Daring Deeds 0f A Forbidden Duchess (Steamy Historical Regency Romance)

by Violet Hamers

  “I have a strong feeling it’s much more complicated than you’re making it sound,” Isabel noted.

  “Perhaps,” Lady Pemperton said with a slight shrug. “But to me, it isn’t.”

  They were now heading to the dressmakers. They fell quiet, enjoying the walk. Isabel wasn’t accustomed to going on such walks, where there were so many other people around, but she didn’t expect any less from London.

  Seeing the busy streets was refreshing… at first. Now, Isabel was feeling a little odd. She ran her gaze through the many faces, noticing that no one was staring at her in particular. They were all going about their day like she was, yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very off.

  “Lady Pemperton?”

  “Yes, my dear?”

  “Do you get the feeling that someone is watching us?”

  Lady Pemperton’s face didn’t move. It didn’t register surprise, or confusion, or even amusement. It was as if Isabel didn’t even ask the question and she was about to repeat herself when Lady Pemperton said, “Yes, I have for a while now.”

  Isabel’s heart sank. She would have much preferred the idea that she was simply not used to being in a town as busy as London was. “What should we do?” she whispered.

  “Nothing,” Lady Pemperton said calmly. She looked the picture of normalcy, as if nothing was amiss. Isabel tried her best to emulate it. “Unless you see who might be watching?”

  “No one stands out to me.”

  “I don’t see anyone in particular, either,” Lady Pemperton said. “We don’t need to stop at the dressmaker’s today. Let’s head back to the townhouse.”

  Isabel nodded, trying not to look too eager. She wasn’t sure if Elisa could overhear what they were saying, since they weren’t speaking very loudly, but she doubted the other woman would have gotten as agitated as Isabel was.

  Before, she had been slowly easing into this day out with the Marchioness, starting to enjoy herself and forget all about her troubles with the Duke. Now, Isabel was fighting off the crawl of unease down her spine as she tried not to be too on edge making her way back to the carriage.

  But even when they were safely inside, Isabel didn’t feel any better. She longed to peek past the curtains, wondering if she would find the person responsible if she did, but she resisted the urge.

  “It’s all right, Miss Isabel,” Lady Pemperton said, clearly trying to remain upbeat. “After the impression you made at the ball, you are the talk of the town. It would only be normal for people to be watching you while you pass by.”

  Isabel nodded, though she didn’t believe the words any more than Lady Pemperton did. It was clear she was only saying it to soothe Isabel’s frazzled nerves and she appreciated the thought. But it didn’t help as much as it should have.

  She tried to forget about it once they were en route back to the townhouse. Whoever had been watching her surely wouldn’t follow her all the way back to there, she hoped, so she tried her best to breathe easy.

  As if she knew was needed once again, Lady Pemperton struck up a conversation with herself, because Isabel was not in the right frame of mind to respond to her. She politely nodded along, saying a few words of encouragement here and there but she knew the Marchioness was only trying to fill the silence, hoping that Isabel wouldn’t grow too melancholy.

  It helped, somewhat.

  Chapter Twenty

  David had just emerged from his study when he saw Miss Isabel and her lady’s maid heading up the stairs. Her gaze was focused solely on the steps before her, a frown furrowing her brow as she quickly went up and out of sight, leaving Lady Pemperton standing at the base, staring worriedly up at her.

  None of them had seen him, and so when he approached Lady Pemperton’s side, she jolted just a little. “Your Grace,” she gasped. “You snuck up on me.”

  “On the contrary, My Lady,” David said dryly. “I was quite loud and obvious in my approach. You seem to be a little dazed. Is something the matter?”

  “It’s… it’s nothing, Your Grace.”

  David nodded, noting the hesitation. Now there was no way he was going to let her leave without getting to the bottom of whatever had just happened.

  “Would you like some tea before you leave, My Lady?” he asked politely. But his tone was just forceful enough for her to know what he was trying to get across to her.

  “That would be lovely, Your Grace.”

  James hurried off to have the tea prepared while David and Lady Pemperton made their way to the drawing room. He was hoping they would be able to finish this conversation before the tea was brought in, because he didn’t really care to linger for long.

  “Let me cut to the chase, My Lady,” David said. “Did something happen during your walk?”

  “Nothing happened, Your Grace,” Lady Pemperton said.

  “Then why does Miss Isabel seem so distressed?”

  “Well…” He could see her thinking, searching for the right words. David waited patiently. “As I said, Your Grace, it isn’t anything. Merely an overreaction, I’m sure.”

  David tried not to get too frustrated too quickly. “Merely an overreaction of what?”

  “While were walking through the markets, we got the feeling that someone might be watching us.”

  “We? Meaning the both of you?”

  “Miss Isabel pointed it out to me and she seemed very nervous. I had noticed before but I thought I was simply on edge because of the note. When she said it to me as well, I thought that maybe there was some reasoning to my odd feeling.”

  The anger was quick and strong, and David didn’t know who exactly it was aimed at. He couldn’t unleash it on the lady before him, and he wouldn’t dare to let Miss Isabel see, so he reined it in as best as he could. “And this wasn’t something you thought I should know, My Lady?” he asked through gritted teeth.

  “On the way back to the Manor, Your Grace, I thought we had simply overreacted. Miss Isabel was the belle of the ball she attended and so it isn’t foolish to think that people would watch her as she passes by.”

  “And what of the person who handed her the note?” he demanded. At that moment, James entered with their tea. David used the break in the conversation to bring himself back under control then he said, “Did it not occur to you that it might have been that person?”

  “Perhaps, Your Grace,” Lady Pemperton said in an attitude that was much too easygoing for his liking. “But I’d rather not focus on a possibility that, while slim, only makes us anxious. I would recommend that you don’t, either.”

  He held his tongue. She was right about that at least. Thinking of the worst in a situation like that was not only bound to make tensions rise, but make his anger grow when he was trying his best to bring it down.

  “All right, My Lady, I’ll trust your instincts,” he said.

  “You should,” Lady Pemperton said as she rose. “I have been watching over Miss Isabel for a while now and I love her as I would love my own. Believe me when I say, Your Grace, that I would like to get to the bottom of it as much as you do. But there is no use making her any more worried than she already is.”

  Then, Lady Pemperton smiled, effectively eliminating the serious air they had just created. “Besides,” she said. “She should be excited at a time like this. The ball is coming up and everything is going to go absolutely splendidly.”

  The mention of the ball did nothing but upset him even further but David hid it well. He nodded brusquely. “Very well, My Lady. Allow me to escort you out.”

  Lady Pemperton smiled graciously and proceeded to follow him out the door. They said nothing to each other as they made their way to the front door but then Lady Pemperton turned to him and said, “Despite what I said, Your Grace, I fear she might be a little apprehensive after our walk. If you could do something to cheer her up, then that would be wonderful.”

  He nodded without thinking. He didn’t allow the suggestion to seep in too much, not when Lady Pemperton was standing
right before him. He feared she might see just how inviting the thought was.

  She stared at him for a moment longer, eyes glittering. He wondered if she was waiting for him to say something but then she smiled and said her farewells.

  The moment she was gone, David turned to face the staircase Miss Isabel had rushed up not too long ago. He wanted to console her. He wanted to see her. But he knew how bad an idea that was. For now, he didn’t think he could trust himself to be around her for too long before his longing grew much too overwhelming for him to ignore. Even this morning he had struggled to remain normal, when her tantalizing scent was filling his every sense.

  Still, it took a bit of effort to turn away from the staircase and make his way back to his study. He would hide away for the rest of the day. Some work should do him good. It should keep his mind off the kiss of last night, and the lady upstairs.

  * * *

  Isabel had decided to forget about it. The kiss, the weird feeling during her walk with the Marchioness, all of it. The negative emotions swirling through her were too much for her, and she had many positive things to think about.

  Like the ball, for example. Lady Pemperton had been trying her best to not only get Isabel excited about it, but to make sure she was prepared. The gown that Lady Pemperton had designed for the ball somehow managed to top the white gown Isabel had worn for her debut and she felt a tremor of excitement at the thought of finally wearing it.

  The Duke stayed out of sight for a while, though Isabel thought that might be a good thing. Though she longed to see him and had to resist the urge to go searching whenever she missed him, Isabel knew that being away from him was the right thing. That way, she could forget about the kiss more quickly, and learn to be without him.

  That was the hardest part of her days.

  She was happy for the most part and as the ball grew closer and closer, her smile grew wider and wider. But, lingering in the back of her mind, she would wonder what the Duke was doing, if he was still in his study, if he would talk much during dinner or breakfast the next morning. No matter what move she made, the Duke was always there with her in spirit.

  For tonight, however, she wasn’t going to let it hinder her. For tonight, she would focus on being her very best self so that when he saw her, he would realize just what he was missing out on.

  She had decided to stay with Pempertons in preparation for the ball tonight. She missed the Duke dearly, yet the fact that he should be in attendance tonight was spurring her onwards. Hopefully, no unforeseen happenings would come in the way again.

  “Are you ready to head down, Miss Isabel?” Elisa asked her. She had finished preparing her for the ball a short while ago and Isabel was trying to rid herself of her nervousness.

  “Yes,” she let out a low breath. “I’m ready.”

  They had spent all morning preparing for this, so Isabel had no choice but to be ready right now. Lord and Lady Pemperton would be waiting for her to make her entrance soon so she couldn’t be late.

  As she was on her way to the ballroom, she caught sight of Lady Pemperton, whose eyes lit up the moment she saw her. “Oh my goodness, you look perfect!”

  Isabel smiled. She felt perfect. The gown Lady Pemperton had made for her was of the palest pink silk, with a fitted bodice and high waist, and flowed around her as she moved. It was embellished by deep azure embroidery and a matching ribbon around the waist. To bring added life to the ensemble, Elisa had braided delicate pink flowers into her hair. She looked as though she floated when she walked. Isabel felt like a goddess.

  “I feel beautiful, My Lady,” she said. “This gown is absolutely beautiful.”

  “I’m sure everyone is simply going to be stunned by it,” Lady Pemperton gushed. “Come now, it’s time to make your entrance.”

  It was the moment she had been waiting for and Isabel couldn’t feel more ready, sure to look out for the Duke, and his reaction.

  As she was announced into the room, she took the time to take note of the ballroom’s extravagant decorations. Lady Pemperton had certainly went all out for this, the luxurious chandeliers shimmering light that was reflected like crystals all over the room. Jewels dazzled under the aura of riches the room emanated and Isabel’s breath was taken away at the sight.

  Then, she noticed just how many eyes were on her and she forgot all about it. Her gaze swept the area but she didn’t see the Duke anywhere. All she saw were a myriad of gentlemen with intrigued eyes, gentlemen she was sure would be approaching her as soon as they thought it was appropriate.

  A few of them barely allowed her to settle down before they came to her side, and the one who made it there first asked for a dance. She wasn’t surprised when Lady Pemperton urged her to go on ahead.

  The Marchioness had already made it clear that she wanted Isabel to dance with every eligible bachelor in attendance. That wasn’t a thought she was in agreement with, but Isabel didn’t protest. As the gentleman led her onto the dance floor, she kept looking around for the Duke, hoping he would see her in the arms of another.

  There’s no need to be so small-minded about this.

  Yet, she couldn’t help herself. She wanted him to see. She wanted him to know exactly what might happen if she was truly supposed to give her attention to another person. Perhaps a little bit of jealousy would be in her favor.

  She spent the entirety of the first dance searching for the Duke and feared she might not have given the gentleman she was partnered with the attention he should have gotten. She couldn’t tell if he was upset about it, however, because his face was so stiff that he had trouble getting the simplest of expressions through. She only hoped she didn’t make too bad of an impression, though Isabel had no plans to dance with him again.

  Lady Pemperton stood by her side when she was between dances, making introductions constantly. A few of the gentlemen who had approached she had already met before, but many of them were new and Lady Pemperton was there to ensure she got to know each and every one of them. Lord Pemperton lingered around sometimes, but he decided to leave it in the hands of his wife and enjoyed himself elsewhere.

  When she finally saw him, she was in the arms of a young Earl. He was saying something to her but his voice was tuned out the moment she laid eyes on the Duke standing on the far end of the room.

  When did he arrive? Oh, he looks so handsome.

  She noticed suddenly that she hadn’t seen him look so dashing before. Dressed for the ball as he was, he was a vision, and she was well aware that she wasn’t the only lady in the ballroom that was staring. Other ladies and their mothers watched him as well and while the Earl jabbered on in her ear, Isabel narrowed her eyes at those ladies nearby who looked as if they wanted an introduction to the Duke.

  No, he’s mine!

  She looked away quickly, alarmed at the force of her thoughts. Her face went bright red when she realized what was happening. She had hoped to make him jealous and here she was, getting jealous herself.

  But she couldn’t help it and she slowly peeked back at the Duke. He looked very intense, his gaze searching through the crowd. Her heart leapt the moment it settled on her but she couldn’t look away from him, no matter how much she knew she should.

  Again, that mask was in place, but it failed to cover his eyes. Something shimmered in them but as the Earl twirled her around the room, Isabel couldn’t get a good look at it.

  Thankfully, the Earl had been so caught up in what he was saying that he hadn’t noticed Isabel’s lack of interest. She smiled at him a little too brightly, knowing that the Duke’s eyes were on her and then it was off to the next one.

  The gentlemen didn’t stop coming. Isabel didn’t stop dancing. She didn’t enjoy a single one, but she smiled as if she did, trying to be polite and hoping that the Duke was seeing everything. She didn’t dare to look at him again, though every fiber of her begged her to.

  Then, the Count appeared. He seemed to materialize out of nowhere and when Lady Pemperton saw him, she squeal
ed a little in excitement.

  “I hope I’m not too late?” he said with a grin. Isabel couldn’t help grinning back, a genuine one. In truth, she had missed him. He hadn’t come to call on her in a while and she had wondered what he had been doing during that time.

  “No, no, no,” Lady Pemperton said. “You’re right on time, My Lord. The ball is now in full swing.”

  His eyes glittered at Isabel and he held out his hand. “Then you have no excuse to reject me for a dance, Miss Isabel,” he said jokingly.

  Isabel wasted no time in placing her hand in his. She was surprised to see how normal it felt to do so. “When have I ever given you an excuse, My Lord?”

  “Never, Miss Isabel, but I’m always acting out of the fear that you will one day.”