They all turned to him.
“Your Grace.” Lady Pembley’s smile was warm and perfectly calibrated. “What a lovely surprise. We were just telling Her Grace how we are all pleased that Ashbourne has a master again.”
“I can imagine.” He stepped further into the room.
He did not look at Isadora again because he could feel her composure from across the room, and he needed another second before he could join in their conversation.
“What brings you to Ashbourne?”
“Why, to pay our respects, of course.” Lady Pembley spread her hands with the confidence of someone for whom the answer was obvious. “One simply does not allow a new duchess to wonder whether her neighbors intend to welcome her.”
“How thoughtful,” he allowed.
He looked at Miss Caroline. She was looking at him, her color slightly higher than normal.
“Ja—Your Grace,” she said, ducking her head shyly. “It has been some time. You are well, I hope.”
“Very well,” he replied. “Thank you.”
“Youlookwell,” she added after a beat. “Ashbourne suits you.”
“I am finding that it does.” He paused, then turned to her mother. “Lady Pembley, you were saying you came to pay your respects.”
“Indeed.” Lady Pembley nodded. “And to say that we heard great things about the dinner last week. Lady Eversleigh told Mrs. Forster, who told me, that Ashbourne felt entirely transformed.” She smiled at Isadora. “High praise from Lady Ashfield, who does not distribute it carelessly.”
“She is very kind,” Isadora agreed.
Miss Caroline looked at James with a slightly strained smile. “You always spoke so warmly of entertaining,” she said. “Do you remember that evening at the Forsythes’ in March? You said you intended to invite me—people over when the weather improved.” She paused. “I thought at the time that you meant—” She stopped herself. “Well, here we are.”
The room went very still.
Here we are.Yes.
James glanced at Isadora, who seemed very interested in the pattern on her dress. He then looked back at Miss Caroline, at the careful brightness of her expression.
“I recall the evening,” he said simply.
“You were very… You were excellent company that spring.” Her voice softened.
He looked at her steadily. “Miss Caroline, whatever you think I said or think I intended in the spring, the situation has changed. I am a married man now.”
Her chin lifted fractionally. “I am aware of that.”
“Good.” He folded his hands behind his back. “Then we understand each other.”
Silence followed.
Lady Pembley moved into it swiftly.
“Well.” She set her cup down with a decisive clink. “We have taken up quite enough of your afternoon. Her Grace will think us terribly presumptuous, calling without prior notice.”
“Not at all,” Isadora assured her.
James looked at her. Not much was on the surface, but he sensed something underneath it.
The Pembleys rose. He did not offer to extend the visit, and Lady Pembley, to her credit, did not expect him to.
“Your Grace.” She inclined her head to Isadora. “Do come to Pembley when you are settled. I should like to show you the rose garden before the season is over.”
