Within moments of the stupefying description of the cistern book, Jason appeared at Isobel’s side.
Isobel, still shaky and breathless from the near miss with Lady Cranford, had the extreme pleasure of introducing the Duke of Northumberland to her mother.
Jason said all the correct things, praising Georgiana’s work as an actress and Isobel’s skill as a cultural attaché. If he made no mention of their relationship, the possessive hand he settled on her lower back said more than words. And not simply to Georgiana. Bystanders craned to examine the duke’s proximity to Isobel, his attention to her every comment, his possessive touch.
To her credit, Georgiana was careful not to upstage Isobel or flirt. Her radiant face was awash with love, and also with hopefulness. She was rapt, an audience member for once, desperate to see what delightful thing would happen next.
Ultimately, that thing was Jason pulling Isobel away.
“We’ve things of dire importance to discuss,” he told their mothers and his sisters. “If you’ll excuse us.”
“Such an epidemic of dire discussions and urgent conversations at this ball,” observed the dowager duchess. But she was already turning away, taking Georgiana by the arm to introduce her to a passing group.
Jason looped Isobel’s arm beneath his and led her from the ballroom. The closer they got to the doors, the faster he walked. They were nearly running by the time he pulled her into a wide, shadowy corridor, vacant except for some distant guests.
Isobel laughed at his haste, looking behind her to see if the crowd had noticed their flight. When she looked back, Jason was reaching for her. Without breaking stride, he picked her up and whirled her into an embrace, burying his face in her neck.
“Is the ball over?” he breathed.
“Yes,” she teased, “it is over and the house is deserted and now you and I and your sister may resume our work in your library.”
“On second thought, it cannot end.” He gave her a smacking kiss and set her down, recovering her arm. “Not yet. Not until I’ve made the announcement.” He resumed their march down the corridor.
“What announcement?”
“Our betrothal. What else?”
Isobel missed a step. “Our—”
“Do not test me on this, Isobel. I’ve waited bloody long enough. I’ve a special license in my pocket. Calling on the archbishop was one of the few things I actually achieved in these last many weeks. If the vicar is still in attendance, we’ll do the thing tonight.”
“Do what ‘thing’?” Isobel rasped, stopping in the middle of the hall.
Jason kept walking. “Prepare yourself, S’bell. My patience has run its course.”
He turned to walk backward, facing her. From inside his coat, he pulled a tiny box. He flipped it in the air like one of his coins. Then he pitched it to her. Isobel was unprepared but caught it on reflex.
“But what is—?” She stared at the box in her hands.
“Jason?!” A head popped through a ballroom door. His sister Susana, her voice winded, like someone was chasing her.
“Not now, Sue,” he ground out, not looking at her.
“It cannot wait,” said his sister. “It’s Reggie. He’s delved into a political debate and offended someone’s French relation. The man is threatening to call Reggie out. He’s thrown his drink in Reggie’s face. Mama is furious. She’ll not have dueling at Syon Hall.”
Jason closed his eyes and swore under his breath. He stared at the ceiling. “I swear, Reginald Pelham,” he vowed, “for once could you imperil yourself without inconveniencing so many other people? Most of all, me?”
He pointed to Isobel. “Stay right here. Do not move. This will take ten minutes, no more.” He strode in the direction of his sister.
“Are you certain I shouldn’t come?” Isobel asked after him.
He was shaking his head. “Reggie’s debt to you already extends two lifetimes.”
Isobel watched Jason and his sister disappear into the ballroom.
She looked down at the small, leather box in her hands.
With trembling fingers, she slid the ebony latch and popped the lid. Nestled inside a froth of ivory velvet was a ring. The simple gold band was set with a swirl of stones in three shades of green—emeralds, peridots, and jade—interspersed with fiery white diamonds.
