“I would have regretted missing it,” George conceded, grumpily. “Did you arrange all of this on your own?”
Isadora wanted to say that she’d had help but then remembered the advice that Evan had given her so many times. That she must not shrink her own accomplishments.
“Yes, I did,” she conceded with a grin. “Do you like it?”
At that, Evan squeezed her waist slightly in approval.
George glanced around the room again, appearing to be what could only be described as reluctantly impressed.
“I have to say that you have outdone yourself,” he conceded. “This is the finest ball I have attended all Season. In fact, many of the guests have been singing your praises.”
Typical of him.He only saw the value of things whenotherspointed it out to him.
“I am sure that you must have been expecting otherwise,” Isadora replied.
A flicker of something almost like pride crossed his face.
“Perhaps not,” he admitted. “But I had my doubts as any father would.”
“Then I am pleased to have put them to rest,” she said, allowing the smallest hint of triumph to enter her tone.
George rubbed the back of his neck. “I suppose you have grown up now, and you are doing a rather good job at it.” He coughed, as though delivering a compliment was a difficult thing.
Penelope began to guffaw at his words but then quickly hid her laughter behind her fan before George could chide her.
“Now, I wish I could say the same for your sister here.” George caught her anyway. “Some growing up would do her well.”
“Oh, I would not worry about her, Father,” Isadora stepped up to defend Penelope. “She is growing up to be a remarkable woman but on her own timeline.”
“If that is what you believe, then I shall trust your judgment,” George said, and Isadora’s mouth nearly fell open in surprise. Never had she expectedthosewords to come out of her father’s mouth.
“Glad that you’re finally seeing the value in the Duchess’ words,” Evan answered for her.
“You have fit into the role well.” The older man’s jaw ticked slightly. “I suppose you were always meant to be a duchess.
It was not quite an apology, nor was it the effusive praise she might have once longed for. But coming from her father?It was as close as she would ever get.
Isadora had proved her worth to him, finally. And with how well the ball was going, she had proved it to the ton as well. Both things were once things of which she had only dreamed.
But now that she had them, their value did not seem so grand. In fact, what mattered to her truly was that she hadproven to herselfthat she was capable. And that her husband was by herside. Now that she had both of those things, she did not need any outside validation.
“Well, I am happy to hear that, Father.”
“No, no. The pleasure here is mine,Your Grace.” George’s lips flickered upwards into a smile.
Evan was proud of Isadora. The constant smile on his face as he remained by her side was a testament to that.
As they moved away from George and Penelope to greet the other guests, Evan bent down to whisper in her ear.
“You have really outdone yourself, love.” He loved the slight blush that formed on her cheeks as he said the words.
“Only because you are by my side,” she replied. “We make a terrific team.”
“That we do. But this ball was entirely your undertaking alone.” He smiled. “Credit where credit is due. Even your father recognizes that.”
“Oh, can you believe it?” she laughed. “I think that it might’ve been the nicest thing he has ever said to me.”
Evan squeezed her waist gently. “Well, he’d better get used to behaving like this. I will not give him much of a choice otherwise.”
