Page 21 of The Duke’s Scandal (Bluestocking Book Club #5)

Chapter Fifteen

D ancing with the Duke was not a new experience, but for Isobella, every moment felt tinged with excitement – an excitement that she tried hard to push down.

She could not let herself feel anything for him, she reminded herself.

It was much too dangerous to do so. Trust was not something she would give easily, if at all, and even though the Duke appeared to be quite trustworthy and genuine, had she not thought that before of the others?

“You are a little tense, I think.”

Surprised, she looked up at the Duke, her breath hitching at just how close he was to her.

“You are not smiling either, which makes me fear you have too many things on your mind.”

“I confess that I am a little distracted.” Refusing to say as to why, she let him assume it was because of his present difficulties. “But I am enjoying our dance.”

The smile on his face brought glimmers of gold to his eyes, and that, in turn, sent a light shiver down Isobella’s spine. Heat infused her cheeks, praying silently that he had not felt it .

“As am I.”

Those three words made the warmth in Isobella’s face rush down to her core, the gentle way they were spoken whispering to her that there was more to it than a mere acknowledgement of the dance itself.

“I hope that the other dances have been just as enjoyable,” she said quickly, spinning away from him for a moment before returning.

“You have danced with all of my friends, I think.” Fully aware that she was saying such a thing to deflect attention from their own connection, she flushed hot all over again at the knowing smile on his face.

“I have been very pleased with each and every dance thus far, yes,” he acknowledged, taking her hand in his. “But this one, I think, is my favorite so far.”

Isobella did not know what to say to that. There was so much he was offering her in that statement, so much that she dared not move forward to claim for herself. Could she tell him about her decision to remain a spinster? Should she do so? Might that push him away from this gentle pursuit of her?

“Alas, now we must part.” With a light smile, the Duke released her and then stepped back, bowing as he did so. Isobella, curtsying quickly, was then offered his arm and, having no reason to refuse him, took it.

“Thank you for standing up with me,” the Duke said, as he brought her back to where her friends were waiting. “I do hope we will be able to dance together again soon.”

“As do I.”

The words came from her without even a momentary thought about whether or not she should say them.

It felt as if she was curling up slowly from the inside with mortification, her heart having betrayed her without her awareness.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the Duke’s head turn towards her, but could not bring herself to catch his eye.

Why had she been so foolish in speaking so?

“I did not realize you were to stand up with the Duke of Exeter, sister. I saw you dancing with Lord Preston, but I did not think you would take the arm of the Duke of Exeter!”

Isobella blinked quickly, a little surprised to see her brother emerging out of the crowd to come and stand in front of them both.

He was usually very good at permitting her to dance with whomever she wished – if she wished to dance at all – and whilst he stayed near, he did not ever intervene. “Granville, I did not think – ”

“I apologize if there is some difficulty here, Lord Granville.” The Duke dropped his arm so that Isobella was released from him, then inclined his head. “Forgive me, I should have been a little more considerate.”

Isobella looked into her brother’s face, seeing how he frowned as he studied the Duke’s face, his lips thin and flat.

Fear began to work its way into her heart, sending nervous tingles all the way down her arms. “Granville, there is nothing wrong, I assure you. I was glad to stand up with the Duke.”

“Even though he is a scoundrel of the highest order?” Lord Granville took a step closer to the Duke, his voice mercifully low. “I have heard what you did to Lady Clara. I cannot imagine why you would then think it appropriate to dance with my sister!”

“Except I did no such thing,” the Duke replied, calmly, looking straight into Lord Granville’s eyes.

“She mistook whoever it was for me. But I can understand your upset.” Giving Isobella a small smile – one that did not hide the dark shadows that had leapt into his eyes – he took a step back from them both.

“I shall take my leave of you now. Good evening.”

Isobella waited for only a moment before rounding on her brother, her upset increasing with every second. “How could you do such a thing?”

“How could you be so foolish?” her brother asked, just as Louisa came to join them both, her eyes darting between one and the other. “Do you not know what is being said of him?”

Isobella drew herself up, a cold anger taking hold of her.

“I did not think that you were someone who believed gossip, Granville.” She held his gaze without blinking, silently reminding him of all that had occurred in her past, of all the times that society had whispered about her even though she had done nothing to merit it.

“I am afraid your sister has a point, my love.” Louisa set a hand on her husband’s arm, but he did not look away from Isobella. “You have always trusted her judgment, have you not? Why should you change now?”

“Because I cannot bear to have you injured yet again!” Speaking in answer to his wife’s question, he spoke directly to Isobella. “You have already endured so much, Isobella. What if this Duke is yet another blight upon your life?”

Awash with a sudden gratitude, Isobella reached to take her brother’s hand. “You are concerned for me because of his reputation, yes?”

He nodded, his shoulders slumping just a little.

“But I do not believe the gossip,” Isobella told him, gently but firmly. “I will not accept it as the truth, not until I know for certain.”

“The rumors must have some basis in truth, however,” he stated, looking at her askance. “They have been speaking of his lack of fortune! ”

“Untrue.” Her head lifted. “What else?”

“He is a gambler, a gentleman who seeks out places of disrepute.”

Isobella shook her head. “You could speak to his sister and to his brother-in-law, Lord Galbraith. They would say that is false.”

Her brother twisted his lips. “What of the murmur that his estate is in a state of disrepair? That he will not permit anyone to come to call because it is so utterly dreadful.”

Having not heard of such a thing before, Isobella did not give them more than a single thought. “I am quite certain that is nothing more than a rumor, idle gossip seeking to bring him down.”

“Lady Clara has told us all,” he countered, still determined, evidently still unwilling to give up all of his concern at once. “She told us clearly that – ”

“Except I heard that she was not as sure as she first made out,” Louisa interrupted, wincing when her husband shot her a sharp look.

“She was in conversation recently and had to admit that she had not seen the gentleman’s face.

I believe she stated that she was still sure but could not be entirely certain that it was he. ”

Isobella watched her brother carefully, seeing him take in a long breath and then close his eyes as he exhaled.

“I do not want to be the one to take you away from this chance of happiness,” he said, slowly, opening his eyes to look at her. “But I am afraid for you, Isobella.”

She smiled at him softly. “There is nothing to be concerned about, I assure you. I am grateful for your concern; however, I trust that the Duke of Exeter has an excellent character.”

Her brother’s eyes widened at the corners as he took a step closer to her. “Do you mean to say that you have come to care for him?”

Isobella rebuffed this at once, her heart throwing itself into a furious rhythm. “No, not in the least! I would never permit myself to – ”

“I do not think that now is the time for such a discussion.” Louisa put a hand on her husband’s arm, throwing a smile at Isobella. “Besides which, I think there may be others vying for the Duke’s attention, and we should not begin to hope for anything that might not be.”

“I am not hoping at all,” Isobella said firmly, ignoring the cry of her heart. “I just refuse to accept what is said of someone, that is all.”

Lord Granville ducked his head, looking a little embarrassed. “I shall have to go to speak with the Duke now, will I not?”

“Yes, I think you shall.” With a chuckle, Louisa took Isobella’s arm and then turned away directly, leaving her husband to go in search of the Duke.

“Now, Isobella, I am not going to question you as regards the Duke himself, but I must warn you to be careful. I should not like to see you hurt again.”

Isobella’s heart thudded wildly. “I have no thoughts as regards the Duke, Louisa, truly.”

Her sister in law did not disagree with her but only smiled. “Be that as it may, just be aware that there are those in society who are… or who were hopeful of another match.”

“Might I ask with whom?” Isobella could not help her curiosity, a knot twisting in her stomach. “Is it someone I am acquainted with?”

“I do not know if you are acquainted with Lady Deborah,” Louisa told her, sending a sidelong glance in Isobella’s direction.

“Although I have heard she is a lady with a good many suitors – or gentlemen who would wish to be suitors, at least! There may be no connection between them any longer now, since there are these whispers about him.” Her lips twisted.

“When a young lady has good standing, beauty, and an outstanding dowry, is it any wonder that she has so many gentlemen pursuing her? She will not care if the Duke is no longer available, I am sure.”

The knot in Isobella’s stomach grew tighter. “I see.”

“But given that you are not in the least bit interested in the Duke, it should not concern you, should it?” Louisa smiled, but Isobella did not respond, fully aware that what she had said to her sister in law and what she truly felt were quite at odds with each other.

Instead, all she gave Louisa was a smile, saying nothing more, and soon Louisa changed the subject to something a good deal more banal.

All the while, however, Isobella’s thoughts lingered on the Duke of Exeter, wondering if there might be a connection between himself and Lady Deborah after all…

and thereafter, why her heart felt so terribly painful at even the thought of it all.