They found their mother, the Dowager Countess of Kenley, in the sitting room. Hannah was pacing, which she was want to do when worried. Agitation flowed off Tabitha as she stabbed her needle into the material and drew it out, over and over. Deborah simply sat in a chair, wide-eyed and looking about, as if she wasn’t certain what the concern was.
In complete contrast, Benjamin and Mary relaxed on the settee without an apparent care in the world. In fact, Ben looked rather good-humored. Of course, Ben had more experience with these hysterics.
“What happened?” Nate demanded, but he suspected it was just another situation that his mother had blown completely out of proportion.
“We were at Lady Heathfield’s al fresco when we saw him.”
“Who?” Samuel demanded.
“I didn’t know what to do, so of course, we left immediately.” His mother waved a handkerchief in front of her face. “Oh, I do hope he didn’t see us. Though it was highly rude to leave so quickly without paying our respects to Lady Heathfield, but it was necessary given the circumstances. I must send her a note of apology right away.”
“Stop!” Nate yelled. “Who did you see that has you so upset?” He could think of nobody who would send his mother into such a state.
Her eyes widened and she looked at him. “His Grace! The Duke of Danby.”
He and Sam were nearly pulled from the wedding because the Duke of Danby had come to London? His mother behaved as if Napoleon had escaped again and the French were marching on London.
“I don’t understand why this is important,” Sam said with barely veiled anger. “You do realize I was at the wedding of my closest friend. I stood as a witness.”
His mother’s eyes grew wide. “But it is the Duke of Danby.”
“I don’t care if it’s the Crown Prince.” Samuel turned and stalked for the entrance.
Nate followed, silently vowing that the next time he had a moment to spare, his mother was going to get a talking to. The threat to send her back home because of her hysterics was far from idle.
“But you don’t understand,” their mother cried.
“What the blazes is there to understand?” Nate demanded.
“Because he’s going to ruin everything.” Her eyes welled with tears. “He’ll ruin my family.” The last word was delivered with a wail as tears streamed from her eyes.
Bloody hell!
Ben stood and assisted Mary to her feet. “My wife and I are going for a drive in the park.”
“But, but, but….” their mother sputtered.
Ben didn’t look back and stopped before his brothers. “As I am forced to deal with this all of the time because neither one of you can bothered, you now have the pleasure of calming her while I enjoy the afternoon with my wife, which was ruined by her early return.”
* * *
“Isabella, I will not allow you to hide up here the way you did at my ball,” Rosalind chastised after barging into her chamber that had been offered so that she might repair her appearance.
“I’ll be down later.” She just didn’t specify when exactly. Midnight seemed appropriate as the guests would all be gone by then since Roxburg insisted on the ball beginning earlier than usual by Society standards. The wedding had taken place in the late afternoon because he’d obtained a special license, though Roxburg and her sister were still married at St. Paul’s. The families then enjoyed a private supper, and the ball was to begin at seven.
“You will come with me now.” Rosalind linked her hand into the crook of Isabella’s arm. “It’s our sister’s wedding.”
Without giving her any further choice, Roseland pulled her out of the chamber, down the corridor, and then descended the grand staircase, ushering her into the ballroom. “You will stay in the ballroom.
She should have known she’d not be able to disappear again, but at least she’d be prepared this time. Or at least as prepared as anyone could be when suddenly seeing someone she never thought to see again. The only man she’d ever loved. Still loved.
Blast, she should have just stayed in Hampshire. Life was much easier for her there. Yet, it was also a boring existence, and she needed to escape the confines of the open country.
A chuckle rose at the idea of the beautiful countryside of Hampshire being confining, but it was. Too quiet and too often left alone with her own thoughts and memories, she had needed to be away from there and keep herself occupied.
When Rosalind requested she come to London, Isabella latched onto the opportunity to find a distraction and possibly a position to occupy her time and start earning funds. And she had within a week of arriving in the City. She loved working at Kirkland House and helping the soldiers injured in the Peninsular War. After a few weeks she found her place where those who were injured at Quatre Bras and Waterloo lived because they could no longer find jobs. It was fulfilling, and she was once again where she belonged. Where she felt at home. Nursing and assisting the men who had fought so bravely against Napoleon.
Oh, why had Nate decided to attend Bianca’s wedding, and what would she do if he came to the ball and wished to speak with her?
Isabella glanced about the ballroom one more time, and she spotted potted palms at the far end of the room. “Perfect!” She’d just slip behind those and remain there for the rest of the night. Rosalind said she had to remain in the ballroom. She didn’t say specifically where in the ballroom.
Casually, she made her way across the room, nodding to a few acquaintances before disappearing behind the foliage and breathing out a sigh of relief. It was impossible that he’d find her here.
Of course, he might not even care to speak to her beyond a friendly hello directed toward a past acquaintance. There was always that possibility. She’d been clear in Brussels that she never wanted to speak with him again. Those were the most painful words she’d ever spoken. She’d gone out of her way to avoid him at her sister’s ball, and she’d not been available when he called recently. Certainly his pride would not allow him to even consider her any longer.
He could easily hate her now or have dismissed her as of no consequence. Either was preferable to him wanting to spend any time with her. She couldn’t spend another moment with Nate. It was impossible to even be near him and not want to look into his emerald eyes or wish that he’d kiss her once again. Of knowing what would be denied her for the rest of her life.
Orlando may wish for her to give Nate a chance, but she couldn’t risk it. And for that very reason, once this wedding ball was over, she’d not set foot in another ball, al fresco, breakfast, picnic, musicale, or whatever else her sister, Rosalind, seemed to enjoy. This wasn’t her world. She did not belong here but at the soldier’s charity home, where she was needed.
Chapter 18
“I’ll come out and ask,” Sam said as they were granted entrance to Roxburg’s mansion.
Nate didn’t want to be fashionably late. In fact, he’d hoped to be early so that he could have a few private moments with Isabella. Unfortunately, they were kept longer than he planned and he and Sam never even had a chance to visit their club before coming here.
“Why is Mother so concerned with Danby being in London?”
“He is afraid our dear, old, great-uncle will find husbands for our sisters,” Nate answered. Sam hadn’t even been in England when Danby started interfering in the lives of his grandchildren and great-nieces and nephews.
“I gathered that, but isn’t that the point of having a Season?” Sam asked. “And as I understand it, Danby only interferes during Christmas.”
“Yes. He’s been quite busy over the last few years.” Nate grinned. “Embracing the spirit of St. Stephen’s Day, but instead of boxes for servants and gifts to the poor, he delivers brides and grooms to those in need.”
“At least I will be safe this spring.”
The last person Nate was concerned with was the Duke of Danby. “I’m sure Danby has much more pressing matters than to worry about whether everyone is marrying as they shoul
d.”
“Remind me to be back in Barbados by Christmas,” Sam grumbled. “And I fully intend to avoid the old bugger in the meantime. I’ve no intention of letting Danby settle anyone on me at Christmas or during the Season.”
Sam wasn’t the only person who was going to avoid their great-uncle, now or at Christmas. It had been close enough last Christmas when Danby summoned him to the castle. His Grace had been intent on marrying him off to Mary, believing Nate had developed a tendre for her while on the Peninsula. Nothing could have been further from the truth, and it was the first time, at least to his knowledge, that Danby had been wrong.
They stepped into the grand ballroom already overflowing with guests. How was he to find anyone in this crush?
Sam murmured something about finding someone and since Nate had his own someone to find, he didn’t mind when Sam was practically swallowed up by the guests. He snorted at the thought. All those lords and ladies in colorful gowns and tailored jackets were one big monster, gobbling up the unsuspecting who might never be seen again.
If he weren’t so intent on finding Isabella, Nate would leave. He didn’t like crowds nor the noise that they produced when gathered into one room.
A footman passed and Nate lifted a glass off the tray and started studying the ladies, looking for a particular shade of red hair, which shouldn’t be so difficult to find as there weren’t that many redheads in the room. Or he assumed there wouldn’t be, but this ball happened to have a fair share of them, including the bride and Felding’s wife. Of course the two were Isabella’s sisters.
Blast! He’d never find her in this crowd. He might be tall, but not so much that he could look over everyone to find her. What he needed was a place where he could look down. Once he found her and noted the color of the dress she might be wearing, if she’d changed from the pink she’d worn at the wedding, then he’d have a better chance of spotting her in the throng.
Nate looked up and grinned. On the far side of the room, a second story was open to the ballroom. Others were standing and watching, and that’s exactly what he intended to do. At least, until he finally found Isabella.
* * *
Isabella sucked in a breath at the sight of Nathaniel and scrunched herself the best she could behind the palms. It wouldn’t do well to be seen by him. He stopped on the lower steps and studied the room. Was he looking for her, or was he simply seeing who else was in attendance?
Oh, why hadn’t she had the forethought to wear a green dress? At least it would have somewhat blended in more than this rose. And she didn’t know why she had let anyone talk her into purchasing and then wearing a pink gown. Her hair was red, and the combination must look ghastly, not that she’d paid that much attention as she prepared for the day.
Nate, on the other hand, looked as handsome as he had at the Duchess of Richmond’s ball. That night he’d been in his captain’s uniform. Tonight he wore a dark grey frock coat with tails and long trousers, an emerald green waistcoat and snowy white, intricately tied cravat. He was quite breathtaking in formal eveningwear, and she’d bet anything that the waistcoat made his green eyes all the more intense.
It would be quite pleasurable to simply stay here all night and watch Nate. Well, until he flirted and danced with one of the many ladies in attendance. Not that she could complain, of course. She had sent him away.
Though it would be nice to dance instead of hide. She hadn’t danced since Brussels, and everyone did appear to be having a grand time dancing to the music from the excellent musicians.
Oh, this was ridiculous! Just because she’d rejected him nearly two years ago didn’t mean he held it against her. He was probably thankful she’d turned him away. In retrospect, Isabella understood why he might have thought he cared for her. She was one of only a few females and the only unattached female who wasn’t also a camp follower. And he was leaving to go into battle. Of course he wanted to kiss and hold someone before he put himself into harm’s way. She might have done the same thing.
Isabella was certain that once he resigned his commission and returned to England Nate was thankful he’d not been allowed to pursue her further and that he had realized his attraction was due only to circumstance. It wasn’t possible he’d fallen in love with her, and he certainly must realize that by now.
Perhaps his wishing to speak with her was simply to renew their friendship, she decided hopefully. Perhaps he no longer held any tender feelings for her.
It was far better to consider him wishing for a friendship, a reconnection. One she could enjoy and not fear being hurt by.
Why hadn’t she considered that was why he might wish to speak with her? Why had she assumed it was because of his declaration?
Just because she would always love him, didn’t mean he returned that affection.
What the blazes had been wrong with her this past week? She’d been assuming something that might not even be true and had hid like a coward. She’d never been so unreasonable in her life before, but just seeing Nate had set off a panic the likes of which she’d never experienced.
Well, enough was enough. She would not hide, at least, not for much longer. If he wished to speak with her, she would; but that was all. He was a friend. Someone she thought highly of and who deserved her respect if nothing else.
With a sigh, Isabella scanned the room once again while remaining concealed in the greenery, but she couldn’t find Nate. He was just there a moment ago, but she couldn’t see him anywhere.
“Ah, I can see why you’ve chosen this spot, Miss Valentine.”
Isabella stiffened. How had he found her?
“It’s far more preferable than being out there with the hundreds or so who have flocked to Roxburg’s ball.”
Blast! What was she to do now? The timbre of his voice sent chills down her spine and heated her blood. But she could not let him affect her. He must not ever learn of the depth of her feelings, and she prayed he had come to realize he never really loved her. Perhaps, they might become friends again.
Isabella straightened and slowly turned, looking up into the handsome face of Nathaniel Storm. His humor-filled green eyes, all so familiar, warmed her to her bones, and she couldn’t help but smile. Oh, how she’d missed him.
Chapter 19
She was more beautiful than he remembered. Or perhaps she’d simply grown more beautiful since he saw her last.
Her smoky grey eyes looked up into his and held. Nate almost forgot to breathe, and it was all he could do to stop himself from reaching out and drawing Isabella into his arms, hold her close to his heart, and never let her go.
Words left him. None of the speeches he’d prepared over time came to him.
Time seemed to stop completely. All they did was stare at one another.
“Isabella!”
They both blinked at the female voice. The spell broken. If that was even what it was that held them suspended in silence. Nate completely forgot where he was or that others were near.
“This is where you’ve gone to?”
They turned as Lady Felding stopped beside them. She looked from Isabella to Nate and back again. “My pardon.” She took a step back as she frowned.
“Did you need something, Rosalind?” Isabella asked.
“No, nothing.” Lady Felding eyed him with curiosity. “I just didn’t want you hiding again.”
Nate quirked an eyebrow at Isabella. Did she simply hide from him? Or were there others?
Others? Well, he certainly did not like that train of thought and stopped it abruptly.
“Though the two of you should really not be back here.”
“Of course,” Nate quickly said. “I spied Miss Valentine and wanted to greet her since I haven’t seen her in nearly two years.”
Lady Felding frowned. “Two years.”
“Brussels to be exact.”
Lady Felding’s mouth formed an “o.” “Then you know my brother, Orlando?”
“Yes.” Nate smiled. “And I also knew Bertram.”
He lowered his head for a moment in respect. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
Sadness flickered in her eyes, and Nate wondered if he should have said anything at all. “We were attached to the same regiment for a few years before I was reassigned. Miss Valentine and I became reacquainted in Brussels.”
Lady Felding nodded as sudden interest lit in her blue eyes.
Nate offered his arm to Isabella. “Shall we?”
She eyed him askance before slipping her gloved hand into the crook of his arm. Together, with Lady Felding, they emerged from the palms. As it was the three of them, if anyone saw, Isabella’s reputation could not be called into question. Not that he really cared about her reputation at the moment, but he certainly didn’t want to ruin her and find himself married to the woman when he didn’t know her real name.
“Would you like to take a turn about the room?”
Isabella shook her head. “No, thank you.”
“A stroll in the gardens?”
“I don’t think that would be wise.”
“We’ll, I’ll leave the two of you to be reacquainted,” Lady Felding said before hurrying off. From what Nate could tell, she was going straight to their brother, the good doctor.
He turned back to Isabella. Her grey eyes watched him with wariness. What was she afraid of? That he’d be foolish enough to proclaim his love again? The emotions may be very real, but he wasn’t about to make such a declaration a second time.
“How have you been?” he finally asked.
“Well, and you?”
“Much better now that I’ve found you again.”
* * *
Her heart skipped a beat. “I’ve missed our friendship,” she blurted out. It was true, but it wasn’t the only thing she missed. His arms, his kiss, his company, and their long talks.
That was completely impractical and unwise. It was best to remember that and keep Nate at a distance.
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