“You appeared ready for Lord Milton to court you. Perhaps Felix took offense to that.”
Isabelle let out a sharp laugh, looking around at the lush greenery as the rain slowed. “Duke Windham no more cares for me than he cares for a mouse. I am nothing but an inconvenience who steals resources from him. He would just as soon see me gone as he would see me married.”
Victoria took off her gloves and tucked them into her pocket. “I think you underestimate my brother’s thoughts of you. I have known him a long time, and while he may not be the most pleasant person in the world, I do think he cares for you to some degree.”
“To the degree of which my father’s money will save his estate.” Isabelle sighed, some of the tension slipping from her shoulders. “I am not a fool, Victoria. I know what Duke Windham stands to gain if I am married.”
“And you do not wish to be married.” Victoria swung her legs. “Would it be so terrible to be married to such a man as Lord Milton?”
“I suspect not, but I have no interest in him. He may entertain me, but he lies to procure amusement and approval. I would rather have a man who spoke to me plainly that one who will do what he thinks he must to placate me.”
Victoria grabbed one of the reeds growing beside her and broke it from its stem, dragging the brown end through the water below. “Perhaps you and Felix could be married.”
Isabelle nearly fell in the water as she spun to look at her friend. “You cannot be serious. He is the last man on earth I would ever marry. While I can respect that the duke is your brother, he is abhorrent.”
“I take no offense, but you two are far more alike than either of you are willing to see. I would think that you would make a fine match if you were both willing to take a moment to set aside your stubborn natures.”
“His stubborn nature is only one of a great many things that deter me from your brother.”
Isabelle shuddered at the thought of spending an eternity with Duke Windham. He may have always been a kind man to his sisters, but he knew exactly how to get beneath her skin. He irritated her like no other, and his desire to marry her off only worked against him in winning her favor.
She refused to be married to the likes of him. She would rather marry Lord Townshend and spend the day being looked down upon than sacrifice her freedom to a man like Duke Windham.
“Victoria, go inside,” Duke Windham said, his voice coming from behind them as the dock vibrated with his heavy steps. “I must speak to Miss Alden alone.”
Victoria got to her feet. “Do not be too harsh, brother.”
“Go.”
Isabelle stood and turned to look at him, slipping the pins from her hair into her pocket. His eyes flashed with anger and his hands were curled into fists at his side. There was something about the way his wet hair clung to his head that made him only marginally more handsome than he was when he was dry.
However, his appealing appearance did not make up for his crotchety personality.
“You did not have to chase me down here, Duke Windham.”
“Enough!” His voice boomed but she held steady, not flinching as he approached her. “You have made a fool of yourself.”
“I fail to see how that matters. Lord Milton does not wish to marry. What would the need be in me making myself appear as a desirable candidate around him?” Isabelle spit the words out as she crossed her arms. “I was having a perfectly lovely conversation, but you had to stick your nose where it did not belong.”
“I am responsible for you. My nose shall belong wherever I deign to put it,” he said, his tone cold and his words steady as he stopped only a few inches from her. “You will go back in there and you will apologize for the show you have put on.”
“I will do no such thing. I excused myself and acted properly as I left. You cannot make demands against what I do out of the sight of others.”
“Must you always be so defiant?”
Isabelle scoffed. “Must you always be so demeaning?”
Heat radiated off his body in waves as he leaned closer to her. “You will stop receiving my disparaging attitude when you begin to act like a lady and not a petulant child.”
“I have not yet behaved like a child, but if you wish me to do so, then I would be more than happy to oblige you.” Isabelle stood straighter, glaring at him, her lips pressing together in a thin line. “Shall I stomp my foot? Demand candy? Perhaps you would like to send me to my room without supper.”
“Your room sounds like where you should be right now, even if I have to toss you over my shoulder and take you there myself!”
“You wouldn’tdare.”
His eyes narrowed and he took another step forward, stealing the very air from her lungs. “I would dare.”
“Cad.” She brushed past him, heading for the house. “I shall be in the study. Lord Milton has given me free reign over his books, and I intend to use it while I am here.”
