Isaac had tried very hard to forget that place. He pushed away the image of the cream stone and the highest window where Sophia had often watched for him. “It does sound familiar.”
“Unfortunately, it hasn’t been well loved. It is quite far removed from any notable towns, so Lady Blackstone rarely visits anymore. She far prefers town life, you see. She left it to the management of her steward and a small number of servants. Do you spend any time at your Cornish estate?”
“No, none at all.” Isaac’s voice was faint. He hadn’t returned to Cornwall since his grandfather’s death. He had feared that Sophia’s family still frequented Lanveneth House, perhaps even Sophia with her husband and children. Isaac never would have guessed that she was still unwed, and that their family had as good as abandoned the house, just as he had Morvoren.
“Hmm. Well, it seems an undesirable place to settle down.” Lord Blackstone frowned. “My stepdaughter, Prudence, and her mother are quite fond of the place.”
He didn’t mention Sophia.
Isaac remembered Prudence clearly, though he was certain she had been altered even more than Sophia in the past four years. When he had known Prudence, she had been less thanfifteen years old, somewhat headstrong, but never lacking in wit. He could still see her thoughtful green eyes and dark brown hair, with her hard-earned smile flashing every once in a while. To think that she was of marriageable age—that Percy was courting her—was enough to send a shock through his entire being. How could little Prudence be the subject of Percy’s pursuit? A surge of protectiveness followed the thought, and his stomach became unsettled.
Lord Blackstone arranged a few papers in front of him. “Right then. I have read your letter of introduction from your cousin, which speaks highly of the strengths you possess.” He leaned forward. “But it is not your strengths which led you to apply for my club, is it Mr. Ellington?”
Isaac shifted in his seat. Being honest would be his best course of action. “No, my lord. Difficult er—regrettable circumstances caused me to be blackballed from White’s and Brook’s.”
“Would you care to explain these circumstances? I assure you, I am more understanding than most. I find it quite fulfilling to offer men a chance for redemption.” He flashed a smile. “While letters of recommendation often speak of a man’s strengths, I am far more interested in his weaknesses.”
Isaac took a deep breath but maintained eye contact. Lord Blackstone was perfectly still, blending in with the portraits and animals in the room.
“I was courting the sister of one of the members. The attachment became public more quickly than I anticipated or intended. A proposal was expected by her family, that gentleman included, but I—I couldn’t follow through. My ending the courtship led to the deep disappointment of the young lady, and I am ashamed of my behavior. I have vowed not to repeat it.”
Lord Blackstone was silent for a long moment. He seemed to be contemplating the weight and consequences of Isaac’sconfession. “A difficult situation, indeed.” His chipper tone was duller than before, and Isaac felt his hope melting away. “How long ago did this incident occur?”
“A month, perhaps less.”
Lord Blackstone’s smile faded. “What prevented you from offering the expected proposal?”
Isaac looked down at the desk. “I didn’t love her. I tried to. I wanted to.” He swallowed. “But I couldn’t. It has been a great difficulty for me to progress from courtship to marriage. This is unfortunately not the only time I have failed. It is no excuse, really, and I understand how unreliable I must seem.”
Lord Blackstone interlocked his hands atop the desk. “I do appreciate your honesty. What I am hearing is that you are an indecisive young man, but that your intentions are not entirely wicked.”
Isaac gave a hesitant nod.Not wicked at all.He would have liked to correct the statement, but he kept his mouth shut.
Lord Blackstone studied him a moment longer before sitting up straighter. “We all make mistakes, Mr. Ellington, and more mistakes are made in love than in any other business, I daresay.” He gave a soft smile, then reached behind him and withdrew a piece of pale pink stationary. “I shall allow you a probationary period of three months. So long as your behavior proves exceptional, you shall be permitted to remain a member of Blackstone’s beyond the first quarter.”
Isaac tried not to appear as surprised as he felt. “Thank you, my lord.”
“I do have a few conditions that are specific to your circumstances.” His unblinking eyes put an instant stop to Isaac’s celebration. Perhaps Lord Blackstonewasa little intimidating.
“Of course,” Isaac said.
Lord Blackstone slid a quill and inkwell toward a blank sheet of paper and began writing, reading the words aloud as he went. “During this probationary period, you shall not be permitted to court or form attachments with any relations of the gentlemen of Blackstone’s. No sisters, cousins, daughters,” his eyes lifted from the page, “or stepdaughters. I do like you, Mr. Ellington, but I would never allow you to court one of mine. Any father would do all he could to protect his daughters from such a public rejection. I hope you understand.”
“Yes—entirely.”
This was a good thing, he assured himself. If courting Sophia was against the rules, then he would not even be tempted to try. He could become acquainted with the harsher side of her character, which would enable him to move on. Yes. It was exactly what he needed.
“It’s not likely to be a problem,” Lord Blackstone continued, “given the circumstances of my eldest, but I thought I would take the proper precautions.”
Isaac’s shoulders stiffened. “Circumstances?”
“Miss Hale is expecting a proposal from Lord Finchley. I believe you would have seen him at the ball. The peacock.”
Isaac’s heart squeezed. He struggled to find his voice. “I thought he was a pheasant.”
“He might as well be one, for Sophia has successfully hunted him down.” Lord Blackstone gave a deep chuckle. “Please sign to indicate that you understand.” He slid two papers toward Isaac, then the quill and ink.
Isaac followed the instruction immediately, if only to further prove his commitment to keeping Lord Blackstone’s conditions. His heart stung at the news of Sophia’s courtship, but he pushed the feeling away. He would do well not to think of her more than necessary.
