1
"Explain to me why we're here," Isabella asked as she scanned the crowded dance floor. It looked as if everyone in the ton had come to the Baron's birthday. Yet, despite it being the occasion of the season, Isabella wished the whole thing was already over.
"We are hereto enjoy the festivities," Isabella's aunt, Daphne said as she batted her fan vigorously, haughty eyes lingering near the fountain. It was pathetic to watch her aunt fawning over the young Earl. But then again, every eye was on him, even Isabella's, who was having trouble trying to figure out who in the Earl's cabinet thought it was a brilliant idea for the Earl to wear such a pompous wig. What her aunt or anyone saw in the Earl went way over Isabella's head.
"Areyou sure it's the festivities and not someone? And don't play coy. I can see the guilt creeping through that wretched smirk of yours," Isabella teased as her aunt pushed out her bosom and stood a bit straighter.
"I wasn't goingto deny it," Daphne said as her smirk stretched to a smile. "It's not like I would even have a shot with such a young man."
"Has the Earl enchanted even you?"Isabella teased as she turned her back to the Earl to catch a glimpse of the evening stars. They seemed to sparkle brighter than any night she had seen before.
"Impossible to enchant me— I'm too old and far too round," Daphne said as the sound of her fan whipped through the air at such speeds, Isabella wondered how her aunt hadn't taken flight yet.
"Keep beatingthat fan as fast as you are, and you'll take right off with the birds," Isabella said as the sharp cackle from the garden below caught her ear. Peering through the shadows, Isabella's heart fluttered. Had she really heard something? Or was it merely the hour and she needed sleep?
Isabella craned her neck,leaning just a bit over the railing. Straining her ears, she listened to the sounds of crickets and frogs between the long melancholic music. How could anyone dance to such dreary music that made her cringe? But it was her aunt's idea to drag her out of the house. And for her favorite aunt, Isabella couldn't say no.
"I heardhe's looking for a bride," Daphne whispered.
"Then maybe youshould go and put your name in the hat," Isabella suggested playfully as she gave up listening for conversation below.
"That isn't funny,"Daphne said despite the spark in her eye. "If I was younger, you bet I'd be right there with the rest of them. Say, why don't you go and welcome him here?"
"I don't think so,"Isabella replied as a new melody filled the ballroom. The violins sang as the cello kept pace, and soon, Isabella found herself swaying to the delightful tune.
"Oh,let me live vicariously through you," she pleaded. "You and I both know if I went down there for a dance, the poor lad would have to grant it to me out of respect. But if you do it…"
"As fun as that sounds,"Isabella answered as she tasted the bitterness of her sarcasm as it left her lips, "I think I'll pass. In fact, I think maybe the night has run its course. I'm tired, and I don't think that anything exciting is going to happen."
"But we can't go,"Daphne objected as her attention shifted for a moment to the door. "The Baron has yet to cut his cake. And there's the matter of the presents. If we leave, we might miss out on something."
Isabella tuckedher arm into her aunt's and pulled her to the railing of the balcony and out of view of the Earl. Pity filled her as she watched her aunt struggle to get back to her perch to spy on him.
"Aunt Daphne,please. I'm tired. This is the fourth party we've come to, and let us face it, no one wants to dance with me, let alone marry me. If that is why you brought me here, I told you, it's not in my cards. Father should just send me to a convent."
"Your father would never dothat, and do you know why? Because he needs you to marry, and mark my words, child you will," Daphne explained. Her tone shifted to a more serious note as the lighthearted smile shifted to a scowl. "Now, stand tall, and look lively."
"Oh no,"Isabella grumbled as she rolled her eyes. The Harpies of Yorkshire strolled through the crowd, making a beeline right for her. Isabella flexed her jaw, wishing she was downstairs or maybe in the garden — anywhere but on the balcony and certainly not so close to the Earl.
"Has he come?"Daphne asked, her voice pitched with excitement.
"Who?"Isabella asked as confusion riddled her face. Her aunt's sudden shift felt forced, but Isabella didn't have the time to explain the situation before Catherine, Josephine, and Margret meandered by, their gazes locked on her like wolves circling prey.
"Look who it is,"Catherine said flashing a mischievous smirk. "Isabella. Oh my, well, you certainly picked the perfect color to be a wallflower. Or was it a specter you were hoping to emulate? It's no wonder the Earl hasn't spotted you; you're just so hard to find."
Isabella pursedher lips and glared at the three girls, practically pinning her to the balcony. She arched her eyebrow as she gave Catherine a once over.
"I'msure you'd know all about being invisible," Isabella countered. "This is what? Your third season? Surely you have the record of most overlooked."
Catherine's jaw dropped,and her eyes widened as large as saucers. The rage burning in Catherine's gaze only made Isabella want to drive the knife deeper. If it weren't for her aunt standing next to her, she'd give Catherine a real piece of her mind.
"I was stuckin Italy last season if you must know," Catherine hissed as she stepped between Josephine and Margret as if they could back her up.
"I heard,and how is your cousin?" Isabella asked as she rubbed her belly insinuating the pregnancy that no one wanted to talk about. Catherine's cheeks flushed a deep rouge as heavy steps fell closer, thundering in Isabella's ears.
"Ladies,you seemed to have bloomed in the moonlight," the Earl said, his voice thick and seductive. Isabella glanced to her aunt, trying to mask the disdain for the Earl and for even being at the party. Yet, as much as she loved bucking the rules, Isabella graced the Earl with a proper, somber curtsy.
"Oh my,"Daphne gasped as she fluttered her fan, trying to keep herself calm. "We are so pleased to see you here."
