It was no secret that Liverpool was a close confidante to the Prince Regent,butwhile hehadmisinterpreted her upset, she allowed him to think thatit was society’s approval thatunnerved her, when the opposite couldn’t be more true. “Thank you,” she murmured. “That ismost kind.”
With that, he stepped back andheld out an arm. “But I’ve been remiss in introducinganother colleague ofthe Home Office. Lady Wistenberry, may I present Logan Montgomery?”
Isabella couldn’t help but stare asthe agent rose to his feet. She’dhave to beblindnot to be affected by hispresence. In the face ofhis stark attire,thatintimidating height,coal black hair, and those ice-blue eyes, he was positively handsometo look at.
With a crooked grin and a certain air of charisma, he bowed deeply and said, “An honor, my lady.”
She inclined her head. “Mr. Montgomery.”
“I trust Ridge hasn’t given you too much trouble. If so, I would be happy to stand in for him.”
Isabella thought she heard a slightcursecome from Ridge, so shefound the opportunity she’d been waiting for toshift her gaze to look at him.
Their eyesmet and held.
He’s magnificent…For the first time since they’dmet, he was dressed in something other than a simple cambric shirt and trousers.Tonight he’d dressed accordingly with a full waistcoat, cravat, and jacket. While the brown and gold scheme might not have complimented every man, with Ridge’s darkhairand intense brown eyes, he was rather appealing. And while she could appreciate a well-dressed man as much as any woman, she actually preferred him in more simple attire, for it suited his personality.
Either that—or nothing at all.
“I appreciate your offer, but there’s no need for that, Mr. Montgomery.” Isabella interceded before Ridge had a chance toreply. “Mr. Claymoore has been a perfect gentleman.”
She wasn’t sure Logan believed her, but as the earl spoke, she turned her attention back to him.“I wouldn’t have expected anything less. But enough talkfor now.”Liverpoolnodded to Logan. “I’m rather famished.Shall we head intothe dining room?”
He offered his arm to Isabella, which she accepted,although the simple gesturewent far toremind her of the social differences between her and Ridge.
And how much she already missedbeing alone with him.
***
Dinner was a torturous affair—at least,it wasfor Ridge.He noticed that Isabella hadfound a way to fashion the ribbon he’d bought her, a glittering reminder of their time together, but if he had to suffer one more flirtatious comment from Montgomery, he was going tocallhimout. He’dshot him more than one warning glare; hoping the bastard mightget themessagethat the lady was spoken for, but other than amockingwinkin his direction,thatwas all the reaction Ridge had received.
So when Liverpool turned the conversation to Isabella’s family, he was glad forthe distraction—until hesawthetight lines of strainstarting to appearon her face.
“I’m sure you’re eager to hear news of your family,” the earl noted. “Have you heard that the Earl of Stoneville and his wife are expecting their first child this fall?”
“No, I’m afraid Ihaven’t.” Isabella took a sip of her wine. “ButI’m very happy for my brother and I daresay I can’t wait to dote upon my new niece or nephew.”
“The countess isn’t yetin her confinement, soI havehad the pleasure of conversingwith them at severaltonevents,” Liverpool went on to say. “Of course, theywerehighlysympathetic about the unfortunate predicament you now find yourself in. Jeffrey expressly wished me to tell you that since you have restored the family’s goodname with your marriage, theywill standbesideyouduringthe viscount’strial.”
“That’s very…thoughtfulof him.”
Ridge caught the hitch in her voice and his fists clenched under the table.It sounded like herbrotherwasa pompous ass.
Lord Liverpool wiped his mouth with his napkin, apparently notnoticing thatanythingwasamiss, that the more he spoke, Isabella’s expressionbecameeven furtherdowntrodden. “I took the liberty of calling on Lord and Lady Ashfield as well. Naturally, they werealsoconcerned for your wellbeing, butyour motherasked me to remind you that it was your impulsive nature that ended in this regrettable outcome, and that the whole ordeal of your elopement hasthem bothterribly overset.”
Ridge watched as Isabella tookquite a bitmore than a delicate sip of her wine this time. “I should imagine Mama would have been forced to abstain from shoppingon Bond Street for at least a week,” she murmured.
A slight crease formed alongLiverpool’s browas if he wasinserious thought.“No, I do believe shesaid sheremained in near isolation for at least a fortnight.”
Ridge heard Isabella snort, but their host didn’t seem to notice. And while Montgomery lifted a brow at her response, for he was as observant as Ridge, he was wise enough not to comment.
As Liverpoolcontinued to droll on aboutLondon society,obviously under the belief that the lady cared,Ridgewatched Isabella for her reaction. Henoticed thatshe relaxed once the topic had moved away from her family, althoughthere was still a marked tension in the set of her shoulders.
It wasn’t untilMrs. Hopper brought forth the last coursethatLiverpool breathed deeplyand said, “And what do we have here?”
“It’s apple pie, my lord, with a few figs, raisins, pears,and spices added for an extra touch of sweetness.”
As Isabella met the older woman’s gaze, Ridge saw her express her first genuine smile of the evening.
“My mouth is fairly watering,” the earlreturned with ahearty chuckle, as he placed a hand over his heart.“It sounds delicious. Well done, Mrs. Hopper.”
“The honor was mine, Lord Liverpool.”Mrs. Hopper bowedandtook her leave.
Isabella must have thought it was the perfect time to make her escape, for she rose to her feet. “If you gentlemenwill excuse me, Iregret that I must retire for the evening. I feel a slight headache coming on.”
“Of course.” Liverpool stood and bowed over her hand. “I knowvery wellhow delicatea lady’s constitutioncan be. My wife has taught me thatfemalesare often overset by various maladies.”
Isabellawouldnot have taken kindly to such a veiled insult to her sex.Nonethelessshe swept from the room as graciously as a true lady.
