Page 41 of The Duke of Aces
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The entire interiorof Wembly Hall had been transformed from drab to chic. The alterations hit a cord within Tom. She had brought about changes within him, too, all within a very short period. He searched the crowd for Isadora.
“Five o’clock,” Charlotte said with a smile.
He shifted his gaze in the direction of the dance floor as his sister had suggested. Every rehearsed greeting fled Tom’s mind as he stood, hands clenched at his sides. Isadora was in another man’s arms, and the fact that the man was Drake only made his blood boil hotter.
Charlotte snapped her fan open and lifted it to cover the lower half of her face. With her domino covering the upper half no one would recognize her. She turned slightly toward him. Who was she hiding from? He peered over her shoulder and scanned the guests milling about. He didn’t recognize half the gentlemen who donned dominos below. The possibility that Charlotte’s behavior wasn’t out of caution but due to fear hit him. “Are you nervous?”
“It’s not the first time I’ve had to head into a sea of unknown individuals.”
“True. But this time, it’s not purely out of duty. You are personally invested. You want the women below to like you.”
Charlotte’s perfect posture faltered for a moment before she righted herself and said, “Now I understand why we are trained to remain detached.”
“Our lives are extremely complex…and, at times, challenge us beyond what we believe ourselves capable. The past few weeks have proved that we are stronger, better agents when we work together. I’m here. For you.”
“My thanks, brother, but tonight our mission is to get you engaged.” Charlotte lowered her fan and snapped it closed. Once again, he was faced by his unstoppable sister. “You realize Isadora will not become any less attractive once you wed.” Her gaze pointedly dropped to his hand that was still fisted at his side. “You had best become accustomed to the sight, and the idea that gentlemen will try to steal her away from you even after she has taken your name.”
Charlotte was right. If he didn’t want to find himself dueling every week and still remain effective on missions, he’d need to come to terms with the fact Isadora would no doubt draw the notice of both friends and foes.
He couldn’t resist the pull to be closer to Isadora. Tom presented his arm to his sister and together they descended the stairs. “How do you think papa dealt with the fact mama drew such attention?”
“I’m sure it wasn’t easy. However, it is irrelevant how he managed. It is the fact that he did, and their marriage did not suffer.” Charlotte gave him a wink. “I have confidence you shall succeed, too.”
He wanted to believe his sister.
The reality was he knew very little about Isadora. He was acting primarily upon intuition, driven by the fact that he no longer felt whole unless she was near. It was as if she reached into his chest and ripped out half of his heart and held onto it. With each step he got closer to Isadora, the stronger his heartbeat.
The music stopped, and Drake skillfully steered Isadora around so that they were facing each other. Drake’s laissez-faire demeanor fell away as they approached. “A good eve to you, Your Grace. Lady Charlotte.”
His sister dipped a quick curtsy, and Tom nodded. “Drake. Lady Isadora.” His gaze remained on her.
She was breathtakingly beautiful. Her green eyes twinkled in the candlelight, and her deep burgundy silk gown had him yearning to taste her lips once more. Isadora removed her hand from Drake’s arm, and the pressure in Tom’s chest eased. Oh, how he longed to wrap her up in his arms and whisk her onto the dance floor. Drake bowed. The movement extracted Tom from his thoughts and reminded him he was in the middle of a crowded ball.
Hand extended, Drake asked, “Lady Charlotte, will you do me the honor of granting me this next dance?”
Charlotte took Drake’s arm. “It would be my pleasure. We have much to discuss.”
Isadora frowned at the pair as they weaved their way to the center of the dance floor. Fear that she was displeased at having been left with him alone had his airway tightening. Tom cleared the lump that had lodged in his throat. “Lady Isadora, would you care to dance?”
“Not particularly. I’m rather parched.” Isadora’s gaze tracked Drake and Charlotte. “What is your sister up to?” She shifted closer to him and offered him her hand.
He placed her hand upon his arm and escorted her toward the refreshments table. When no one was close by, Tom leaned in and replied, “Charlotte intends to convince Drake to privately challenge Minerva to a game of chess.”
She twisted, placing her lips inches from his. Was she testing his willpower? “What would Minerva stand to gain if she were to defeat Drake?”
It required every bit of his self-control not to whisk her into a nearby alcove and give into temptation. “His promise to not interfere with Minerva’s plans to reinvent herself.”
“Beg pardon.” Isadora stopped short. “Reinvent herself? What do you know of Minerva’s plans?”
Tom glanced to his left and then to his right. Thankfully, all the Wicked Ladies and their guests appeared to be preoccupied. “Charlotte suspects Minerva is planning on venturing to the Americas to assume a new identity. Your sister’s name is on the manifest for theQuarter Moonthat is scheduled to make the long journey in a month.”
Brow furrowed, Isadora asked, “How did Charlotte discover such information?”
Tom boasted, “My sister is rather resourceful. She and Captain Bain have become close friends recently.”
“Do you think Charlotte will succeed in convincing Drake to do what others have tried and failed?”
