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And do I even want such a thing?

Sometimes, she would find herself thinking about the after care, those moments of softness and tenderness that she and Duncan shared once the sex was finished with. When he held her. When he made sure that he had not gone too far. When he checked on her well-being. Little was said in these moments how comfortable she felt during them spoke to a deeper connection that she was not quite willing to admit to.

It was a strange thing. A week ago, Isabella was happy to imagine that through sheer force of will, she might still have been able to end this marriage somehow. But now, if given the chance to, she wasn’t so sure that she would take it.

“It is a shame that you are both so happy, truth be told,” Louisa sighed and looked away.

Isabella frowned. “What does that mean?”

“Only that if you were not, I might have had something interesting to tell you.” She shrugged in a nonchalant manner. “But now, you will not care. Why would you?”

“Tell me what?” Isabella demanded hotly. “Louisa...”

Louisa spun about quickly, widened her eyes excitedly, and then shuffled in closer. “Oh, only because you insisted. But I heard a little rumor recently that the old Isabella would have jumped out of her skin to have learned.”

“Which is?”

“Only that the Duke of Hermon is returning to London next weekandthat he will likely be attending the Clementine Ball --”

“Get out!”

“I most certainly will not.”

“He will be here?” Isabella asked with a rush of excitement. “He is coming. You are certain?”

“I am. But again...” She shrugged and shook her head. “It should not matter to you. Not now that you are sohappy.” She eyed Isabella closely, looking for the response she must have known to expect.

And Isabella gave it to her.

A smile crossed her lips. Excitement shone in her eyes. A chance presented, one that she had been waiting for, finally here for the taking.

And Isabella wasn’t going to miss it. That had just never been her way.

The Duke of Hermon was a renowned scholar who, from what she had heard, was agreeable when it came to the tabooed subject of a woman’s role in the sciences and further education in general. Most men of his stature thought education to be a man’s business, and a woman would do better not to worry about such things as that.

The Duke was not of the same mind.

If rumor was for once true, he was even known to take young women under his wing and educate them personally where universities refused. Private tutoring lessons, learning expeditions, even books leant for reading and study!

All her life, Isabella had wanted more than what society gave her. Not marriage. Not love. Education. She wanted to learn, to prove that she was as smart as any man, and the Duke was one whom she had kept a close eye on for this reason. For years she had envisioned approaching him when the chance came and asking if he would take her on as one of his own students.

Or she had imagined it... still did... still wanted such a thing. Surely, married life should not make a difference? Why would it?

“Ah, so, now you’re wondering what your husband might say,” Louisa said quickly, noting the look in Isabella’s eyes.

“What?”

“I am sure that you can ask him,” she chuckled. “His Grace, I mean. As happy as you both are, why would he deny you the chance to further your education with the Duke of Hermon. Who is, I have heard, rather delicious to look at. Not that it matters.”

“I am sure he would not mind.” Isabella eyed her warningly.

“So, if you were to see the Duke of Hermon, you would approach and speak with him? Without worry what your husband might say.”

“Yes, I think I would.”

“And His Grace, he would not mind, I am sure.”

Isabella narrowed her eyes. “He would not mind as there would be nothing too mind. In fact, I hope that our paths do cross. It would be nice to speak of such things other than marriage. Which, it would seem, is all you care to discuss. Rather droll, if you ask me.”