The altercation with Lady Rebecca and her friend that evening came to mind. Yet Isabella doubted it was for that reason Lady Kendrick had written and parted her lips to say so, but Christine beat her to it.
“I don’t believe so. Had that been the case, Lady Kendrick would’ve definitely sent a direct letter to you or even to me. I believe this is something entirely different.”
And different it was.
Sitting in the waiting room of the Everthorne House the next day with Christine beside her, Isabella could hardly believe she had returned to the magnificent mansion or fathom what she was doing there and why her presence was required.
Or why it was required with fifteen other ladies and their mamas or chaperones.
Isabella had guessed the ladies would not be glad to see her, but considering she was with her stepmother, the Duchess of Ironstone, she thought they’d have some manners towards her.
The ladies had blatantly greeted Christine and gone on as though Isabella hadn’t been standing right next to her.
Lady Kendrick was too busy greeting her other guests to notice. Now, she had turned to everyone.
“I am simply delighted that you are all here!” she began, and a ripple of applause and cheerful murmurs followed. “I dare say, this invitation must have taken some of you completely by surprise, and naturally, you are all wondering why I have summoned you. Well, the truth is,” she paused, letting her eyes twinkle as she swept a hand dramatically across the room, “the fencing competition, charming as it may have been, was but a clever ruse. I intend to establish a club for the ladies of the ton!”
A ripple of excited confusion moved through the room before Lady Kendrick could continue.
“Alas, in my current state, I cannot manage such an endeavor alone, so I thought to observe discreetly under the guise of this delightful sport while keeping an eye out for well-mannered ladies who might assist me.”
More glances of concern and surprise were exchanged.
“And now,” she continued, leaning slightly forward with a mischievous glint, “this is where your talents are required. I wish the admission process to be… entertaining! Competitive, even! Each of you,” she gestured with a flourish, “will organize a special presentation of activities you would like to include in ourclub. And naturally, a demonstration will be expected—no faint hearts here, I trust!”
Isabella was not sure what to make of the situation, seeing as the older lady made no mention of the reward each lady would receive for her participation, yet she had an intuition that something else was planned.
“How wonderful is this? Founding this club with Lady Kendrick will no doubt raise a lady’s standing in society,” one of the ladies on the left of her said to her friend, who equally shrieked and nodded.
“Perhaps, it might even earn the Duke’s attention.” Someone replied.
At the mention of the Duke, heat crept up Isabella’s neck and face, which she forced down with a roll of her eyes before turning to Christine.
“I do not wish to participate in this,” she told her, her mind seeming final on the decision.
“It is certainly your choice, however, I cannot help but feel a little disappointed. I’ve never seen you back away from a challenge before,” Christine observed with a slight rise of her brows.
In response, Isabella sighed. She’d truly never backed away from a challenge before, especially because of a man.
Yet, when she’d tried to make sense of her refusal to participate, all roads led to the Duke in that sawdust-filled room.
Now that she thought about it, she was sure that the Duke was somewhere around the mansion.
Probably in that room, bent over with a hammer in his hand, fixing all his attention on the piece before him.
She shook her head to rid herself of the thought that was heavily laden with images of his muscles and bare back. Yet in all honesty, she knew that had she not encountered the Duke that night, she would’ve been excited to participate. Lady Kendrick seemed like a lady different from the others, and Isabella was desperate for a change of pace.
And perhaps, if she won the Dowager’s favor and launched this club, she would be far too occupied to endure the ton’s endless trifles. Even better, perhaps the persistent gentlemen who hounded her would be forced to turn their attentions elsewhere and leave her in peace.
“Each of you shall have a full week to prepare,” Lady Kendrick declared, her eyes sparkling as she scanned the room. “Afterward, we shall reconvene here, and I expect nothing short of your utmost ingenuity. Give it your best, my dear ladies! You have my gratitude in advance.”
With a small, satisfied nod, she waved her hand in a flourish, signaling that the assembly was dismissed, and one by one, theladies made their way from the room, buzzing with excitement and curiosity.
“I think I shall participate after all,” Isabella said to Christine as the wheels of their carriage rattled over the cobbled path, away from Everthorne House.
“Oh? How lovely, then. Would you like any help with the preparations?” Christine asked, her curiosity piqued.
“I appreciate the offer,” Isabella replied, a small, determined smile touching her lips, “but this one I must face on my own. I intend to show them what it means to meet a challenge head-on.”
