Alexander barked a laugh before he could stop himself, drawing a few stares from nearby guests.
“Not so loudly, Your Grace,” she muttered as she smiled at an approaching couple. “People might think you’re actually enjoying yourself.”
“I might be,” he said under his breath, “This is far more entertaining than I expected.”
“Happy to provide a show,” Penelope arched a brow.
“Oh, I’m not sure it’s a show.” He looked down at her then. “You look like yourself tonight.”
That seemed to catch her off guard. She blinked, turning her face forward again.
“I don’t know what that means.”
Alexander realized then, that even he did not know. There was just something about her dress tonight that had him rambling like a fool.
They had just passed the grand staircase when Penelope’s face lit up—not at anything Alexander had said, but at the sight of her sister.
“Isadora!” she breathed, her irritation melting away in an instant.
Alexander glanced sideways, mildly amused. So that was the key to breaking her sour mood, he noted to himself.
Isadora stood at some distance, and she looked up just in time to spot them and gave a delighted wave. Penelope moved quickly, and wrapped her sister in a hug.
“Isadora, you are absolutely glowing, I must say,” she said earnestly.
“It’s mostly exhaustion and sugar biscuits,” Isadora smiled. “The baby has been keeping us up , but I’ll take the compliment.”
Alexander offered Evan, who was Isadora’s husband, a nod of greeting as he approached more slowly. He watched Penelope chat animatedly with her sister.
“Honestly,” Penelope was saying, “you must sit more. You’re running yourself ragged.”
“I do sit,” Isadora huffed. “But Evan thinks I ought to be wrapped in wool and locked in a drawing room.”
Isadora turned her attention to him properly then. “Your Grace,” she said, with a polite incline of her head. “It’s good to see you.”
“And you, Your Grace,” Alexander replied smoothly. “You’re looking well.”
“I feel as well as one can in this state,” she said with a graceful laugh, “But I’m managing. I trust you’ve been keeping well?”
“Well enough,” he said. “Busy, as ever. But I can’t complain.”
She nodded, then glanced briefly at Penelope, who was half-listening while pretending not to.
“And my sister? You’ve been taking good care of her, I hope?”
Alexander could hear the protective edge in her voice.
“She is quite the presence,” he said mildly. “I do what I can.”
“That sounds about right,” Isadora smiled knowingly.
Penelope let out the faintest scoff but said nothing.
“She seems to be adjusting well,” Alexander added,“I believe your influence has had a lasting effect.”
“My influence?” Isadora seemed surprised. “Oh no, Your Grace. You must allow me to correct you here. My sister is not one to take anyone’s influence. Rather, she has a mind of her own and opinions that she has formed herself.”
“I suppose that I cannot argue with that,” Alexander nodded in agreement. It was her spirited nature, after all, and that could not be denied.
