Page 13 of Lady Isla and the Lord of Rogue (Merry Spinsters, Charming Rogues #6)

Chapter Seven

That night, Isla fell into bed, exhausted.

Meggie had let her in through the servant’s door, and she’d slipped up into her room without running into any of Algie’s servants.

She’d tiptoed past the half-open door of Algie’s study, where he was sitting by his desk, perusing some documents.

Running a tired hand over her forehead, Isla wondered whether tonight’s escapade had truly been worth the bother.

True, she had met Lucian Night. Or at least a man who claimed to be him.

He’d made her a very scandalous proposal. But then, that had been his intention: to scandalise her to the point of crying off.

Isla furrowed her brows. Why?

Would he be truly able to help her?

And now that she’d agreed to his conditions, what would happen next? He’d said that she had to wait for further instructions.

Isla was not good at waiting.

Her thoughts wandered to Teddy, and she felt a pang of guilt. She felt she was deceiving him and taking advantage of his good nature. Had she possibly endangered him? Night had sounded threatening towards him.

Isla tossed and turned as she considered telling him the truth.

But no. She couldn’t possibly tell him of this pact; it was simply too outrageous, too scandalous, too shocking.

Teddy had been very lenient with her; but something told her that this would push it too far.

If Teddy ever knew of her agreement with that man, it would jolt even him out of his complacent obliviousness and chances were good he would object most severely. As for Algie…

She sat up straight in her bed.

Algie could never find out what she was up to.

It would be a disaster if he did.

Several days passed, and there was no sign of Lucian Night or one of his minions. Isla was secretly relieved. Maybe nothing would come of it, after all. It had been a folly to believe that it would.

She spent her days with Teddy, visiting houses in Mayfair.

He had taken the reins in his hands, often quite literally, as they took his curricle to drive about Mayfair to visit all the houses he had on his list.

To Isla’s great surprise, she enjoyed herself .

And to her even greater surprise, they seemed to share a similar taste in housing.

“I don’t know,” Teddy said, shaking his head, as they stood in front of a tall, morose looking town house. The windows faced north, and there seemed to be precious little light reaching the rooms inside.

Isla tilted her head sideways. “It looks somewhat like…”

“A top hat,” they said simultaneously. They looked at each other.

“Tall and narrow and black. It’s the black brick.” Teddy pursed his lips. “I don’t think we need to visit the rooms inside, do we?”

Isla shook her head. “Shall we pause for some refreshment? We’ve visited enough houses this morning.”

Teddy agreed. He took her to Gunter’s.

“My life’s philosophy is that there can’t be enough sugar in one’s sweetmeats.

” Isla studied the menu card and sighed.

“If only I could make up my mind! How excessively difficult it is to make a decision. Should I try the Parmesan again, or Gruyère? Or opt for something fruitier, like the barberry one?”

“Maybe we don’t have to make a decision,” Teddy said. “We could just try them all.”

To Isla’s laughing protest, Teddy ordered the waiter to bring a sample of each of the flavours that were on offer. Their table was laden with small bowls filled with different flavours, including chocolate, peppermint, violet, rose, bergamot and even orgeat.

Isla was utterly transported.

They argued playfully over which was the best flavour. Teddy tended to prefer the salty, spicier ones, and Isla the sweet, flowery ones. Both agreed that the Gruyère was too strong, however, and the rose one too sweet.

Teddy set his spoon aside, claiming he’d had enough ices to last the entire Season.

“I would like to show you my estate,” Teddy said after the waiter had cleared the table. “It’s in Yorkshire, by the coast. The mansion is set on top of a hill with a view over the sea. I called it Roseview Mansion. I think you’ll like it.”

“I can’t wait to see it,” Isla said softly.

Teddy pulled out a small velvet pouch and, after a moment’s hesitation, pushed it across the table. “This is for you. I have been carrying it with me for quite a while already.”

“What is it?” Isla took the blue velvet pouch in her hand and opened it curiously. She took out a small, round, golden pocket watch. It lay warm in her hand. The cover was engraved with a pretty paisley pattern. It was a blue enamel watch with inlaid pearls and diamonds.

It came with a beautiful golden cord.

“You can attach it to your waist, or wear it around your neck,” Teddy said gruffly. “And it is the most accurate pocket watch in this entire kingdom. I personally made sure of that. I commissioned the case, but made the inner clockwork myself.”

Isla gasped. “You did? How extraordinary,” she said as she turned it in her palm. She flipped the lid open and marvelled at the delicate dials that indicated the hours. How on earth had he done it?

“I designed it myself. Do you like it?” He looked at her anxiously, as if her answer mattered greatly.

“It is the prettiest thing I have ever seen.” She smiled. “And now I have no excuse to ever be late again.”

His face broke into a relieved smile. “It is my engagement present to you.” He looked at her shyly. “I know it should have been a ring. I shall buy a ring, too. But I thought a watch was more…practical.”

“It definitely is,” Isla said cheerfully.

“And I don’t need a ring. It will forever get in the way.

I like to take off rings and misplace them, and then I lose them.

No, I prefer this. How thoughtful of you!

Thank you so much.” She beamed at him. “I shall have to think of something to give to you in return.”

He waved it away. “You need not give me anything except your time and presence. That gives me the ultimate happiness.” His gaze was warm, and a brown lock of hair fell over his forehead, making him look boyish.

Isla blushed and searched for words. Why did she suddenly feel so tongue-tied? This was Teddy, for heaven’s sake.

Teddy, who suddenly made her blush.

“We are going to the opera tonight, are we not?” To her relief, he changed the topic.

“Yes. Something by Rossini.” Isla rose. “I shall wear this watch tonight and time the length of the opera.”

Teddy grinned at her, and her heart skipped a beat.