Page 37 of The Duke's Scandal
“When will you speak with the Duke?” Miss Sherwood wanted to know. “Soon?”
“This evening, mayhap,” Isobella answered. “Lord Gallagher’s ball is this evening, and I have heard it is one of the most sought-after invitations of the Season.”
Lady Rosalyn laughed softly. “It most certainly is. I confess, I am very eager indeed to attend, for I have heard there will be all manner of entertainments as well as dancing!”
Isobella smiled but had to admit that the thought of such a thing was not particularly exciting for her. The only thing that brought a little anticipation to her heart was the thought of seeing the Duke again, and that, she hoped, would be very soon indeed.
“Might I say that you look quite enchanting this evening, Lady Isobella?”
“I thank you.” Isobella gave a smile to Lord Preston but inwardly wished that he would soon step away. The gentleman was nothing if not persistent, nearly dogging her since his arrival at the ball when he had discovered her standing at the side of the room, near to the other bluestockings. “I am sure that – ”
“Did you hear what Lord Welton did to the Duke of Exeter?” Lord Preston interrupted, speaking in much too loud a voice for Isobella’s liking. “The Duke was speakingmostdisagreeably about Lady Deborah, and Lord Welton called him out! When the Duke continued to insult her, Lord Welton had no choice but to defend her – and himself, I believe.”
Isobella narrowed her eyes, her jaw tight. “I beg your pardon?”
“It is all quite true!” Lord Preston exclaimed, looking back at her with slightly widened eyes. “I am sure you willnot stand up with him this evening, Lady Isobella. You will not – must not – even speak with him, for – ”
“I am astonished that you would believe such rumors, Lord Preston.” Interruptinghimthis time, Isobella took a step closer to the gentleman, who immediately began to frown. “Why would you say such things about the Duke of Exeter?”
“Because Lord Welton told me himself!” Lord Preston exclaimed, sounding entirely genuine, but his words struck hard at Isobella. “He is a gentleman who can be trusted, and there weremanyothers present who heard all that took place.”
Isobella lifted her chin. “Iwas one of those present, Lord Preston. It was not at all as you have described.”
The change that came over Lord Preston’s face was quite astonishing. He went from wide-eyed and hopeful to uncertain and confused. His eyebrows lowered, his mouth opened and then closed again, and his eyes darted from one side to the other.
“I heard every word Lord Welton said to the Duke,” she continued, speaking in a low voice so that only he could hear. “I can assure you, nothing like that was said. I shall bear testament to it if I have to. Now,” she finished, angry with his presence and with his determination to believe all he had been told by others, “if you will excuse me, Lord Preston, I wish to go and find the very gentleman you think that I should not be speaking to.” Stepping away, she battled with her upset and her frustration against all that Lord Preston had said of the Duke. This was the gentleman she cared for, the gentleman she was excited to see, the gentleman shewantedto be in company with. She felt almost indignant that Lord Preston would even dream of speaking about him in such a way!
Isobella stopped short, her eyes flaring, her breath catching in her chest. In her heart, in her mind, she had just admitted to herself that she cared for the Duke of Exeter, that her affections were very much engaged when it came to him. Did that mean she trusted him? That she waswillingto trust him?
“Lady Isobella?”
A familiar voice, a welcome voice, caught her attention, and closing her eyes, she let out a slow breath and then turned towards the Duke. “Your Grace.”
“Are you quite all right?”
The noise of the ballroom faded away as she looked up into his eyes, steadying herself there as her frustration and upset faded to nothing. “Yes, I am. I thank you.” Letting out her breath slowly, she looked up at him. “Areyouquite well?” Her gaze ran over his cheek and jaw, seeing the bruises there. “We have not spoken since Lord Welton injured you. I have been greatly concerned for you.”
The Duke, much to her surprise, dropped his head and rubbed the back of his neck. Was he ashamed? Embarrassed? Compassion grew swiftly, and she moved a little closer, doing her best to be surreptitious for fear of someone near them looking over, but at the same time, doing her best to express how she felt. Her hand reached out, then pulled back, only for her to force herself to do what she felt she needed to.
She took his hand.
Fire ripped up her arm towards her heart as his head lifted, his eyes rounding.
“What happened was not your fault,” she said, very quietly indeed. “In fact, I was hoping that you and I might speak on the matter? The bluestockings and I have had an idea about this entire situation.”
The Duke said nothing, his gaze travelling down to their joined hands, and Isobella, flushing hot, pulled her hand away.
“Lord Welton,” she continued, her voice catching a little, such was the plethora of emotions rushing through her. “What do you know of him?”
It took the Duke a few moments to respond, blinking quickly as if pulling himself out of a trace. “Lord Welton?” he repeated, before shrugging. “I know nothing about him. I was only just introduced to him some weeks ago.”
This made Isobella frown. “Then there is no connection between yourself and his family?”
“None.”
Flattening her lips, Isobella fought back at the frustration building in her again. She was the one who had come up with that thought, and now it felt like she was pushing herself back into the shadows.
“Although he is a cousin to Lady Victoria,” the Duke continued, as Isobella’s eyes flew open. “I told you that before, I am sure.”
