They came from two separate worlds.
There would be no great love story here. Only this—a memory of two dancers hidden away within the hedges, wishing they had more time.
A dreamer and a deep space warrior.
The song ended, but he didn’t let her go.
And she didn’t ask him to.
Chapter 22
Isobel
Henry was holding the day’s paper in a tight grip. Lord Richard was looking over his shoulder, his brow creased. The atmosphere in the morning room was so full of friction that Isobel considered returning to her room.
“Good morning,” she greeted instead. “Is something amiss?”
Without looking up from the paper, Henry said, “Who were you in the hedge maze with last night?”
“Excuse me?” Isobel halted on her way to her usual seat. Panic washed over her, causing flashes of light to spark in her vision.
Lord Richard pinned her with a piercing stare. “The gossip column claims they had an anonymous tip about you meeting with someone in the hedges.” There was an edge to his voice that made her uncomfortable, but for once, she couldn’t find what hidden emotion sat there.
She forced herself to move forward again before collapsing unceremoniously into her armchair. Had someone seen him? Seenthem? She brought her fingers to her lips. Ved had assured her no one would beable to get close unnoticed. But… “I don’t understand,” she managed to choke out.
“Did you leave the hall after I retired to the smoking room?” Lord Richard inquired. “Were you with anyone alone, even for a moment, in the maze?”
There was no point in lying about leaving the dance. Any number of people could have seen her step into the hedge maze. “Yes, I went in the hedges, but there was no one else there, I swear it. I left in favor of some fresh air as the place was a bit stifling.” Isobel didn’t mention the fact that it had been because he’d moved their wedding without informing her.
She looked between the two men. The tension was so thick she was afraid it was going to choke them all. They had to believe her—their reputation relied on it.
Finally, Lord Richard nodded severely and looked to Henry, his lips forming a tight line. “I think I know what this is about.”
“You do?” she said as evenly as possible.
He clapped Henry on the shoulder. “Some people have nothing better to do than try to ruin me.”
Of course he would make it about him.
“This isn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last, I fear,” he continued. “I’ll see to it. Until then, I advise we act as if this is exactly what it is—a misunderstanding at the very least and, at the worst, an unsuccessful attempt at stirring up scandal. They admitted themselves they didn’t see who she was speaking to, which also meant they didn’t seeher.Those hedges are taller than any man, and they were on the outside of them. Most likely, they saw Isobel walk into the maze and decided to spin a tale.”
Henry’s expression was grim. “It’s Clara’s debut Season. No one will want anything to do with her if this takes hold,” he said, thumping the papers.
“I’ll handle it,” Lord Richard assured him again, then excused himself.
Her husband-to-be’s idea ofhandling itwas to enlist his mother and father and some of their elitist friends. He explained the plan to Isobel like she was slow to catch on. “It’s to show a united front. My parents wouldn’t approve of you if they thought you were out in the hedge mazes acting improper.”
She wanted to remind him that the Duke and Duchessdidn’tapprove of her, but she refrained.
He continued. “Besides, I know that no gentleman would follow you. It was late and wouldn’t have been worth the trouble.”
She could feel the insinuation in his words—shewasn’t worth the trouble.
“It’s rather fortunate as well,” he said, “that I applied for the special license far before this little snippet in the papers was released. That way, no one can think it was because of this poorly executed rumor. When I wed you anyway, it’ll save you and your family from scandal.” He smiled like a cat who had just caught the rat.
“Oh? Special license?” Isobel’s voice rose as she pretended she knew nothingabout it.
He cleared his throat but hardly looked ashamed. “Yes, did I not mention it to you?”
