Olivia had always been the smartest and most cunning of the three. They would have a chance to talk properly without the interruption of their chaperones. As they stood, Henrietta also rose, expecting to join them.
“You look rather exhausted, Etta. Perhaps you should rest before the cotillion. I shall be glad to bring you a marzipan or a piece of dry cake, if you like?
Isolde saw her cousin’s face darken. She didn’t like being told what to do but she was not in a position to protest. Even though the girls considered themselves equals when in their own company, in the order of precedence both Olivia and Isolde, as daughters of Viscounts, outranked Henrietta.
Knowing her place, Henrietta sat back down. “I am quite all right, thank you.” She had a glare upon her face that would have felled ten thousand men in battle with its venom.
Olivia, unaware or unconcerned about the matter, linked her arm with Isolde’s and together they headed out toward the supper room.
* * *
“Faith, I cannot believe it was him! Your mysterious savior turns out to be none other than the Duke of Ekhard whom we’ve known all our lives! Who could have known?!”
“I thought I would faint on the spot when I saw him. Oh, Olivia, knowing who he is has made me even more in awe of him.”
Her friend grinned wide. “I can see it in your eyes. Izzy, could not believe it when I saw you on the dance floor! I had forgotten what a glorious dancer you are! And the Duke! I dare say he was completely enamored with you. He did not pay attention to anybody but you throughout the entire dance!”
Isolde blushed. “Please, do not jest, Olivia. I had the strangest feeling in my stomach, so warm and comfortable. And I did not fret at all that I might not be pretty enough or interesting enough. I have not conversed with any man with such ease as I have with him.”
Olivia petted her arm. “I do not jest. I am not the only one who saw it. And you must’ve made quite an impression on him for he has asked you to dance again.”
“He has, can you believe it? I, Isolde Gordon, have been asked to dance not just one dance with a lord but two, perhaps three!”
“Three?” Instantly, Olivia’s eyes narrowed.
“Yes, he has mentioned he would like to dance the boulanger, if we are still here for the dance.”
“Oh, do be careful. Dancing more than two dances with one gentleman may put your reputation in danger and make him think the wrong thing.”
The wrong thing? What could he be thinking? Certainly, he only wishes to dance with me because he is comfortable with me, as we have known each other since our childhood days. Surely, he does not feel the same warmth in his belly as I feel for him…not after seeing the miserable creature I was that night. Or could he?
Olivia was right, of course, that dancing more than two dances may put your reputation in danger. Her reputation was of one who would be a spinster in no time, and what was the danger in putting that reputation at risk?
She felt rather happy at the thought of being the object of envy and curiosity rather than pity for once. With a smile, she joined Olivia in partaking in the sweets presented.
She was about to indulge in a piece of cake when she saw the Duke walk past her. He was accompanied by Eric and Olivia’s brother, Mr. Brown. The group was making their way into the cards room, no doubt to play whist. A tingle of worry spread in Isolde’s belly. The cotillion would be called in less than half an hour. What if he forgot? Surely her brother would not allow this to happen. Yet, men were known to forget the time when they enjoyed themselves with their friends.
“Izzy, do not fret. I see it in the way your eyebrow sinks whenever you have a bad thought about yourself. Come, let us join our table. I am quite sated. Oh, and should my Mother ask…”
“You only indulged in a piece of bread with a hint of butter, and only because you were near utter collapse!”
They both knew that Lady Conner lived in utter fear for Olivia’s figure, always sure to monitor every morsel she ate, lest her waist should increase even the slightest. The girls giggled as they made their way back to the table.
* * *
A quarter of an hour had passed since she and Olivia had taken their seats at her father’s table. Henrietta had departed shortly after their return and joined two young ladies she knew from the London Season. The way she had looked at Olivia upon departure made it clear she was rather cross with her for cutting her out of the conversation earlier.
Across from her, Lady Conner and Lady Buxby were busy discussing the Duke’s social status.
“I heard he is worth 15,000 a year!” Lady Conner told the Countess.
“Indeed, I venture to think he would be worth even more had the family not gotten rid of the sugar plantation. What a foolish thing to do!”
The old lady shook her head. Lady Conner did not reply. Isolde briefly caught her eye. It was clear Lady Conner was uncomfortable. And to no surprise. Lady Conner happened to be a strong opponent of English-owned sugar plantations. In fact, at her home she proudly displayed a blue and gold sugar bowl from the East India Company proclaiming in large letters that the sugar contained within was from India, produced without slave labor.
Given that Lady Buxby was currently on an extended visit to Vilene House, Isolde suspected the sugar bowl was securely locked away along with the sugar and tea, only to be seen again once the visitor departed. Ever aware of her place in the precedence, Lady Conner said nothing while Lady Buxby ranted at length about the silliness of opposing West Indies plantations.
At last, Lady Conner employed her best diplomacy and changed the subject to the one matter she knew Lady Buxby was interested in more so than any other.
“The Duke must be looking for a wife. Yes, indeed, he must, I declare! He needs an heir for he has no male relatives and certainly he can’t want the title to return to the Crown upon his death.”
“Certainly not!” Lady Buxby gasped. “It would be a tragedy. Now, dear Cousin, it is only fortunate that…”
Her eyes fell on Isolde.
“My dear, see what you can find out about the young Duke’s intentions regarding a wife. You know him well, he may confide in you.”
Isolde frowned. It bothered her that Lady Buxby seemed to assume that the Duke had to be interested in her solely for their past connection. Truthfully, she assumed the same but still. She was a young, eligible woman of the ton, why could she not be considered as anything but a friend?
At long last, the Master of Ceremonies appeared again and announced the cotillion.
“Olivia, why don’t you take a turn? There is still time to find a dance partner.” Lady Conner’s voice carried an urgency that seemed to amuse Olivia.
“Now, now, Lady Conner, it is no great tragedy to miss one dance. You said it yourself, once Lord Canterbury returns, Miss Brown shall not want for a dance partner.” Isolde’s father said, coming to her friend’s rescue. He squeezed Isolde’s hand briefly.
“You go on now, Isolde. Miss Brown and I shall have a grand time watching you dance.”
Isolde rose, scanning the room for the Duke. He had not yet appeared among the group of dancers and her heart beat faster. What if he had indeed forgotten? She would be utterly humiliated if he did not appear in time for the dance.
Already, the musicians were gathering and couples lined up in formation. She was about to turn on her heels and run out into the freezing cold night to escape from the disappointment when she saw him. He rushed around the corner, looking as though he was being chased by a wild animal. He locked eyes with her and she saw his face relax.
“Your Grace, I had feared you’d left me wanting for a dance partner.”
He grinned widely, his blue eyes sparkling.
“I would never do that to you, Miss Gordon. In any case, you know far too many of my childhood misdeeds that you could use against me for me to ever upset you.”
They smiled at one another with ease, locking eyes the way she had never done with anyone before. She felt the ting
le in her tummy again and this time it rushed throughout her body, as though in a fever.
Their moment was rudely interrupted by her brother, who, spotting Olivia still seated, nodded toward her with his chin.
“Is Miss Brown not dancing?”
“She has proclaimed herself fatigued of dancing. I believe the right dance partner could restore her post haste. Perhaps you could …”
She could not finish her sentence for her brother had already made it halfway across the room. She watched as he stopped in front of Olivia and asked her to dance. Instantly, her friend’s face lit up and she rose. As they made their way to join the other couples, her brother flashed a wide grin toward Isolde.
“You would make quite the accomplished matchmaker indeed, Miss Gordon,” the Duke said.
“I know Your Grace means it in jest, but I believe I could. The Countess Buxby has been a wonderful teacher, for she has bestowed on me such a vast knowledge of every member of the ton. All by virtue of her gossip.”
“Entirely free of charge!” the Duke agreed. “We shall open a business together, what do you say, Miss Gordon? I supply the nobles, you supply the knowledge via the Countess and we shall make a quick bundle in no time at all.”
“What a wonderful idea. But we must be careful that the Countess does not catch wind of it, for she will want her fair share. Or she shall want to go into business with us.”
The Duke opened his eyes wide in mock horror. “Not that! Anything but that! Perhaps we shall abandon the idea entirely and concentrate on dancing for now.”
“Your Grace, you are full of wonderful ideas.” Isolde smiled at him as the music began and they joined the other couples on the dance floor for their second dance of the night.
Chapter 10
The strangest feeling overtook Jonathan. He felt light on his feet. The moves came to him with an ease he had not experienced before. Usually, he stepped on his partner’s feet at least once or twice during any given dance, but that was not the case with Miss Gordon.
Perhaps he was simply so engaged in conversation with her that he did not fret over his footwork as was usual for him. He found conversing with her a joy and time passed faster than he would have liked.
“Has Your Grace settled back into life in England, after such a long time away?” He noticed how soft her tone was, almost ethereal. He found it calmed him to listen to her speak. He could imagine relaxing by a roaring fire after a long day, with her sitting close by and soothing him with that lovely voice.
“It has been a challenge, I must admit. Much has changed and yet nothing has changed, if you understand my meaning.”
She gave him a nod and pinched her mouth in thought before speaking again.
“I suppose our way of life has been the same for so long that change is slow to come. Yet, we as a people change much.” She paused. “It must have been difficult returning here, knowing that the life you were to return to was so different from the one you left behind.”
He sighed. “Indeed. When I departed, I never imagined I would be gone so long. Considering the distance, I had anticipated perhaps two years for the entirety. I certainly never imagined I would return as Duke of Ekhard, no matter how long the journey. Given that I was the younger son, I had considered joining the military by way of making a name for myself.”
They twirled and followed the steps of the dance. Her dress swung beautifully to the music, hinting at her lovely shape beneath the layers of fabric.
“I do not mean to pry, but what caused you to be gone so long?” Isolde met his eyes, something that only hours ago she had not dared to do. She had looked away each time he’d so much as glanced at her. Perhaps she was growing as comfortable with him as he with her.
“There were complications. My Father sent me to the Caribbean to oversee the sale of our plantation and to relocate my Mother, who resided at the house on the plantation.”
“I recall there being a lot of chatter about the Duchess’ ill health which caused her to live on Saint Domingue. I will say many a lady seemed to wish for some kind of ailment that required constant sun and sea air, rather than leeches and laudanum!”
Jonathan snorted in a rather ungentlemanly fashion.
“Zooks. The old lie again. I am certain you have figured out for yourself there was nothing the matter with my Mother’s health. The truth is, my parents were ill matched from the start. The product of unfortunate matchmakers, by way of their parents. My Mother is an outgoing and carefree character, whereas my Father was timid and measured in all he did. He dampened her spirit; she caused him to act recklessly. Theirs was not a case of opposites attracting.”
“Your Grace does not need to feel obliged to share so many personal details with me. I would not expect His Grace to wish to share so many details with a stranger.”
Stranger? She is right. We never were close friends given the age difference and her being a mere child when last we saw one another. Yet I feel as though I know her. Have known her. I feel more comfortable with her than with anyone I met before.
“We are strangers in the flesh, but not in the spirit. Wouldn’t you say, Miss Gordon?”
She blushed and he felt her moving away slightly, as much as the dancing would allow. Had he been too forward?
“Forgive me, dear Miss Gordon. It was not my intention to embarrass you.”
She shook her head as some brown strands of hair came loose from the top of her head.
“It is quite all right, Your Grace. I am simply unaccustomed to such intimate conversation with one I have not seen in so long. As you may have gathered, I am not like my brother who enjoys being at the heart of every party. I keep only a few close friends, thus conversing with people I do not know well vexes me somewhat.” After a pause she looked at him wide eyed. “That is not to say I do not enjoy it! I do!”
He grinned at her, exposing his sparkling teeth.
“I simply adore talking with you. I feel quite comfortable telling you the truth about my family. I am rather taken aback that you do not already know it, given that Eric knows every detail of my family’s entanglements and plights.”
“Eric would never divulge Your Grace’s affairs to anyone. Including myself. And neither would I.”
Hearing this touched Jonathan greatly. Eric had been his closest friend since they were mere toddlers. In addition to their close proximity and their fathers’ association, their mothers had been like sisters, causing a tight friendship between himself and Eric from an early age. Hearing that he’d always kept his confidence inspired a warm feeling of affection in him.
“The mark of true loyalty,” he said as they took another turn around the dance floor.
“Indeed,” she replied and let go of him, for it was at the stage of the dance were the figures called for the ladies to twirl in the middle of the dance floor before rejoining their partners.
When they clasped hands again, he took the opportunity to set the conversation back to its original path.
“To answer your inquiry, the reason I was away so long was in part because in addition to the sale of the plantation, I was to assist my Mother in relocating her to Scotland, her native country. It proved a rather time intensive venture.”
“The sale or the relocation?”
He smirked at her, “The sale was as easy as a Cyprian at St. Giles. It was the relocation of my Mother. The Duchess simply refused to move, and held out for nearly a year before she would agree to leave. Then it took one additional year for the preparations. All in all, I spent two-and-one-half years in Saint Domingue. Then my Mother insisted we spend another six months in the New World for the purpose of exploration.”
Isolde’s eyes grew wide. “Faith, you surely have seen the entire world. I should love to travel and see the world and experience how other people live.” Her smile faded and a sadness set across her face. “But it shall never happen.”
He tilted his head in order to see her better. “It may. You thought you would never learn to ride, and
now look at you. A proper equestrian you are!”
This made her laugh. “Your Grace has not seen me on a horse in years.”
“Then that is something we must change. I intend to spend much of my time with Eric and Thomas now that I have returned, so I am certain to see you ride. I am rather interested in seeing the stallion of Prinny’s that your Father acquired.”
“He is a beauty! I have named him Princely, as I felt it befitting for a horse that belonged to the Regent. I shall be happy to show him to you when you call on my brother, Your Grace.”
The two took another turn and then, to Jonathan’s disappointment, the dance ended.
“Thank you for the dance, Miss Gordon.” He bowed and she replied with a curtsy and a smile. “And I would gladly have you show me your Princely at the next opportunity.”
A Mistletoe Match For The White Duchess (Historical Regency Romance) Page 8