Page 27 of The Duke of Aces
“Engagements are rarely broken, but it has been known to happen, so the answer is no.” Tom twirled her to avoid another couple who were making eyes at each other and not paying attention to their surroundings. He smiled at Isadora’s wide-eyed reaction to his response. Clearly, the lady was not accustomed to being denied.
“What would it take for you to confide in me?” Isadora’s cheeks turned bright pink.
“You know how Minerva looks at Drake whenever he is not looking?”
“Aye.”
“You would have to look at me like that for the remainder of the waltz and give me your word you are amicable to becoming the Duchess of Avondale as soon as I could obtain a special license.”
Isadora’s eyes softened as she gazed up at him. The glee at having her look up at him with adoration was short-lived. He wanted her to look at him because she, too, was falling for him, not to gain a piece of intel.
Isadora leaned in closer as if she were his lover sharing an intimate secret. “That’s a king’s ransom, you demand.”
“Mayhap, but a deal you are willing to consider…give me your word to marry me, and I’ll give you what it is you seek.”
It felt like an eternity before Isadora met his gaze and said, “Keep your secrets. I will discover them on my own, one way or another.”
Damn the woman. The last notes of the waltz faded into the background, and he escorted them off the dance floor. He hadn’t achieved the mission he set out for himself this eve. He hated the feeling of failure. But had he succeeded in buying himself more time with Lord Torrance?
Depositing Isadora in Charlotte’s care, he went in search of the couple, who in essence, held his fate in their hands. After thirty frustrating minutes, Tom gave up. Lord Torrance and his wife were nowhere to be found, and it wasn’t even midnight. The thought of boarding theQuarter Moonat first light had his chest tightening. It was dangerous to conduct a mission without a clear mind. And the thought of leaving Isadora with matters not yet settled was crushing his heart.
Chapter Thirteen
Dressed in herbrother’s breeches and lawn shirt, Isadora lay beneath the covers in her bed and tucked her hands behind her head. It might be hours before the entire household retired for the night. Minerva was full of energy on their way home from the Lowrington’s ball. Her sister seemed suddenly optimistic about the upcoming Season, and while Isadora’s intuition screamed at her to pry into her sister’s plans, she remained silent and focused on her own plans for the evening. She had to discover what was the cause of Tom and Charlotte’s peculiar behavior after the short appearance of Lord and Lady Torrance at the ball. That and the craving to experience more of Tom’s kisses.
She threw back the covers and slipped on her riding boots and her brother’s old greatcoat and carefully made her way to her chamber door. Ear pressed to the hardwood, Isadora inhaled deeply, gathering her courage. It wasn’t the first time she’d ventured into the night alone. While sneaking out to attend a Wicked Ladies Event was exhilarating, sneaking out and attempting to enter a gentleman’s domain was entirely a different level of heart-racing anticipation. It was no wonder, Diana, her younger sister who was now the Countess of Chestwick, had snuck onto Lord Chestwick’s grounds months ago.
Isadora cracked open the door and peered about the hall. With all the candles snuffed out, she let her eyes adjust to the darkness before creeping out and venturing down the back stairwell. She hoped Grant, her loyal footman, had her mare readied and was waiting for her at the end of the back alley behind the row of townhomes. She smiled as she closed the back door and crept along the path that was no longer worn from lack of use over the summer. Isadora hopped over the rock wall and was relieved to see the small glimmer of candlelight at the end of the ally. She took a step forward and froze. The slight breeze held a fragrance that had her scanning the area. Bergamot. The cologne worn by Tom had been infused with the citrus scent. The duke was close by.
Hoping she was right, she whispered into the dark, “Your Grace. Please come forward.” Her breath caught in her chest as she waited. The silence continued, and she closed her eyes to see if it would sharpen her hearing. She inhaled deeply. The male scent seemed stronger. He was closer, yet she hadn’t heard a sound. Where was he?
Isadora spun around as warm air tickled the back of her neck. Shock rolled through her as she came face-to-face with a familiar male figure, but it wasn’t the duke. “Drake, you scared me. What the devil are you doing out here?”
“Tell me first, were you expecting Avondale, or did I simply foil your plans to meet him elsewhere?”
“Neither.” She disliked how accurately Drake had guessed her plans. The fierceness in Drake’s eyes that she had never before witnessed had her staring at the man she’d known all her life with a different perspective.
Drake took a half step back and scanned their surroundings. “Isadora, the truth.”
“I was on my way to speak to Avondale.”
She had her own questions she wanted answered, but Drake asked first, “What was so pressing it couldn’t wait ’til tomorrow?”
“He’s in danger. I want to assist.”
Her response elicited a chuckle from Drake. “Avondale can handle himself. Please return to your bed.”
“Not before you tell me why you are out here lurking about in our garden.” Isadora stood firm and crossed her arms over her chest.
Drake let out a sigh of resignation. “I wasn’t lurking.”
She looked up and spied the flicker of a candle from a window on the very top level… the attic…above the servant quarters. “Is that Minerva up there?”
“Aye. She’s planning something…something extremely complex. I can feel it in my bones, and whatever it is, it has me worried. One day, your sister is going to have to realize life is not a game of chess. People are not always what they appear to be, and we can’t all be easily manipulated as Mansville.”
“Why are you worried? For three years you’ve done nothing but hover close by, but you don’t act. Why won’t you ask her to marry…and don’t tell me it is because gentlemen don’t marry their best friend’s sisters.”
When Drake remained silent, looking up at the window, Isadora tugged on her coat lapel and marched toward her awaiting horse and footman.
