Page 12 of Isabel and the Rogue

“As you have, Miss Luna,” the captain said, his tone sober. Looking at the baroness, he tilted his head. “And your point seems rather shortsighted, my lady.”

Isabel blinked at Captain Dawson’s words. Apparently, she was not the only one surprised, for the baroness frowned outright.

“Whatever do you mean?”

Captain Dawson widened his stance. “What I mean, your ladyship, is that if Britain is providing you with everything you want and need, it’s because it was taken from somewhere else.”

Lady Needham’s brows dipped low. “I don’t understand.”

“The lace on your bodice, my lady.”

Isabel only realized she had spoken aloud when the captain and baroness turned to her in unison.

The set of Lady Needham’s jaw was sharp enough to cut stone. “What about it, Miss Luna?”

Darting her gaze to Captain Dawson, Isabel found him staring at her with his brows raised. He was as surprised by her interjection as she was.

Pressing her lips together for a second, Isabel finally said, “Your bodice is trimmed with Spanish lace, ma’am.”

“And?” the baroness demanded.

“And, my dear lady, that means it was made in Spain,” the captain said with a teasing grin.

Lady Needham brought a hand up to her bodice, her gloved fingers fidgeting with the lace border.

“Do you like pineapples?” Isabel asked.

“They’re divine, are they not?” The baroness sniffed, directing her attention to Dawson. “My grandmother told me her parents rented a pineapple for a grand ball they hosted when her older brother announced his engagement. Can you imagine?”

Yes, Isabel could. Meeting Captain Dawson’s exasperated gaze, she realized he could as well.

“Well, pineapples were imported to England. As were”—Isabel tapped her fingers as she listed—“sugar, tea, potatoes, silk, cotton, tobacco, and many, many more items.”

“What an interesting little lesson.” Lady Needham flashed her a terrible look. “Interesting and pointless.”

“Not pointless at all, your ladyship.” Captain Dawson pulled his timepiece from his pocket and considered it for a second, his mien bored, before he snapped it closed again. “You claimed there was no point in traveling when London is the center of the world, so Miss Luna shared all the ways the world has made life in London better.”

“Yes, because the British know how to trade.” The baroness twirled her parasol. “Even barbarians know how to trade.”

Isabel would have ignored the remark had Lady Needham not slid a glance to her as she said it. Stomping down the anger that threatened to cloud her vision, Isabel forced herself to ponder what Gabby would do if she had been dealt such a slight. No doubt her younger sister would have immediately responded with a sharp retort that would have the baroness scarlet with embarrassment.

But Isabel did not possess Gabby’s quick mind, so instead she calmed her temper and ventured, “Trade is always a good thing, but only when it’s conducted for the benefit of both parties. It seems to me that the British Empire is not so much engaged in trade as they are in exploitation. They use their might to take what they want by force, often at the detriment of those they have stolen from.”

The baroness spread her palms. “Perhaps some people do not understand the resources they possess and require a strong hand to guide them.”

A strong hand to guide them? Isabel clenched her teeth so tightly her jaw throbbed. Thankfully Lady Needham appeared not to have noticed how her words affected her, for the baroness’s attention was fixed on Captain Dawson…whose piercing gaze ensnared Isabel’s. For a passing moment it seemed as if he shared her frustration, and Isabel sucked in a breath at the sharp pinch under her ribs.

“Have a care. You wander down dangerous paths.” Captain Dawson’s tone was light, but his gaze was hard as he stared at Lady Needham. After a tense pause, he changed the subject. “Now if you ever were to travel, my lady, I believe you would enjoy visiting India. An enchanting country with rich, delicious foods, lush textiles and spices, and a fascinating history.”

“It’s quite hot in India, I’ve heard.” The baroness shuddered. “I’m certain I would not like that.”

“It can be quite humid, especially during the summer months.” The captain looked to Isabel then. “Mexico enjoys warmer temperatures, too, does it not? It must have been quite an adjustment when you arrived in London—”

“Yes, but I imagine Miss Luna is better built for the heat,” Lady Needham interrupted with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Isabel went still. Built for the heat? Whatever did that mean? She opened her mouth to ask the baroness, certain the answer would not be at all friendly, when the captain interjected.

“Considering Miss Luna has spent the majority of her life in more temperate weather, she is probably used to the heat a bit more than a pampered English baroness.” When Lady Needham smacked his shoulder with her fan, he chuckled. “What offends you, my lady? That I called you pampered? Well, are you not?”