Isolde laughed and scooted closer to her cousin.
“Forgive me, dear. I could not resist, but yes, I understand what you’re saying. Who was it?”
“A man I danced with …” Annora trailed off for a moment, starry-eyed, then continued, “He was ever so handsome – andsmart, too! We talked of such interesting things. And I know it’s very soon to say it, but I believe he felt for me as I do for him.”
Isolde watched her cousin’s face with affection and a tiny sliver of envy. It sounded so effortless, and she wondered what it would have been like to find love that way.
“So who is this smart and handsome man that has won my cousin’s heart so quickly?”
“Well, I can’t say for sure,” Annora replied. “I did not get his name.”
“Didn’t get his name?” Isolde gasped, feeling scandalized. “How is that possible? Surely you were introduced?”
“Well, of course, normally we would have been, but my dance partner was summoned away just as the waltz was starting and this man very benevolently jumped in to save me from standing alone like a fool. It was quite romantic, darling.”
“But surely you asked for his name after the dance had finished?” Isolde stared at her cousin, aghast.
“But darling, after that, we danced some more! And besides, who cares about names or titles? I’m talking aboutlove.” Annora looked at Isolde’s face and giggled. “Do not worry, my dear.There will be ever so many more balls this season. I am sure to meet him again. Besides, I believe it must be fate.”
Isolde shook her head.
“I’m happy for you, of course, but I do not see how you could be in love with a man you just met.” Even as the words left her mouth, she pictured Thaddeus. Again, she thought of that moment in the garden, his face so close to hers.
Having Crowley that close to her had made her feel sick, her whole body rejecting him. But Thaddeus had been different. Having him so close had made her heart race … Isolde pulled herself from this reverie to see Annora watching her with a raised eyebrow.
“And howarethings with you and the Marquess of Hartington?” she asked, as if she knew where Isolde’s thoughts had been.
“What do you mean?” Isolde asked, flustered, and Annora shrugged.
“Just that I wondered if he might have mentioned a change of heart. I saw the two of you dancing. You seemed quite close. I even caught some smiles passing between you. Are you sure nothing has changed between you?”
“Of course, nothing has changed,” Isolde said, even as she felt the ghost of his finger tucking her hair behind her ear, and her heart started to beat a little faster. “We have a plan, and we’ve agreed to stick to it.”
Isolde could tell Annora was not convinced and was thankful that their conversation was interrupted when the door opened.
That is, she was thankful until Thaddeus appeared in the doorway. She blushed and told herself that it was just because he’d nearly caught them talking about him.
“Ah, Miss Fairchild, at last I’ve found you. Miss White, good morning.” He inclined his head toward them both, but his manner was reserved. He barely looked at Isolde as he spoke.
“Good morning, My Lord,” Annora replied, a smirk dancing at the corners of her mouth.
“Forgive me, Lord Hartington,” Isolde said. “I did not know you were looking for me.”
Thaddeus waved his hand.
“It’s no matter. I’ve only come to inform you that I shall depart for London. I have a few days of business there.”
Isolde did not know why that news made her feel suddenly cross. It was a perfectly expected thing, for a lord to have business in the city.
“I hope you will travel well and your business goes agreeably,” she said, and for a moment his eyes glanced to hers. When their gazes met, it was as if his cold manner dropped.
Behind it there was something else, a look she did not understand, but it sent a shiver up her spine and a fluttering sensation through her stomach. Then he looked away again, and it was gone.
“Thank you. Hopefully, I will not be gone long. While I’m away, you, of course, have the freedom to do as you wish. I simply ask that you attend any events the family has been invited to – my mother and sister shall accompany you, of course. I think that will be the best course of action to … keep everything going according to plan.”
Isolde realized he was trying to speak vaguely, not realizing Annora knew of their plan. He was telling her to keep up appearances, but also subtly hinting that she could use those occasions to look for a love match.
Her stomach did an odd flip at the idea of attending balls and other events without him, talking to other men, hoping one of them might be a match.
