.”
The gentleman turned quickly. With a muttered few words, he went to pick it up and then returned to her, his earnest face filled with apologies yet unspoken.
“I well understand being lost in a book’s contents,” Isobella said quickly, hoping that he would not linger inconversation, especially when she was here with only her maid. “Please, do not concern yourself.”
With a nod, the gentleman took a step back. “I still must heartily apologize,” he said, with a small bow. “This is not how I should have liked to introduce myself! The Earl of Preston, ready now to make a full and fervent apology.”
Managing to smile, her heart beginning to quieten its thunderous beating, Isobella bobbed a quick curtsy. “Lady Isobella,” she said, thinking to herself that this was now the second gentleman she had introduced herself to in what was a less than proper manner. “Please, there is no need for anything further. Might I enquire as to what book garnered your fervent attention?”
Lord Preston smiled, his blue eyes warm, his face a little flushed from the embarrassment of what he had done. “It is a study on birds,” he said, looking away from her. “Not something that many a person will enjoy, I am sure, but I find it quite fascinating.”
It was not a subject that instantly grabbed Isobella’s attention but all the same, she foundhisinterest delightful. “I was thinking to myself that I should very much like to learn a little more about some of the animals that have been discovered on the continent,” she told him, catching the way her maid came to stand a little closer, albeit with her head lowered and hands clasped in front of her. “I do not know much about birds at all, however.”
This sent light spiraling into Lord Preston’s eyes. “I should be very glad to speak with you on the subject if you would like?” he asked, making Isobella’s lips curve. “I confess, I do speak a little too much at times; however, so you shall have to tell me to be quiet if I go on for far too long.”
Considering this quickly, Isobella let her smile grow. “That would be most enjoyable, Lord Preston. Thank you.”
“Then I shall arrange to come to call some afternoon, mayhap?” He sounded hopeful, and Isobella nodded. “Wonderful. I shall take my leave now, though I should very much like to begin our conversation now.” Glancing about him and, no doubt, seeing the other patrons in the shop, he sighed and shook his head. “Best not to do so, I think, else we shall be standing here for the rest of the afternoon!” He inclined his head. “Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon, Lord Preston,” Isobella answered, watching him as he walked away, a little surprised at how happy the conversation had made her. Lord Preston had been an unexpected arrival to her time here in the bookshop, but after their conversation, certainly not an unwelcome one!
But I have no intention of letting my heart follow after him.
That made a frown pull at her forehead, realizing just how easily she might find herself interested in a gentleman’s attentions. Had she not learned from her previous mistakes? Had she not been shown just how little she could trust what a gentleman said? First, Lord Brookmire had hoped to court her, only to then step away when she had not been as eager in her attentions as he. Secondly, Lord Pollock had pursued her with such a great and fervent intent, she had believed him wholeheartedly in love with her – until he had disappeared from society one day. She had been distraught, wondering what had happened to him, only to hear that he had eloped with a young lady. Lastly, Lord Hogarth had broken her heart entirely, for she had begun to fall in love with him. His words of love and affection had been nothing but lies, his promises of devotion and adoration crumblingto nothing. Recovering from such a dark situation had been a hard path to walk, but she had done so. With that, however, had come the determination that she would never again let herself be hurt in such a way again – and that meant never permitting herself to have even the smallest interest in a gentleman.
“And I shall not,” she stated aloud, her maid looking up in surprise. “I will never again let myself fall in love again.”
Chapter Six
Amos put his hands behind his back and tried to smile. “Why yes, I did only dance once at the ball,” he said, seeing Lady Deborah frown. “But there was a good reason for that.”
“Oh?” Lady Clara lifted one eyebrow, her lips pursed and what looked like a glint of anger in her eyes. “Why would you stand up with abluestockingand not with the likes of us?”
A little taken aback by the lady’s irritation, Amos wondered if he ought to frown and remind the lady that she had no right to question him as she was doing, only to set that idea aside. It would only cause her a little more upset, he considered, if he were to do such a thing. “It was by way of apology,” he explained, choosing not to say anything more on the subject. “But I have promised you all that I shall dance this evening, have I not?”
This made Lady Clara scowl instead of smile, as Amos had hoped. “You will have an excuse again, I fear.”
“Clara!” Lady Deborah turned to her friend, putting ahand on her arm. “We must trust the Duke’s word. If he had good reason to stand up with Lady Isobella, then we must accept it…andlook forward to the dance this evening.” Her light smile was quickly directed back towards him. “I am sure that the Duke will do as he has said.”
“I most certainly shall,” Amos determined, although inwardly frustrated that he was going to have to dance with Lady Clara and, no doubt, Miss Shelton when she discovered that he was to dance.
“I hope you do not mind if I join this conversation?”
Amos glanced to his right as a gentleman he was not yet acquainted with came to join them. He was a heavy-set fellow, with eyebrows sitting low over his eyes with his jaw jutting forward. This gave him the appearance of being most displeased with something although Amos considered that might well just be his own perception.
“Lord Welton, of course.” It was Lady Clara who spoke first, putting a smile on her face and then gesturing to Amos. “Might I introduce you to the Duke of Exeter? Your Grace, this is the Earl of Welton.”
Amos bowed. “Glad to make your acquaintance.”
The gentleman returned the bow but said nothing, no smile on his face.
“What was it you were all discussing?” he asked, turning his attention now to Lady Deborah. “Something of importance, no doubt!”
Lady Clara laughed at this, making Amos squirm inwardly. “Oh, not at all. We were only asking the Duke of Exeter why he stood up with a young lady at the ball when he had told both meandLady Deborah that he was not to dance at all! He has promised to dance with us at the ball this evening; however, we have decided to forgive him.”
Lord Welton snorted. “Not of importance in the least,then!” He threw a look towards Amos. “Yes, I did hear about some Duke or other dancing with a bluestocking. A most extraordinary choice of partner, Your Grace, especially when you have such ladies as Lady Deborah and Lady Clara beside you!”
Disliking this particular remark, Amos let the edge of his lip curl but said nothing more, not at all interested in hearing anything further about Lady Isobella.
