Page 14 of The Duke's Scandal
Isobella smiled ruefully. “I suppose that is true. Lord Pollock came next, and he was quite determined to pursue me.” Her head lowered, her gaze on the flooras shame began to climb up through her. “I thought him quite wonderful, truth be told. He was devoted, it seemed.”
“But he did not prove himself to be as you expected?”
With a nod, Isobella glanced at her friend, feeling fire in her cheeks. “He eloped. Most unexpectedly.”
With a gasp, Lady Amelia stared back at Isobella, her hand going to her arm. “You mean to say you had no knowledge of another attachment?”
She shook her head.
“That is utterly disgraceful,” Lady Amelia declared, tossing her head. “How dare he do such a thing? What a dreadful gentleman!”
With a smile at her friend’s solidarity, Isobella took in another breath and then continued. This was the most painful part. “I was determined to be more careful during my second Season,” she said, looking away, surprised that there were tears burning in her eyes. “I thought that Lord Hogarth was truly in love with me. He was different from Lord Brookmire and Lord Pollock. There was a genuineness to all his words, his determination to be by my side so sincere, I could not help but believe him. I – I do not like to admit this, but I did fall in love with him.” She wiped at her eyes. “There came a time when I recognized that I felt more for him than I had felt for any other. My feelings were not overly severe, I admit, but they were certainly present.”
“And then he broke your heart completely and utterly,” Lady Amelia said quietly. “Is that not so?”
With a deep breath, one that seemed to pull her very heart a little further up into her chest, Isobella nodded. “Yes, he did.” A single tear fell to her cheek, but she dashed it away. “He told me that he did not care for me any longer. I could not understand him, could not comprehend why he would say such a thing, only to discover that he had notbeen as devoted to me as he had promised.” Her eyes closed tightly, the urge to keep this last part from her friend very strong indeed. She spoke it all the same. Itneededto be said. “My brother found a bet in Whites betting book that involved Lord Hogarth and a particular widow. The bet had been fulfilled.”
“Oh, Isobella.” Lady Amelia embraced her at once, her sympathy and compassion comforting Isobella a little. “I cannot imagine the pain that you have endured.”
“It was very difficult,” Isobella admitted, her voice wobbling as she tried to regain her composure. “I did not know what to do nor what to say when he first told me that the engagement was broken. Thetonknew of it all very soon thereafter, of course, and whilst they spoke ill of him, as they ought, there were still remarks made about me.”
“Something there should not have been,” Lady Amelia said, a heavy line drawing between her eyebrows. “You do not trust any gentlemen now, then?”
Isobella nodded. “Precisely.”
“And so you have determined to be alone? You will become a spinster?”
Relieved that her friend understood, Isobella spread out her hands. “My mother, brother, and sister in law are all determined that Ishallfind someone this Season, although they do not push me with any force into it for which I am grateful.”
Lady Amelia tilted her head, watching Isobella carefully. “But you have determined to remain alone.”
“Yes.”
“And what if,” Lady Amelia asked, still frowning, “a suitable gentleman does begin to pursue you? What then?”
Isobella’s lips quirked. “I hardly think that will happen. I am a little older than you all and, besides that, I am abluestocking. It is not as if gentlemen in London will be pursuing ladies such as myself!”
“And why should they not?” Lady Amelia exclaimed, her voice suddenly louder than before. “You think too low of yourself, Isobella.”
Caught off guard by her friend’s vehemence, Isobella blinked and pressed her lips together, feeling the urge to defend her position and yet, at the same time, understanding her friend’s sharp remarks.
“Has there not been whispers about you these last few days, ever since that Duke stood up with you – andonlyyou at the ball?”
“That means nothing,” Isobella said, quickly. “Come now, you must see that his request was only because of the apology he had made and his desire to make certain all was well between us.”
Lady Amelia arched her eyebrow. “And what if it was not? What if there was more to his desire to dance with you than you were aware?”
“No.” Isobella shook her head fervently, fear tightening her core. Fear that if she let herself eventhinksuch a way, it would do nothing but cause her yet more agony. “No, Amelia, I do not believe that for a moment. Even if it were a possibility, I would not think to consider it, for I cannot let my heart free again.” She took another deep breath and then pushed back her shoulders. “It is certainlynota possibility, however. I am quite sure that the Duke of Exeter will never again seek me out to dance.”
“Lady Isobella?”
The moment she finished saying those words, a voice broke into their conversation and, turning, Isobella snatched in a breath of surprise.
“Itisyou,” the Duke said, his warm smile spreadingacross his face. “How good to see you again.” Seeing Lady Amelia, he inclined his head towards her. “Might you introduce me to your companion?”
Ignoring the knowing smile on Lady Amelia’s face, Isobella quickly made the introductions, desperately hoping that the Duke had not heard her speaking of him. “Of course. Lady Amelia, this is the Duke of Exeter.” She waited as Lady Amelia dipped into a curtsy. “Your Grace, might I present my dear friend, Lady Amelia.”
“I am very glad to make your acquaintance,” he said, bowing again. “I have come in the hope that you might both offer me your dance cards? I have determined to dance again this evening, you see.”
