by Tia Siren
“My brother was quite bold with him.” The Duke interrupted her, putting one hand up in the air. “I am sure you know of his affection for you. Affection is the word he uses, but it is not my word for what he feels for you.”
“What word would you use?”
He thought for a moment. “Obsession comes to mind. Property also comes to mind. I have no doubt that he thinks of you as his property, simply because he wants you.”
Isabeau clenched her jaw, trying not to look as angry as she felt. She kept her eyes averted from the Duke, not wanting to offend him.
“You need not try to hide your disdain for my brother.” The Duke easily saw her feelings and leaned forward to speak in a softer voice. “Jonathan Barnaby is a good man, but he has been taken by women in the past because he is such a wealthy man. He is very sensitive when it comes to that issue.”
“I would never say…”
“This being your first season, he doesn’t know you very well. When you danced with him on the terrace, Tomas became very jealous. I regret that I didn’t say something about it then and stop the progression of his betrayal.”
“There is no chance now that Earl Barnaby would ever consider me, not after being told such vile things about me.”
“I have come to know Jonathan as a very forgiving and trusting man. But I have a different proposal.”
Isabeau tilted her head, looking at him. “Please tell me what it is.”
“I understand how devastating being humiliated at the dance was last night. I would like to propose a courtship anyway, except between you and I, rather than you and my brother.”
Isabeau thought she might be sick for a moment. Her headache returned with full force. If it wasn’t one brother trying to force her into something, it was the other. She closed her eyes and prayed that her face would not betray her thoughts.
“I…I would have to think about it.”
“It would help you to save face in society, as well as give you some status. You will be well regarded if you were to become my Duchess.”
Titles didn’t interest her. She wanted love. She blinked a few times, trying not to look directly at him. “Will…will you give me time to think about your proposal?”
“Yes, of course. I do hope you will consider it. When you come to a decision, please let me know so that I may talk to your father.”
“Yes, I will do that. I will send a messenger around to you…tomorrow, if you agree?”
The Duke smiled at her. She admitted to herself that his smile was completely genuine, and his eyes were kind. He didn’t seem to be manipulating her, but she couldn’t believe that he was asking her out of his own affection. He was trying to do an honorable thing for a woman his brother had betrayed and lied about. She felt like a rag doll being thrown between two brothers.
He said goodbye and left her to her thoughts. She didn’t have to wait long for a distraction because Anne was soon hurrying across the huge front lawn. Isabeau spotted her through the window and ran out to greet her.
They hugged and walked to a table and chairs that sat outside the front door.
“How have you been feeling today, Izzie? You look like you didn’t get any sleep at all.”
“I didn’t. And I woke up with a headache. I didn’t want to even get out of bed this morning.”
Anne nodded. “I have been out talking to some of the ladies. They all say that Duke Hurley is going around town apologizing for his brother. Has he come to see you?”
“He did, yes.”
“Well, then you were worried for nothing. Did he apologize for what Lord Hurley said?”
“Yes, he did.”
“That’s wonderful! You don’t have to worry about this little thing disrupting your father’s business with the Duke.”
“He was here for another reason, as well.”
Anne lifted her eyebrows. “Oh? What was that?”
“He wishes to marry me.”
Anne sat back, a look of surprise on her face. “He does? Has he ever shown any great affection toward you?”
“He has never been unkind.”
“But he has never approached you or spoken to you about it at the dances this Season?”
“No.”
Anne was quiet for a moment. “Could you have missed the signs?”
Isabeau pressed her lips together. She thought back to when they had danced together and when he had visited to speak to her father. “I suppose I could have. He…does have a particular way of looking at me. And he always smiles. But many gentlemen father does business with are that way. They are not all suitors.”
“Perhaps other men have looked at you the same way,” Anne said. “But Edward has not looked at other women that way.”
Isabeau hadn’t thought of that. She pictured Edward’s smile in her mind, the way it reached his eyes, how genuine he seemed.
“You should talk to your mother and father. He may have mentioned this to your father before, in passing, in a subtle way that made your father not mention it to you.”
“Perhaps.” Isabeau was thoughtful. Her initial response had been one of anger. She didn’t want to be forced into a marriage with any man. But when she thought about Duke Hurley, it didn’t seem like there would be much force needed.
“Do you think you could love the Duke?”
“Oh yes, I believe I could,” Isabeau stated without hesitation. She smiled. “I do believe I could.”
“You should speak to your father, then. Get his advice. He knows Edward from their business dealings. Surely he would have the best opinion.”
“The Duke is very well liked in the town, you know. He has used his status to help people less fortunate than him.”
“I know. I would not want to be considered a charity case.”
“Oh, I don’t think that’s what is happening at all, Izzie! He wouldn’t consider the daughter of one of his friends to be a charity case. It isn’t as if you need his money. That’s why it was so surprising that Earl Barnaby would think you did.”
“I don’t think the Earl knows much about me, Anne. We didn’t talk enough for him to know my family. And he’s never visited here.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it for another moment, then, Izzie. You should consider The Duke’s proposal. It would be good for you. And you would have what you wanted. You would be marrying a man you can love instead of for social status. The Duke become so popular by being a rake. He is a genuinely good man with few obvious flaws. And he is a good-looking man, which means you would have beautiful children together.”
Isabeau flushed. “My goodness, Anne, you have thought into my future quite a lot.”
They both laughed.
“I am glad to see you are feeling a little better, Izzie. You have been under too much stress since last night.”
“It didn’t start last night,” Isabeau responded. “I knew that Lord Thomas was interested in me, but I never thought he would become so demanding and forceful.”
“This was our first season. I expect he thought you would just refrain from dancing with anyone but him.”
Isabeau shook her head. “That would make him truly delusional, Anne. I have never given him any reason to think such a thing.”
“Yes, I know. The whole thing is very surprising to me. It’s amazing how things can change so quickly. Yesterday, you were still waiting for a suitor, and now you have a Duke and his brother fighting over you.”
“I certainly hope they do not fight over me.”
“It was just a turn of phrase. I don’t think they will need to fight. The Duke is in control.”
“It’s a good thing.”
“Yes, it definitely is.”
Chapter Four
With her parent’s permission, Isabeau decided to skip out on the dance Friday night. She had been looking forward to it, as it was a masquerade ball, her favorite during the entire Season. But she wasn’t up to facing the Lords and Ladies, so she stayed at home and played cards with her mother.
She was interested to hear what Anne had to say about the masquerade ball and didn’t feel bad about not going.
She had not mentioned the Duke’s proposal to her parents yet. She had been thinking about it for a few days. She was waiting for her father to come home so that she could speak to them together. Over the past 48 hours, she had reviewed nearly every encounter she could remember with the Duke, every time he had spoken to her and any occasion she could remember where she had heard something about him. She had searched her memory for something negative but had found nothing.
She concluded that Edward would be a good match for her. She was sure that she would be able to love him, if he was truly as genuine as he seemed.
It was late before her father came home. She found that she was unable to speak to him about Edward because when he came in the door, the Duke was with him. The Duke greeted her and her mother amiably.
“Good evening, ladies,” he said, bowing low. They lowered their heads in return and stood up. “No need to stand, please stay comfortable.”
“How are you this evening, your Grace?” Isabeau’s mother tried to keep her surprise at his entrance hidden but was unable to.
He smiled wide. “I see I have surprised you both. I do apologize. I noticed that Lady Isabeau did not come to the party tonight, and I wanted to check on her welfare. How are you feeling, Lady Isabeau?”
“I’m doing quite well, thank you, your Grace,” she responded.
“I do hope you didn’t stay away from the ball because of my brother.”
Isabeau chuckled. “Not entirely,” she replied.
The Duke nodded. “I do understand. Would you care to go for a walk with me? I realize it is somewhat late. We will stay close to the house.” The Duke smiled at Isabeau’s parents, who returned his smile warmly.
“I would be delighted.” She looked at her mother and gestured to their unfinished game. “Mother…”
“Go ahead, Isabeau. Your father can take your place, and I will just beat him instead.”
“I heard a challenge!” They all laughed when Lord Camm stepped over to take his daughter’s seat.
The Duke held out one hand, and Isabeau took it. His grip was warm and inviting, not at all like the forceful clutching of his brother.
Isabeau remembered to pick up a shawl as she went to the front door with the Duke. It was a bit cool in the evenings. She didn’t mind. The crisp air made her feel refreshed and alive. She breathed in deeply when she stepped through the doorway. The Duke held the door and passed through behind her, coming up to walk beside her down the pathway.
“I would like to apologize once again for my brother’s behavior at the last dance,” The Duke began. She was beginning to like the sound of his voice. He had a smooth tone and sounded confident and strong. She had no doubt that as his wife, she would be very protected. She looked up at him. The moonlight as so bright, she could see nearly every one of his features. There were no clouds in the sky. It was dotted with millions of bright stars that seemed to add to the light the moon was providing.
“It is a beautiful night,” she breathed. He looked up at the sky.
“Yes, it is.” He moved his eyes down to her and smiled. “You look very beautiful in this light.”
She felt her heart flutter in her chest. “Thank you,” she whispered. She couldn’t bring herself to tell him how handsome she thought he looked.
“I want you to know a few things before you say yes or no to my proposal, Isabeau. I want you to know that I have spoken with Jonathan Barnaby about the things my brother said to him. I made it clear to him that you are not that kind of woman. He was unaware that your family has money of its own and that they would never turn their backs on you. You are already provided for and do not need to seek out a man with money or status. You are not a commoner.” He lowered his voice. “And even if you were, you are a noble woman of heart and conviction. I have seen you with others and here when I have visited, and I find you to be a most pleasant person to be around.”
“I appreciate that you spoke to the Earl.” She did feel some relief, knowing that the Duke had stood up for her and dashed the lies of his brother.
“I want you to know that I spoke to him because you seemed to get along with him quite well at the dance. I don’t want you to think that I am trying to interfere in something you have already planned. If you are interested in the Earl…”
She interrupted him, lifting one hand to stop his words. “I had a wonderful dance with Earl Barnaby. It was very lovely. And he is a friendly, sociable man. However, he was ready to believe what your brother said about me. And even if he doesn’t believe him now, it does not change the fact that he did.”
“He has had trouble in the past with women who seek only his fortune or his power.”
Isabeau nodded. “Yes, I am aware. Unfortunately, this incident has tarnished that relationship beyond repair.”
“So you will not consider a courtship with the Earl, should he propose one?”
Isabeau shook her head. “No, I would not. Did he mention such a thing when you spoke to him?”
“His words were subtle, but I got that impression. I do not want to interfere where I am not wanted.”
“You have not. I am grateful that you have been speaking to everyone about this and clearing things up. I was afraid for my reputation. I was also afraid that you would be angry with me or my father because of the things your brother has said about me.”
“My brother and I are not very much alike. I sometimes wonder , if there could have been a mistake and we are not related. But alas, we have the same parents, and it must be accepted as a fact.”
His tone was very light hearted, and he smiled at her. She giggled. “It’s very sad, yes.”
“I do not wish to judge you or be judged by the actions of my brother.” Edward stopped walking and turned to face her. She glanced up at him. The shadows were casting dark shades over half of his face, but she could see he was still smiling. “There are more things I want to tell you before you go back inside.”
“I have time,” Isabeau said. “Shall we sit?”
They had approached a bench, and he nodded, gesturing for her to take a seat first. He sat so that he was on the edge of the bench, facing her at an angle. She pulled the shawl around her shoulders, feeling a cool breeze blow across her face.
“Are you cold? Should we go inside?” His voice was concerned. It made her feel warmer inside just hearing it.
“No, I will be fine. I like the cooler weather. It suits me.”
“I am the same way.” He looked up at the bright moon. “My favorite time of the year is spring, but late winter is also a blessing to me.”
“Did you have more to say, then, your Grace?” She encouraged him to continue, glancing up at him.
“Please, call me Edward.”
“Edward.”
“Do you think you could ever fall in love with me, Isabeau?”
She grinned, hiding it behind one hand. “You are so direct, your Grace. But I must admit that I would not have a problem with that.”
He chuckled. “You will have to learn not to call me ‘your Grace.'”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“I have to tell you; I did not just come upon this decision in the last few days. My feelings for you are not sudden though it may seem that way to you. I have been watching you with others at the balls all this Season, yes, but I noticed your grace and civility long ago.”
Isabeau’s heart was bursting, and she suddenly wished they were inside where she could see him better. The next second, she was glad they weren’t inside because he would be able to see how flushed her face was. When he continued, she felt a bit overwhelmed by the gentility in his voice. “You are a beautiful woman no doubt, but I see much more than that in you. You are kind to your friends, gentle with children and a help to those in need. I’ve never seen you in a disagreeable mood. Do you ever get in a disagreeable mood?”
His question seemed out o
f the blue and caught her a little off-guard.
“I…I’m sure that I sometimes do.” She had to laugh.
“Well, I’ve not seen it. I can’t imagine it would be that bad.”
“I’m not a shy person, but I am not abrasive either,” She said. “I do have my own thoughts and desires.”
He nodded. “Yes, I have seen that. I…wanted to tell you how impressed I was with how you handled my brother’s actions the other night, especially when the Earl confronted you. I have to think that if he had not met you on the floor that way, you may not have known what was said to him. It would have left him thinking of you the wrong way. I am glad we were able to set the record straight.”
“Yes. I am, too.”
“I began to think of you more frequently several months ago.”
“It has been months?”
“Yes, it has. I have been coming here on the guise of seeing your father but…” He gave her a small grin and bit his lip. “I was really coming to see you, to be closer to where you are.”
“Oh, Edward!” Her surprise sent pleasant waves through her. She’d been in his sights for months, and she hadn’t even known. “Did you say something to my father?”
“I didn’t have to.” Edward had to laugh. “He could tell. He started telling me about your day, just as if I had asked or as if it was a normal topic of conversation for him.”
“How would he do that?” Isabeau was curious, trying to think of what her father could possibly have to say about her.
“He would tell me something interesting you had said or mention where you were sometimes for no reason. I didn’t notice he was doing it for a while and when I realized it, I began to wait for him to tell me about you and what you were doing.”
“I think from now on you can just ask me.” She grinned.
“I would like that. If you will let me.”
“You have my permission.”
“You will see me on a regular basis then?”
“Edward, I would love that.”
He took her hand and kissed it gently, not letting go when he was done.
“That makes me a very happy man, Isabeau. I will be waiting for you to fall in love with me as I have with you.”