four
Isabella kept going back and forth on her choice.
Should she tell Helen she’d met the duke? Or should she remain silent?
Running into the duke had been a chance meeting, a pleasant one, but she wasn’t sure Helen would be happy to know her sister and her probable betrothed had wandered through the castle alone, laughing and frolicking like two children. She did most of those two, but still, he’d followed her.
She shifted on the stuffed stool in front of the vanity, getting ready for dinner.
“Please, stay still,” Lawson said, fixing one of Isabella’s wayward curls. “What’s got into you? You’re more skittish than usual.”
“I went out for a walk earlier?—”
“Alone?”
“—and I met the duke.” There. She said it.
Lawson’s mouth dropped open. “You met the duke informally whilst you were around on your own while you should have been in your room?”
“There was this beautiful fawn who was stuck in a thicket of thorns, and I didn’t have a blade, but Anthony…the duke had one, and we freed the poor creature, and we walked to the castle together, without the fawn, of course,” she said in one breath. “Nothing happened, and it was all very innocent. We laughed together. He isn’t as gloomy as I thought. But I don’t know if I should talk to Helen.”
“Lady Isabella,” Lawson said, staring at her in the mirror. “The Dukedom of Gloucester is one of the most powerful in the kingdom. This family isn’t normal. They breathe aristocracy. They have so much money and power they would crush your family in a moment without regrets. Do you think an earl is powerful? Not nearly powerful enough.”
She let out a shaky chuckle that lacked confidence. “You’re so dramatic.”
Lawson put down the comb. “What I’m saying is that your sister has the chance to be part of this ancient family, something she and your parents want desperately. The dowager duchess chose her among the aristocratic girls, not just in the kingdom, but among the European courts. Don’t do anything that might compromise your sister’s chances. Please.”
Isabella nodded, swallowing past the sickening lump in her throat. But then again, she hadn’t done anything that could compromise Helen’s future, had she? “Did the Dowager consider European aristocrats as well?”
“Of course she did. The duke is a desirable match for many European families. I heard even some wealthy American girls wouldn’t mind tying the knot with His Grace. So you see, your sister won a fierce competition.”
The last word upset Isabella. Anthony might be a great match, but he wasn’t a prize to be won. He was kind and, while his attitude was rather stern, he was also funny.
“Don’t mention anything to anyone.” Lawson finished braiding Isabella’s hair. “Smile, be polite, and keep quiet, please.”
“As usual.”
She didn’t say a word as she joined Father, Mother, and Helen in the corridor waiting to go to the dining room together. For some reason, the conversation with Lawson bothered her, which didn’t make sense because she was often told to stay quiet and be polite.
“Let me take a look at you.” Mother inspected Helen’s chignon, earrings, gown, and necklace. “Good. At the table, keep your back straight and your elbows tight. The same rules apply to you, Isabella.”
Keep smiling, be polite, and be quiet. Isabella nodded.
Helen touched her necklace, a thick, princess length, gold chain. “Actually, I was thinking of wearing the velvet cameo choker, the one Grandmother gave me for?—”
“Nonsense.” Mother waved a dismissive hand. “Gold is perfect.”
“But I love it and it matches?—”
“Helen, are you listening to me? I don’t want to hear another word.”
Helen flushed to the roots of her hair, muttering an apology. Isabella had to think about the seedlings in her conservatory in order not to protest against Mother’s harshness.
“Benjamin.” Mother turned her scowl to Father. “No politics.”
He frowned back. “I meet the duke in Parliament regularly.”
“Exactly. Keep the political discussions there.”
