A Mistletoe Match For The White Duchess (Historical Regency Romance)

by Patricia Haverton

  Jonathan grinned and walked with Isolde toward the back of the store, where an array of cravats was on display.

  “She is taking the opportunity to spend time with your brother, just as I take the opportunity to spend time with you.”

  He glanced around at their friends who were still engaged in conversation, and then looked the other way to ensure the store was empty. Then, before Isolde knew what was happening to her, he took a hold of her hand, entwining his fingers with hers.

  “I cannot express how much I longed to see you, Isolde. The past two days have been excessively slow to pass.”

  She blushed and tilted her head to one side as she looked at him.

  “I have felt the same.” She tightened her fingers around his and found herself lost in his blue eyes when, from across the room she heard a voice call out. At once, she let go of his hand, and he spun around in as casual a manner as possible, clearly in hopes of hiding their interaction.

  “Isolde! We need your wisdom! Which handkerchief for Missus Maud? The roses or the…whatever this design is?” Eric waved two different pieces of cloth in their direction.

  “They are carnations! Clearly. It is plain to see. Now, do not bother Isolde, she is occupied assisting another hapless man in conducting proper shopping.” Olivia scolded Eric, but it was plain for all to see that she was not serious but rather engaging in a bit of harmless flirtation.

  “Did you hear, Your Grace? We are hapless and do not know our way around a shop. By Jove, our servants are fortunate we have these fair ladies to save us from accidentally buying the wrong shade fabric. My, Christmastide in its entirety shall be ruined if we purchase primrose instead of evening primrose.”

  He laughed out loud, causing Olivia to poke him with one finger in his side.

  “You are impossible.” She turned to Isolde. “Izzy, you are fortunate to have paired up with the only respectable gentleman in our party, for I am stuck with two who’d rather play billiards at Rover’s than help me.”

  “Bad form, Sister!” Thomas exclaimed. “In any case, Ekhard would rather play billiards too. He’s just better at keeping his true feelings and intentions under wraps. What say you, Ekhard? Billiards or shopping?”

  He was about to open his mouth when Olivia spoke up once more.

  “The sooner the two of you focus on the task at hand, the sooner you will be finished.”

  With that, Eric and Thomas turned their attention back to the ever-important handkerchief selection, leaving Isolde and Jonathan to their own devices.

  “Where were we? Ah yes, the cravat for Hastings.” He grinned at Isolde. Upon seeing her face, he frowned. “Are you quite all right? You appear troubled.”

  Isolde swallowed hard and shook her head. “I am quite well. Simply fatigued. I have not slept well.”

  In truth, Thomas’ comment regarding Jonathan’s true desire had stung her and stirred up her ever-present insecurities. Did he truly want to spend time with her or was it an obligation? And in any case, why had he not brought up the matter of Mister Downey?

  Could Thomas be right? Is he only biding his time? No. Surely not. This entire outing was his idea after all. Oh, or am I making a cake out of myself, after all? Why am I so uncertain? Olivia is right, he has done nothing to make me doubt his feelings and intentions are real. But then again, how comes he has not mentioned what he intends to do about Mister Downey. Why not?

  “I am sorry you have not rested well. Perhaps a nap this afternoon will restore you. “

  “Perhaps,” Isolde said and found herself flicking through the various cravats. Her enthusiasm had entirely gone, something which did not go unnoticed.

  “Isolde, you appear rather bothered.” He thought for a moment and looked back at the other members of their group when suddenly, his face lit up with understanding.

  “Oh, my dearest. I hope you know Thomas only spoke in jest. Both your brother and I could not wait to spend the afternoon with you and Miss Brown.”

  She shrugged, upset at herself for allowing such dark thoughts to enter her mind once more.

  “Isolde…” he touched her elbow to raise her attention. The sudden touch sent a shock through her body and she found herself stumbling back a step.

  Catching herself, she faced him. “I am sorry, Jonathan. The quandary with Mister Downey has rather upset me. I have felt myself drawn back to the timid, quiet girl you first met, despite my best intentions.”

  He sighed. “I understand.”

  “I do want to assure you; I have taken steps to remedy the situation regarding Mister Downey. I shall let you know as soon as I make progress. Have you been able to speak to your Father regarding moving the date of your final decision from Twelfth Night?”

  Isolde sighed. “I spoke to him yesterday. He was not receptive and grew rather irritable. I shall attempt to speak with him again for I do not wish this courtship to move ahead.”

  “Neither do I, my dear. We shall persevere, I promise you.”

  Isolde smiled at him. How she hoped he was right. Marrying the old man was a nightmare. She caught a glimpse of her friend Olivia, standing with her brother and saw how they gazed at one another when they thought no one was looking. A sigh escaped her, alerting Jonathan to the scene.

  “It is rather a shame that we do not have free choice of whom we wish to wed,” he said.

  “It is. Given your position, you have more freedom than any of us, certainly more freedom than any of us ladies.”

  He focused his attention on her once more.

  “And yet, I am unable to even court the one I wish, for the rules of our society have gotten in the way much faster than I had anticipated.”

  Isolde could not help but lock eyes with him once more. She longed to kiss him again, to feel his touch. The brief moment they had locked hands earlier had ignited the desire to be near him and she could tell from the way he looked at her that he felt the same way.

  Their quiet moment was once again interrupted when their friends crossed the rooms, all but finished with their shopping.

  “Ekhard, have you quite decided? You have been fretting over this cravat for an eternity,” Eric said.

  “I have, Gordon. I still must make another small purchase, for Hastings’ wife.”

  Thomas and Eric both rolled their eyes.

  “Ekhard, you are too selective. Simple purchase a piece of cloth and let the lady make her own, it is what Eric and I have done for some of the servants. We must make our way to Rover’s, there will be quite a gathering there and I must make back some of the money I have just spent by way of a wager or ten!” Thomas laughed and slapped him on the shoulder.

  “It is quite all right, Your Grace. Miss Brown and I can select a nice item for Missus Hastings on your behalf.” She paused, an idea popping into her head. “His Grace could collect the item from Roselawn.”

  He smiled and gave her a nod.

  “A splendid idea. I shall trust your good judgment. I shall be at Roselawn in the morrow for a ride with your brother, I shall collect it then. Say!” He snapped his fingers as if an idea had just come into his mind.

  “Gordon, why do we not all go on our ride together in the morrow? It would be such fun to go riding as a group, what say you?”

  “I say you are full of wonderful ideas, Ekhard. Thomas? Miss Brown? Will you join us?”

  The siblings exchanged a glance and Olivia sighed, a dark shadow rushing over her fair face.

  “I would like nothing better, but my Mother has invited Lord Canterbury for tea tomorrow afternoon and both Thomas and I are expected.”

  “By Jove, I would much rather be anywhere but at tea with Lord Pompous. Oh Sister, why ever did you attract that rake’s attention?”

  Olivia crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I did nothing. I simply danced with the man.”

  “Sometimes that is enough for a man to grow enamored of a fair lady,” Isolde heard the heaviness in her brother’s voice, even though she knew others would not. He could
conceal his feelings and thoughts from most other people, but she could read him like an open book. She had been able to ever since they were children.

  “I should like it if the good Lord Canterbury would move his attentions and affections elsewhere. I do happen to know a charming red-head that is in need of a husband and would like nothing more than to be courted by one Lord Canterbury.” Olivia pressed her lips together.

  “If only it were as easy as that, Olivia,” Isolde squeezed her friend’s elbow.

  A sullenness descended upon the group, erasing the jolly mood that had reigned among them just moments ago. Oh, how Isolde disliked the constrictions of their society sometimes. Everyone in the group was miserable due to impending courtships that were either forced upon them or denied them.

  Once again, it was Jonathan who broke the silence and cut through the dreariness.

  “I am sorry you will not be able to come riding with us, but perhaps Gordon and I might still go, along with Miss Gordon. Then the five of us can re-convene later this week. Perhaps Miss Henrietta can join our merry group to make it complete.”

  He faced Eric for it was up to him to decide if Isolde could join them for the ride or not. She could not very well invite herself. Eric shrugged, utterly dejected now as it had to dawn on him that a meeting with Lord Canterbury meant a courtship between him and Olivia was imminent, no matter what her thoughts on the matter were.

  “I suppose the air may do us all good. Isolde, if you like you may join us.”

  She snuck a glance at Jonathan who winked at her.

  “Excellent, I shall enjoy seeing your riding skills for the first time after all these years, Miss Gordon.”

  Isolde had to suppress a smile, for of course the Duke had already seen her ride, but no one but the two of them–and Olivia knew this.

  “It shall be quite the excitement, Your Grace!”

  The group exited the establishment together and the young men bid their farewells to the ladies. Isolde watched as the three of them crossed the street together and made their way back to the carriage. Once they were out of view, she linked her arm with Olivia, who still carried a sullen expression upon her face.

  “Come, let us visit the fabric shop and then return home. Perhaps we can indulge in some dry cake? We shall not tell your Mother, of course.”

  “Never! In Mother’s view dry cake is a bigger danger to the English lady than Napoleon’s forces!”

  The two giggled as they walked and Isolde felt her mood lift. She was with her best friend and tomorrow she would once again get to spend time with Jonathan, supervised by her brother of course, but still.

  She was entirely content in her merriment when a voice called out from behind her.

  “Isolde!” she recognized it at once as the voice of her father. Most days, the sound of his voice caused her great happiness for she did not get to spend a lot of time with him. However, ever since the revelation of his plans with Mister Downey, she dreaded seeing her father, as she did now.

  “Isolde, Miss Brown! Wait up!” her father called out. She could tell he was hastening along the sidewalk by the way his voice strained as he spoke. She turned around and immediately found her breath catch in her throat.

  There, beside her father walked none other than her intended future-husband, Mister Downey, smiling at her as though he had won the grand price at the fair.

  Chapter 18

  Jonathan arrived at Roselawn Manor early the following afternoon, his heart already full of anticipation at seeing Isolde again. He had hoped to have received news from Hastings, but the old man had not been in touch since departing for Bath.

  I know I am impatient, it has been a mere three days, though I wish to resolve the matter of the betrothal so I can approach the Viscount myself and voice my intentions to make his daughter my wife. My wife! By Jove, who would ever have thought that I would consider a thing such as marriage, and marriage for love?

  Love? Had he just thought of himself as being in love? Jonathan hadn’t felt that way about anyone before but yes, he had to admit it was what he felt. His heart warmed whenever he was near her, his stomach was aflutter and each day she was the first thing on his mind. And the more time he spent with her, the more he felt it. Her consideration of others, her loyalty to her friends, her love of creatures big and small, all of it endeared her to him even more.

  “Your Grace!” He heard her before he saw her, standing at the stable door with a brown mare by her side. She was dressed in a simple but charming riding outfit.

  “Miss Gordon,” he bowed his head to her, aware that they were in public, and jumped off his horse. “Allow me to assist you,” he said as he approached her.

  “Oh, there is no need, the stable boy can….”

  “Nonsense, I am already here, am I not?” Jonathan said with a grin on his face. He’d already bowed down and cupped his hands in order to lift her up onto the horse.

  She placed one foot into his gloved hand and he pushed her up as she placed one small hand on his shoulder.

  “Don’t we have staff for that sort of thing?” Eric asked when he exited the stable behind them.

  “We certainly do but the Duke, being the gentleman he is, assisted before the stable boy could. Now, Brother, are you quite finished with your witty observations?”

  “I certainly am, Isolde. Now, Ekhard, what do you say? Is Jora ready for a ride through the woods?”

  Jonathan returned to his horse and mounted the mare in one swift motion. Jora was a tall horse, taller than most English-bred horses and he tended to tower above others when he rode her. Isolde’s mare was compact and older, as evident by the graying around the muzzle.

  As the three of them set out for the ride Eric led the way. His horse, a beautiful white stallion, appeared young and temperamental as he trotted ahead of Jonathan and Isolde.

  The weather was freezing cold though the cold was not as biting as it had been in the past few days. The snow had begun to melt, causing the ground to be soggy and muddy. Despite the warmer weather, Jonathan could feel the cold in his fingertips that poked out at the end of his fingerless mittens.

  “It is such a lovely day for a ride, Your Grace. Thank you for inviting me to come along.” Isolde rode alongside him as they made their way into the forest.

  “Indeed, it was a splendid idea.” Eric agreed as he bent down to avoid a long hanging tree branch from hitting him in the face. It snapped back and nearly hit his sister. Jonathan was able to catch it just in time.

  “Thank you, Your Grace. As you can see, I am not used to gentlemanly behavior.” She did not look at Jonathan but kept her eyes peeled at her brother’s head, who was entirely oblivious to the exchange. Jonathan leaned in closer and lowered his voice.

  “It is why I am here, to restore your faith in my species.”

  She giggled, causing Jonathan to break into a wide smile. He so enjoyed when she was happy.

  “Just a shame that Thomas and his Sister could not join us,” Jonathan said. “And what of Miss Henrietta? Did she not wish to join?”

  Eric snorted. The trees had spread out enough to where all three could ride alongside each other and Eric slowed his horse to allow his companions to catch up.

  “My Cousin does not ride. She is not one for physical activity short of taking a walk in the park or dancing at a ball. The only way Henrietta will come anywhere near a horse is by way of a carriage. Your Grace would see pigs fly before you’d see Henrietta on a horse.”

  Jonathan smirked, his friend’s dislike for his cousin was very evident in his voice.

  “I do not recall Gordon, what caused you to harbor such dislike for your Cousin?”

  Eric’s replied, his brown hair waving in the breeze, “I do not harbor dislike for Henrietta. Nor do I harbor a great deal of affection for her. She is simply a slight annoyance. Rather like a fly on a summer’s day, always buzzing around one’s head when one simply wants to enjoy the breeze.”

  “It has been a dislike from the mo
ment Henrietta was born, Your Grace. My memories of Eric and Etta are exclusively of them arguing about one thing or another. Toys, the affection of our parents, sweets. I must say, their fighting over the best piece of marzipan always worked in my favor for I usually was able to sneak it while they were in the midst of their argument!”

  “Bad form, Sister!” Eric exclaimed. “That was how the best pieces always disappeared. You are a sneaky one, aren’t you? I shall have to warn Mister Downey as to the wife he is about to take.” Eric laughed at his own joke, though Jonathan saw the smile fall right off of Isolde’s face.

  A darkness overtook her, leaving nothing of the merry girl he’d ridden besides just moments ago.