Page 17 of The Duke's Scandal
It was as if the room had filled with light, pushing away his frustration and upset over Lady Deborah’s behavior. It was as if it confirmed to him that yes, Lady Isobellawasthe one he ought to be considering. Taking a sip from his glass, he let out a small, contented sigh. “That is good news.”
“You have my blessing,” Lord Gainsworth told him, in a fatherly manner, laughter burning in his eyes at the roll ofhis eyes that Amos sent him. “Let us hope she will consider you else you will be quite without hope!”
Amos laughed ruefully. “That would be quite disconcerting, certainly.” He took in a breath, setting his shoulders back. “Let us hope it does not come to that.”
“Lady Isobella! Lady Rosalyn. Is this not a pleasant afternoon?” The smile that spread across Amos’ was genuine, thrilled to see both the ladies in question.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace.” Lady Rosalyn bobbed a curtsy, as did Lady Isobella. “Yes, it is a very pleasant day. The sun is not too hot and whilst there are clouds, I do not think it will rain.” She exchanged a smile with her friend. “That downpour last week was quite extraordinary!”
“I was caught in it, unfortunately,” he told them, though neither of them looked at all horrified but did their best to hide their smiles. “I was quite drenched!” He laughed and shook his head at the memory. “Lord Galbraith – my brother-in-law – found it quite mirthful. I am sure I looked quite ridiculous!”
This made both the ladies giggle, and Amos smiled back at them, looking into Lady Isobella’s eyes and thinking to himself just how much they lightened whenever she smiled. With her copper curls and hazel eyes, she had a beauty all of her own, and Amos could not help but be drawn to her.
“I must also make certain to apologize to you for the first time we met in this park, Lady Rosalyn,” he continued, before anything more could be said. “I know that I have apologized to Lady Isobella and did ask her to pass it on to you also, but I think it right that I tell you in person just how sorry I am for not only jumping to conclusions but also speaking to you in the manner I did.”
Lady Rosalyn smiled at him. “There is no need for further apology, Your Grace,” she assured him. “I thank you for it, however.”
He nodded, then glanced at Lady Isobella. After the conversation with Lord Galbraith last evening, he found himself all the more certain that this was the lady he wanted to begin to pursue. “Might I walk with you for a time?”
“I must excuse myself.” Lady Rosalyn gave no reason for this and clearly did not notice Lady Isobella’s instantly flared eyes, giving him a nod of her head. “Lady Isobella’s sister in law, Lady Granville, is just over there.” She directed him to where two ladies sat on a bench near them, deep in conversation. “So long as you are not too far from her, I am sure all will be well. I will tell Lady Granville that you are walking with Lady Isobella, so they know where she is gone.”
“I thank you.” Sensing that the lady had a purpose in her absence, Amos gave her a broad smile, silently thanking her for her absence. “Lady Isobella, should you like to follow this path? I can see that it leads around the park in a small circle, and we will not go out of sight of Lady Granville.”
Lady Isobella nodded but did not smile, casting a look over her shoulder towards Lady Rosalyn before taking his offered arm.
“If you do not wish to, then I would be glad to return you to Lady Granville’s company.” Not wanting her to feel in any way obliged, Amos waited for her to look up at him, relieved when a smile crossed her face.
“I should be glad to walk with you,” she said quietly. “I am only surprised that Lady Rosalyn had to step away, but mayhap she has seen another acquaintance.”
Or mayhap she wishes for us to walk together,Amosthought silently, his lips curving. “Tell me, Lady Isobella, what is it like to be a bluestocking?”
She stopped short, pulling him back as he looked down at her, wondering at her surprise. When she said nothing, a flush touched his cheeks.
“Did I say something to upset you?”
“No, not at all.” Blinking quickly, she shook her head as if to clear her thoughts. “No one has ever asked me such a direct question before.”
He swallowed. “I hope I am not too forward in my questions.”
Her smile returned. “Not in the least. If you are genuinely interested, then I would be glad to share with you.”
With relief pouring into him and a gentle pleasure in his heart when she took his arm again, Amos nodded. “Please. I should very much like to know.”
“It is difficult.” Her eyes lifted to his, but then returned to the path as they walked slowly along it. “I have such a love of reading and of learning, my desire to further what I know near insatiable at times… but to know that society, on the whole, despises ladies such as myself makes it very trying indeed.”
“I can imagine there must be a trial in that,” he murmured, looking at her. “Society has many difficult opinions, does it not?”
Her lips lifted, but there was a sadness there. “Indeed.” She took a breath and then smiled. “I have been blessed with good friends, however. Friends who are very much like me.”
“Oh?”
She looked up at him, her eyes shining. “We havemanaged to use our intelligence to solve a few mysteries this Season. That has been a blessing.”
A little surprised, Amos returned her smile, thinking all the more highly of her. Using her intelligence and wit to help others was remarkable indeed. “And have you always been interested in reading and the like?”
Interest sparked in her eyes. “No, not always. I only began to read a few years ago, when… well, when I returned from the London Season. My mother resides in the house still, along with my brother and his wife. During the winter, I began to read and that, I suppose, built a love for learning within my heart. I read so very much, my mother would often berate me for having a book at the dining table!” Red infused her cheeks. “I should not want you to think me improper but – ”
Amos laughed quietly, making her smile. “It isveryimproper, Lady Isobella, but I can well understand it. My own sister would sometimes take the novel she was reading to the dining room when she was breaking her fast. My father would be quite irritated whenever she did such a thing, but it did not stop her!”
