Jerome conceded the point. “Very true,” he said. “And may each of us find what we are looking for.”
He lifted his cup in a toast to that sentiment, and Douglas lifted his as well. As they both drank deeply, Isabel leaned in Douglas’ direction.
“And have you found what you are looking for here at Axminster?” she asked quietly.
He didn’t turn in her direction, but he smiled at her question. She knew he’d taken Mira away from the escort earlier that day. The woman wasn’t stupid. He was coming to respect Isabel for more than simply being a strong, independent woman with the weight of an earldom on her shoulders. Her respected her for asking an honest question.
He wasn’t going to lie to her.
“I suspect you know the answer,” he said quietly.
“I do,” she said. “But you told me yesterday that your public display was only for show.”
Douglas shrugged. “That was not a lie,” he said. “Itwasfor show at the time.”
“What has changed since then?”
He had to think on that. “I have,” he finally said. “My eyes are open now.”
Isabel chuckled. “I am surprised you would admit that,” she said. “But that is good to know. And I approve.”
He turned to look at her. “That means a great deal to me, my lady,” he said. “I may have to dominate you in another game of chess to celebrate.”
She hissed and sat back in her chair, eyeing him unhappily. “I challenge you to another game at the day and time of my choosing,” she said. “But not tonight. My head is swimming and an infant could best me.”
Douglas was still grinning. “Then that is the best time to play, because my head is swimming, too.”
Isabel laughed. She didn’t laugh often, and she had a pretty smile. Eric had moved over one chair next to her when Mira had vacated, so he was sitting next to her now, grinning because she was laughing. Douglas gestured to the two of them.
“Speaking of marriage,” he said quietly. “When can I expect to attendyournuptials?”
Eric’s smile faded and Isabel’s laughter abruptly stopped. “Where on earth did you get the idea that Eric and I will wed?” she said, almost angrily. “Who told you such things?”
Douglas gave her a long look. “I have eyes,” he said. “I believe Eric will make an excellent Earl of Axminster. He is well liked, he is bright, and he is experienced. Moreover, you have affection for the man, so it would be perfect for you both. You should consider it.”
The smiles on both of them were gone. Isabel was looking at Douglas, her eyes shining with a thousand words that she wouldlike to say on the subject, but she refrained. After a moment, she simply shook her head.
“This is not a subject to bring up in jest, Douglas,” she said softly.
Douglas could see that he’d hit a nerve. Eric was staring at the floor and Isabel’s good humor had been greatly subdued. He was usually more tactful than that, but he’d had enough wine that it had tipped his judgment a bit.
He backed down.
“My apologies,” he said. “I simply meant that I am sure my father would like you both as strong allies. And… feelings and affection do not happen every day. They are precious when they do. If I have overstepped, I did not mean to. It’s simply that I feel happiness is within my grasp these days, and I suppose I want everyone to be happy too. To take the chance before it passes by.”
Isabel nodded but looked away, perhaps with too much on her mind. Eric’s gaze came off the floor and he focused on Douglas.
“Mira is a good girl, as I said,” he said quietly. “She will make you a fine wife, Douglas. I could not be happier for you both.”
His comment seemed to bring Isabel around. “Let us speak about you and Mira, then,” she said, changing the subject away from her and Eric and back onto Douglas and his interest in Mira. “I said that I approve, and I do, but I am still greatly curious. What has changed since yesterday, Douglas?”
She wielded his name like a club when it suited her. Imperiously. Demandingly.Douglas!She did it with focus and foresight, but in this case, she was drunk and repeating questions, so he simply shook his head.
“As I said, my eyes are open,” he said. “Open to the possibilities, to a chance I should not pass up. To be perfectly truthful, I thought Lady Mira was quite beautiful when I firstmet her, but nothing beyond that. Then I came to know a delightful young woman and… Well, when things happened, they happened quickly.”
“And now you really do wish to marry her?”
“Do you think her mother would give permission?”
