Isadora stiffened beside Evan.
Without thinking, Evan’s arm slid around her shoulders, pulling her firmly against him, letting her feel the solid weight of him at her side.
Isadora did not move at first, but then, slowly, her shoulders relaxed.
“He is all bark,” Evan muttered to her as he led her away from the scene. “Like a wounded dog, he will only make noise. It is best if we ignore him.”
Isadora shook her head as Harry’s voice faded into the background. “I cannot imagine that this was the man that my father had opted to marry my sister off to.”
“Good thing you put a stop to it,” Evan winked at her. “Now please. Forget him. Let us go inside.”
Isadora nodded. “Yes, let’s.”
And as they stepped inside, Evan had the strangest feeling that, for the first time since they had met… she might actually have been glad to have him by her side.
“You are late.”
Isadora barely had time to take a breath before Daphne appeared at her side, linking their arms.
Violet, standing beside her, arched a brow. “I believe it is considered unfashionable to arrive on time, Daphne.”
“Yes, well, I have been waiting to see her, so I do not care for fashion.” She turned to Isadora, her blue eyes alight with curiosity. “I have been aching to speak to her.”
Isadora pursed her lips. “I suppose you already have a long list of questions prepared for me.”
Daphne was nothing if not curious.
“Of course, if I do,” Daphne chuckled delightedly. “How is married life?”
“Do you mean to interrogate me before I have even had a drink?” Isadora tried to dodge the question.
Daphne’s lips curved mischievously. “That depends. Will you tell me the truth before or after?”
“Oh, Daphne, do not bother the poor girl,” Violet smirked. “She will not tell you. She will say it is ‘fine’ and offer no further details.”
“You know me too well,” Isadora laughed.
“Great.” Daphne flicked her wrist as if to wave off any criticisms. “Now, tell me—has Evan been treating you well? What is it like with him?”
“I don’t know the words to describe it. He is…” Isadora pursed her lips. “Dreadful, insufferable, and occasionally tolerable.”
“Tolerable?” Violet laughed. “That is higher praise than I expected.”
“Oh please, I can tell when she is bluffing,” Daphne cut in. “Violet, she is keeping the truth from us. Can you believe it?”
Before Isadora could retort, a familiar low chuckle came from behind them.
“Talking about me already, Duchess?”
Isadora whipped around, her cheeks heating at the sight of Evan.
Ah.He had overheard their conversation. Isadora wished for the ground to open up then and swallow her whole.
But Evan, on the other hand, seemed rather unfazed with the whole thing. Not offended. Amused, more than anything.
He had, of course, abandoned his conversation with Ambrose and Nicholas to come directly to her the moment he sensed he was being discussed.
“Naturally.” Daphne smirked, entirely unrepentant. “What else is a newly wedded wife expected to do, Your Grace?”
