“Because, more than anyone, Miss Valentine deserves to be at a ball.”
Orlando stopped and turned to Storm.
“She has spent the past two years caring for soldiers. Holding their hands as they took their last breaths. Dressing wounds and reading from books. Doesn’t she deserve to have an evening of enjoyment?”
“You care about my sister?”
“Yes. I do.”
“What are your intentions?” Not that he would grant permission for anything until he spoke with Isabella, Orlando still wanted to know.
“She is a friend. I hope that one day we could be more.”
It was not quite a confession of love and Orlando appreciated Storm’s honesty. “You two are from different worlds.”
“As she has mentioned to me.”
It was likely she didn’t explain just how different.
“She will not attend with me, but you could make her go with you.”
Orlando rubbed his temples. He was too tired to play matchmaker for his sister.
“Dr. Valentine, your sister deserves a night at a ball. Heaven knows when she will get another opportunity once the fighting begins again.”
“That is just it, Captain Storm, my sister and I are from humble backgrounds. Even after we return home, you will never find either of us at a ball. A country assembly, perhaps, but nothing beyond.”
“All the more reason for her to attend this one.”
Maybe his sister should enjoy a ball for a change. Heaven knew that the last few years had been difficult enough, even though she could leave at any time. And he really had not spent much time with Isabella and maybe it was time they discussed her future, and his, and attend a ball.
And, if he could convince Blythe to risk an appearance, he might just be lucky enough to escort two women. “Very well. I will ask her to attend with me.”
Storm blew out a breath and smiled. “Thank you.”
Orlando turned so that he could return to his duties.
“But I do have one other request.”
With a sigh he turned back to Storm. He had already asked quite a bit. “That would be?”
“Do not tell her the invitation was through me. She might not go, which would ruin the whole purpose of obtaining it in the first place.”
Orlando stiffened. Perhaps it wasn’t the ball his sister objected to, but more the company. “Is it because of you she does not wish to attend?”
“No,” he answered quickly. “It is because she does not think she belongs and will refuse if she knows I am the one who arranged for her to be there.”
In that, Storm was correct. Orlando reached forward and took the invitation that Storm was still holding. “I will not say a word to my sister.”
And even though Orlando knew that Storm was likely waiting to find out if Isabella would go to the ball, he continued his duties and saw to the ill and injured men before he returned to his tent where he found his sister.
“We will be attending the Duchess of Richmond’s ball in two days.”
“We are attending what?” Isabella looked at him as if he had lost his mind.
He picked up a handful of invitations that had not yet been discarded. “As a doctor of rank, I have been invited to several functions and have ignored them.”
“Why is this different?”
