“You may ask him yourself if you are so curious,” Isadora shot back with a huff.
“Whoa,” Daphne stepped back slightly. “I did not expect you to be so snappy about the matter. What’s going on with you?”
Violet seemed to agree, nodding fervently. “Yes, you’re acting a bit strangely. Is there something wrong?”
“Of course not.” Isadora shook her head, but her friends remained unconvinced. Perhaps the three of them weretoogood friends—nothing could stay hidden between them for long.
“I do not believe I have ever seen you so… distracted at a gathering before,” Violet mused. “And it would not be wise to lie to us. So please—tell us immediately what is wrong.”
“Yes, you are rather distracted,” Daphne agreed. “When you entered with Evan, you seemed so eager to leave his company that you nearly walked into a footman.”
Isadora scowled. “That was?—”
“A coincidence?” Violet offered helpfully.
“A moment of distraction?” Daphne added.
“Nothing,” Isadora insisted. “I was just… I lost my footing. I did not know you were keeping such a keen eye on me.” Her cheeks burned as she said the words out loud.
Her friends were not convinced. Violet tilted her head, studying her carefully. “No, I do not believe her. Something isdefinitelygoing on with her. And she refuses to tell us.”
“She’s not even brought up Penelope once,” Daphne observed. “Which is unusual for her. Not even asingleoverprotective remark.”
Isadora shot them both a glare, but they only smiled sweetly at her in return. “Has it occurred to you thatnowthat I am married, there might be other things to occupy my mind?”
“Of course, it has,” Violet laughed. “That is exactly what we are trying to find out here. If you would be so kind as to indulge us.”
Isadora let out a sigh of defeat. It was clear that it was impossible to hide anything from her friends. Perhaps it would actually do her some good to admit what was troubling her. She glanced around, ensuring no one was within earshot before lowering her voice. “It is not good.”
Violet and Daphne leaned in closer, the latter squeezing her hand. “Oh, darling. We were only teasing you. Has something serious happened?”
“Did you two get into a fight?” Violet demanded in an urgent whisper.
“Oh, no you both have gotten it all wrong,” Isadora hesitated, biting down on her lip. “Evan… kissed me.”
There was a beat of stunned silence, and then Daphne gasped so loudly that Isadora had to shush her.
“Hekissed you?For heaven’s sake, Isadora. That is hardly the dreadful thing you are making it out to be,” Daphne said, half-chiding, half-delighted.
“She’s right,” Violet joined in. “I thought the two of you had gotten into an awful fight or something of the sort.”
Isadora remained silent though she felt her cheeks heat up.
“No need to laugh at me.”
“We are not laughing,” Daphne corrected swiftly. “If anything, we are delighted for you.”
“Yes, it is about time,” Violet noted. “I thought that it might have happened already, considering that it has been some weeks since the two of you got married.”
Isadora pursed her lips. “I did not know we were supposed to adhere to a schedule.”
If anything,she felt that she was not ready for the kiss in the slightest. So, had they been early?
“Oh, forget about that,” Violet said smoothly. “We can fret over timelines at a later time. For now, tell us everything.”
“There is nothing to tell,” Isadora huffed, wondering if it had been a wise decision to tell her friends. “It was a mistake. He apologized immediately after.”
“I am not sure if I understand you correctly?” Daphne’s lips parted in horror. “He apologized?”
