Once they were a few steps away, Penelope turned to her sister, exasperated. “What is thisurgentmatter that could not wait until after the dance?”
“It was an excuse to get you away from him,” Isadora said simply. Penelope’s mouth hung open.
“Isadora, I agreed to dance with him,” she said slowly in disbelief. “You did not need to meddle like this.”
“It would have been if fine if he hadn’t crossed boundaries,” Isadora insisted. “I am telling you that it was wildly inappropriate for him to place his hand on your waist in that manner. Howboldof him—the audacity is shocking. That alone is enough to warrant an interruption.”
“It was only a small gesture,” Penelope argued back, clearly not understanding whyit was such an issue. “You are being too old fashioned.”
“No, I am being careful which you ought to be as well. Not everyone is trustworthy enough, Penelope. No man should feel that he is free to touch you like this, especially during your first meeting.”
“Oh, so would it have been fine if it was our second meeting?” Penelope argued back. “Would you have been satisfied then?”
“Of course not,” Isadora replied. “I would have put a stop to it then as well.”
Penelope sighed, rubbing at her temple before taking Isadora’s hand in hers, squeezing it. “You are being difficult.”
“Penelope,” Isadora warned again, “I am looking out for you because, one, I knowyou. And second, you are a lady, and I know how careful you ought to be. Do you understand that?”
Despite the sigh in her voice, Penelope did not argue further. Isadora took that as a victory and returned to her friends.
Though this time, she kept an eye out for Penelope—who stood behind her. The gentleman had scurried away.
Hopefully for good,she thought.
“Can I at least go and get a drink for myself?” Penelope asked, her voice straining. “I do not wish to just stand around here doing nothing the entire night.”
“Only if you promise not to entertain riff raff gentlemen.” Isadora narrowed her eyes but softened slightly upon seeing the look on her sister’s face.
Perhaps she was being a bit too harsh on her.
“Fine then, go on,” she continued.
“Thank you for thepermission, Your Highness,” the younger sister laughed, half in amusement and half in exasperation.
“Remember that I will be watching you.”
“Oh, you need not remind me. That much is already apparent,” Penelope said before drifting off.
“Tell me, Isadora,” Daphne mused as Isadora approached them again, “do you plan to chaperone Penelope forever? Surely, you must have some aspirations of your own?”
“My only aspiration is to see that my sister does not end up married to a scoundrel.”
It was the plain truth. No mincing her words.
Violet laughed. “And if a respectable gentleman were to come along?”
“I would evaluate him thoroughly,” Isadora said primly, “and only then, perhaps, would I consider stepping aside.”
“Quite the detective you are,” Daphne sighed dramatically.
Their conversation was interrupted when the orchestra began to play, and couples began to pair off. Isadora watched as Penelope was once again approached, this time by Lord Benedict Hawthorne—a respectable match, by all accounts. Still, she could not help but scrutinize his every move.
Penelope caught her sister’s gaze and sighed before walking over to her. “I give you my word, Isadora. I will not elope with him tonight.”
“See that you do not,” Isadora replied though her tone was not as serious as it had been before.
As the dance began, Daphne leaned in with a smirk. “One day, dear Isadora, someone will watch you just as closely as you watch your sister.”
