Page 4 of The Duke's Scandal
The other bluestockings laughed, but Isobella’s heart twisted painfully. She closed her eyes and drew in long breaths in an attempt to keep her composure. This was most unexpected, for she had never once imagined her heart responding in such a way! She ought to be quite contented at her friend's happiness, just as she had told Lady Amelia! So why now was she feeling such agony?
“Here is the tea tray,” she heard Lady Amelia say, opening her eyes and forcing herself to smile as she turned around. “Come now, let us all enjoy some tea, shall we?”
Isobella went with the others to sit down, taking a cup of tea from Lady Amelia and smiling along with all that was said and shared between them. Trying to push away the lingering stabs of pain, she forced herself to listen to the conversation, to hear what was being said without responding to any of it. And yet, no matter how hard she tried, her heart cried out with all that she had endured already… and for all the loneliness that was surely still to come.
Chapter Two
“Ihave decided to go to London.”
This proclamation made, Amos grinned at his mother as she gaped at him, fully aware that this was something she had been hoping to hear him say for some years now. He had taken on the mantle of Dukedom four years ago, and almost the very day his father had passed away, his mother had spoken about his need for a wife.
“You will, no doubt, try to keep me from stepping into the midst of society, but I must tell you, Mother, that I am quite determined!” Chuckling to himself at the scowl that drew into his mother’s face at this remark, Amos could not help but continue his teasing. “I am certain you will warn me about all the dangers that lie there, about the many young lady that will try to drag my attentions towards them, about the gentlemen who will seek to befriend me solely because of my wealth and standing but, alas, I fear there is no other way for me to find myself a suitable bride unless I make my way there.”
“Oh, Amos, do be quiet.”
Amos turned, seeing his sister standing by the door ofthe drawing room. He had not heard her come in. “Good afternoon, Flora.” He tipped his head. “You have enjoyed a walk with your husband this fine afternoon, I hear.”
“I have indeed,” she said, a smile darting across her lips. “And now I return to hear you teasing our mother mercilessly!”
Amos chuckled as his sister squeezed his arm gently and then went to sit beside their mother, who, much to his relief, was smiling good-naturedly.
“Your brother has always been inclined to such nonsense, has he not?” the Duchess asked, as Flora nodded fervently. “For years, I have nearbeggedhim to go to London to secure his future, but he has always ignored me!”
“And now, when he says hewillgo, he pretends that you are to warn him from going and seeks instead to pull you back!” Flora added, sounding exasperated whilst, at the very same time, sending him a wink. “How very irritating he is.”
“I am able to hear all you are saying of me,” Amos interrupted, laughing at the way his mother rolled her eyes. “I apologize for teasing you so, Mother. I know very well that you are very eager indeed for me to make my way into society.”
The Duchess smiled back at him, her eyes twinkling. “Indeed I have, for how else are you to find a suitable wife? You must continue on the family line, for you are the Duke of Exeter – and the Duke of Exeter requires an heir!”
“I do have two excellent brothers, however,” Amos stated, coming to sit down instead of retreating from the room to leave his mother and sister to talk. “If I cannot find a good wife, then I am certain that they would be very well able to step into the role.”
This response brought him nothing but a few minutesof silence. Amos did his best to keep his expression steady, looking back at his mother with nonchalance while, at the very same time, battling the laughter beginning to burrow into his heart. He knew as well as she did that his two younger brothers – twins, in fact – were quite dreadful when it came to matters of responsibility. They were both still at Eton, being younger than both himself and Flora by some years.”
“You are being quite ridiculous now, Amos.” The use of his Christian name told Amos that his mother was wearing of his nonsense. “Now, tell me when it is you intend to go to London. This Season, I presume?”
“Within a sennight, I think,” Amos told her, choosing now to be quite sensible. “Or mayhap a fortnight, depending on how long it will take for the preparations. Will you wish to come with me?”
His mother’s eyebrows lifted. “To London? Oh no, I do not think so.”
“No?” This surprised Amos a little. “I thought you might wish to come to London yourself, to return to society and see some of your friends and acquaintances, some of whom you have not seen for a long time.”
This made the Duchess shake her head fervently. “I most certainly do not. I am quite contented here at the estate – and I do not want Flora and Galbraith to return to Scotland early, simply because you have determined to leave here and go to London!”
Amos considered this, then nodded. “I understand.” His sister and her husband, the Marquess of Galbraith, had come to visit from Scotland and intended to stay for some months. Thus far, they had been with them for a little over two months, but Amos considered, mayhap he was being a little inconsiderate in departing from the estate to London. “Mayhap I should stay, however. I had not thought about your presence, Flora. I should not want you or your husband to be disappointed at my absence.”
“No, no!” Both his mother and sister spoke at once, their eyes wide.
“No, please do not alter your plans for my sake!” his sister continued. “Mother and I will be very contented here at the estate, and you know very well that Galbraith so much enjoys riding and shooting that he will be more than contented until you return. Besides,” she continued, a flick of her lips sending a gleam into her eyes, “is it not good that we are here at the very time that you are thinking of finding a bride? It means that we will be present for your wedding day!”
Amos snorted. “You are being a little presumptuous, are you not? I may not find someone suitable this Season. I may have to wait until next Season.” The door opened behind him, and he glanced over his shoulder, smiling at his brother-in-law, who immediately came across the room to kiss his wife. “Or mayhap the Season thereafter!”
Flora rolled her eyes at him, then sighed heavily as her husband sat down in the seat beside her. “Must you be so very exasperating? You are a Duke, with a vast fortune and a good deal of land and property. I am certain you will be able to find someone within a week, if you so wish!”
This did not make Amos smile. Instead, it brought a slight weight to his heart, making his brows knot together. “I – I do not think that I would consider a young lady who might only think of my property and fortune.”
“That is not what I meant,” Flora replied, with a wave of her hand and a look of exasperation. “Come now,dobe sensible, brother.”
“I think he must be considerate all the same.” LordGalbraith pursed his lips, then shrugged even when his wife shot him a sharp look. “You know as well as I, my dear, that I had to prove myself to your brotherandto you. I had to show you that I did not care about your standing or your fortune and dowry. I had to prove my heart to you, did I not?” He gestured to Amos but kept looking at Flora. “That will be the same – even more so – for Exeter here. There will be many young ladies desperate for his attention, for they will think only of their potential standing as Duchess!”
