Page 21 of The Duke of Aces
Since Minerva was being open, Isadora believed it only fair to do the same. “I fear if I marry first, you shall disappear. I have no proof of my theory nor an inkling of how you would achieve such a feat, but I believe it in my heart.”
“Disappear? I’m no magician.” Minerva paused for a heartbeat and then asked, “Do you know if the Duke of Avondale and his sister intend to make an appearance at the Lowrington’s ball tonight?”
“Yes, Tom requested I save him a waltz.” Isadora waited for Minerva to react and say something, and when she didn’t, Isadora turned around to scan the room. The chamber was empty.
Minerva had left without a word or a sound. Drat.
She flew out of the room to search for her sister. Isadora needed to dissuade her sister from whatever scheme she had planned, for there was no stopping Minerva once a plan was set in motion.
Chapter Eleven
Tom tugged onhis coat sleeve behind his back for the hundredth time as he searched the modest-sized ballroom for Isadora. The Lowringtons were one of a growing number of families who chose to remain in London year-round. Although most families had claimed it to be by choice, Tom knew it was more often than not due to a lack of financial resources. The combination of poor crop production and high estate costs for the past five years had emptied many of the lords’ coffers.
Having scanned the room for potential dangers and establishing an escape if needed, Tom set off weaving through the crowd in search of the woman that continued to plague his mind. There was no sign of either of the Malbury sisters. Lady Minerva’s note had arrived late in the day, causing him to scramble in order to meet her demands to see to it that both Drake and Mansville would be denied entrance should they present themselves tonight if he wished to dance with Isadora. He had sent the confirmation note that all was arranged three hours ago. Where the devil were the Malbury sisters? The doors to the ball were to be closed shortly.
On his third turn of the room, Tom nodded and stopped to speak to his hosts. “Lord Lowrington. Lady Lowrington.”
“Your Grace,” Lord Lowrington greeted as his wife dipped into a low curtsey and echoed her husband’s salutation.
She said, “I hope everything is to your liking.”
“Aye, the ball is a smashing success.” He scanned the crowd once more. Candlelight glittered off the diamonds weaved through Charlotte’s dark hair, reminding him of his chaperone duties. “Pray excuse me, I believe I’m needed by the refreshments table.” He took his leave, not waiting for a response from his hosts.
Several gentlemen crowded around his sister, who was holding court with ease. It was going to be a long Season. Making his way over to his sister, a swatch of blue silk caught his eye. Isadora, along with her sister and mother, were waiting by the door. His feet continued in the direction of Charlotte, but his eyes never left Isadora’s beautiful form.
“You shall trip and break your neck if you are not careful.” Charlotte appeared before him, grinning ear to ear. “Proceed with caution, brother, both Malbury sisters have a gleam in their eyes this eve. I wonder what the pair are scheming.”
Only half-listening to his sister’s natterings, he noted Charlotte had already dispensed her gaggle of admirers. Unable to wait a moment longer, he presented his arm to Charlotte and said, “Come, let’s take a stroll.”
His sister obediently placed her hand on his arm without retort, which was highly unusual and gave him pause. He glanced down at Charlotte. “We are in accord as to what the objective is for the evening, are we not?”
“We are.” Charlotte lightly squeezed his arm. “I’m to entertain Minerva, and you are going to attempt to convince Isadora marriage to you is the solution to all her problems.”
Tom’s gaze narrowed as he detected the sarcasm in his sister’s tone. “If you have an issue with the plan, say so now or hold your tongue.”
“I’ve already told you Isadora deserves more than a promise of a roof over her head and a monthly stipend. She deserves a husband who will treasure her, who will never lie to her, to love her, to…”
“Bah. I should have instructed the staff to burn all those torrid fiction stories you hoard in your room.” It was a threat he’d never act upon, but Charlotte was being stubborn, and it reduced him to empty threats.
“While I may not agree with your reasoning, I do whole heartily approve of your decision to marry Isadora, and thus, I shall endeavor to assist you in achieving your goal.”
They were a few feet away from the Malbury sisters when Tom caught Drake’s image in the reflection of the glass of the grand clock in the corner. What the devil!
He had paid good coin to ensure the man wouldn’t come within six feet of Lowrington’s residence.
Charlotte leaned in closer. “I see we have a problem. Which would you like me to tackle—the Malbury sisters or Lord Drake?”
“The Malburys. I’ll deal with Drake.”
He was about to take his leave when Charlotte gave his arm another squeeze. “You have to give the man his due. Not many would have even managed to circumvent your orders.”
“Drake’s been on the Crown’s list of recruits for years. Every year he declines for one ridiculous reason or another.” Tom’s gaze narrowed on the man’s reflection. How in the blazes had Drake managed to get this close?
Charlotte released his arm and took a step back. “I wouldn’t be so hasty to refer to Minerva as ridiculous if I were you.”
“Minerva?”
With a nod, Charlotte said, “Lord Drake is like Father. He cannot bear to be apart from the one he loves.”
