“Yes, well… circumstances change,” Isadora shrugged. Theyhadfor her, quite drastically.
A thought flickered across Penelope’s face, and she leaned forward.
“Is everything all right with you, Isadora?” she asked, finally. “You have not uttered more than a few words since your arrival. I thought that coming out to the park would brighten your mood, but here you are, as moody as ever.”
Isadora raised an eyebrow. “I am in a great mood.”
At that, the three ladies exchanged a laugh.
“Really, Isadora?” Violet asked. “I did not want to be the one to bring it up, but Penelope is right. You have been sulking since I got here.”
“I believe the three of you are reading too much into things,” Isadora said, firmly. “I am simply visiting my family. Perhaps I am a bit tired from the journey. That is all.”
Penelope and Daphne exchanged a glance but did not press her further.
“Visiting your family,” Violet repeated. “Hmm.”
Daphne leaned forward slightly. “And does the Duke approve of this extended visit?”
Isadora kept her gaze trained to the ground, feeling a lump form in her throat at the mention of her husband. “I do not see why he would object. I am, after all, a married woman. I may come and go as I please.”
A pointed silence followed. Isadora knew that was not a satisfactory answer. Violet and Daphne were not fools.
“I understand that, but you have never come to stay like this on such short notice before,” Penelope said. “And youhavebeen acting rather strangely…”
“Must there always be some grand meaning behind my actions?” Isadora snapped at her.
“Not necessarily. But it is rather peculiar that you came without much explanation,” Daphne replied.
“And that you have not spoken of him,” Violet added, “Not once, might I add.”
Isadora’s fingers tightened around the folds of her dress, and her heart began to beat faster. She was not ready yet to be confronted about him when she knew so little about what their future was to hold.
“That is not true. I have spoken of him,” she countered, trying to keep her voice even. “Just now in fact.”
“That was not speaking of him,” Daphne said flatly, raising her eyebrow. “That was avoiding speaking of him.”
“There is nothing to speak of,” she said. “He is busy, as always, tending to matters of the estate, and I thought a visit to my family would be a pleasant change of pace.”
“You have always been a dreadful liar, Isadora.” Penelope narrowed her eyes slightly, watching her sister with suspicion.
“Oh, she truly has. I cannot count how many times she tried to feign illness to avoid a ball, only to be found reading in the gardens,” Daphne chuckled to lighten the mood.
“And she isequallyterrible at pretending now,” Violet nodded. “We can see right through her.”
Did nothing escape these three?Her friends had always been too perceptive for their own good. And Penelope even more so.
“You are all being dramatic,” she said with a sigh, “I am merely enjoying time with my family. And if you all wish to fill the air with baseless speculation, I shall take my leave and find someone who will actually engage in pleasant conversation.”
She made a deliberate move to walk away, but before she could, Penelope pulled her back.
“Isadora,” she said gently, “we are only worried about you.”
Penelope’s tone was laced with concern. The teasing edge had fallen away, only to be replaced with seriousness.
Isadora swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat.
Should I tell them of my troubles with Evan?
