Christine nodded. “Very well. I shall leave you to it, then, though I suspect nothing will hold you back once you set your mind to it.”
Isabella leaned back against the seat, eyes fixed on the passing landscape, mind already racing with plans and possibilities.
Despite herself, one thought of the Duke lingered, a dark, unexpected pull that made her pulse quicken.
She would not allow him, or anyone else, to distract her. Not now.
Not ever.
Chapter Three
“The sight never fails to amaze me. It is quite beautiful.” Christine nudged Isabella, drawing her attention to the view of Everthorne House before them.
Looking out the window, Isabella nodded.
In just two weeks, she’d visited the mansion a total of twice—today was the third visit—and each time felt like the first time she laid eyes on it; although, this time, her appreciation of its beauty was limited because of the nerves that took flight in her stomach.
The week had passed by quickly, and all Isabella had taken with her was the excitement at having something to focus upon. She’d done research, brainstorming, and planning, and she’d spent most of her days in the library. The day before, she’d gathered her family and forced them to listen to what she had come up with. They’d all praised her, but she couldn’t quite believe theirwords because she was sure they’d only said those good things because they were obligated to as family. Still, she’d felt good about it as she went to bed, then awoke with an onset of nerves.
“You know, frankly speaking, there haven’t been any of your ideas that did not amaze me. You put in so much effort to come up with that beautiful presentation. And dare I say it, if Lady Kendrick knows what she’s about, she won’t refuse you,” Christine announced proudly.
Isabella couldn’t be more grateful for those words because even without knowing, they were exactly what she needed to hear to get by with the journey to Everthorne House.
Inside the mansion’s waiting room, Isabella couldn’t help but notice the confident expressions on all the ladies present.
They’d all been instructed to stand in a straight line, facing the mamas and chaperones present, including Lady Kendrick.
The other ladies spoke amongst themselves, each sharing with the other snippets of their presentation, while Isabella simply stood there, gripping the edges of her presentation paper behind her, feeling out of place.
She had no friends amongst them, that much was obvious. She had Georgina, the Duchess of Windermere, and Beatrice, of course, but they both had husbands and children now, who took up their time.
Yet, Isabella couldn’t let that deter her. So what if she had no friends? In recent years, the absence of unmarried friends weighed as much as a feather in her mind.
Besides, when the club began its sessions, she was bound to find a new one; shared interests always brought people together. Perhaps she’d find an unmarried lady she hadn’t met before. So, she squared her shoulders and listened intently as the ladies began their presentation.
Lady after lady, the same or similar words rolled off their tongue in rehearsed grace, following timed mannerisms—the pauses, the smiles, the subtle dreamy gasps of excitement. They were all one and the same.
“How delightful would it be to have a club full of like-minded ladies where we’d all learn proper tea etiquette, embroidery, and even attain new skills like scent pouch making? I believe having the honor to join a club founded by Lady Kendrick would also mean having top-tier elegance, which cannot be attained by merely existing with the knowledge from our fathers’ houses.” Lady Amelia’s eyes blazed with determination as she spoke, occasionally smiling wider whenever she caught her mother’s raised thumb.
Applause filled the room from her mama and her friends, yet the one person who should’ve been impressed was anything but.
Lady Kendrick had been entertained at first, truly, she had been. However, after applauding for a few performances despite theirsimilarities, she’d grown tired, or perhaps bored, and was in no mood to do so again.
When Isabella was finally called upon, she sighed before stepping forward, hoping her presentation would at least be what Lady Kendrick sought.
“When Lady Kendrick awarded us the opportunity to make this presentation for the club, I contemplated within me if I should present what I thought the lady would be delighted to hear or to present what I’d like to see in a club. I chose the latter,” Isabella began, feeling the nerves that earlier had woven themselves into her system crumbling down. She straightened herself with dignity. “I would like to suggest that the club be a safe haven for ladies of the ton, young and old, to explore unconventional pursuits, not typically found in parlors, like fencing, literature beyond romance novels, science… any activity that sharpens the mind and body alike.”
There was a long, brittle silence as multiple pairs of eyes stared back at Isabella as though she had grown a second head. Then the silence broke with a crack of laughter. Ladies and their mamas alike snorted, trying to stifle their giggles.
Isabella’s eyes crossed paths with Christine’s, which were full of pride yet coated with worry.
Shaking her head slightly, Isabella attempted to reassure her that she was beyond intimidation. She raised her chin, pushing her chest out to show her confidence.
“I see no harm in expanding one’s mind and refining one’s skills, considering I believe we women, all of us, are capable of so much more.” She used one arm to gesture around the room.
The ladies felt silent again, and Isabella smiled.
“Thank you, Lady Isabella, for your presentation.” Lady Kendrick smiled, nodding warmly at her.
