Page 13 of The Truth about the Viscount
A frown pulled at Daniel’s forehead.
“Then what is it?”
“It is this!” Turning, Isabella pulled the paper open and then showed it to him. It took Daniel a few moments to understand what it meant but, after understanding hit him, he caught his breath, his eyebrows lifting. “It is beautiful, is it not?”
“I am surprised at it, I must say.” Daniel picked up the newspaper for a closer look, turning his head just a little as he took in the picture that had been drawn of Isabella and Lord Milthorpe. “Someone must have drawn this the night of the ball, though I did not see any artists present.” He looked at the picture again, trying to find a name. “It does not say who has drawn this.”
“No, it does not, though I now think to write to The London Chronicle and discover it.”
Daniel smiled at his sister, seeing the light in her eyes and hearing the happiness in her voice.
“It sounds as though you are delighted with it, my dear.”
“I am.”
“Even though it expresses an affection that is not truly there between yourself and Lord Milthorpe?” The smile on Isabella’s face flickered and instantly, Daniel realized he had unintentionally upset her. “Forgive me, I did not mean to–”
“It is something to aspire to, is it not?” Her voice had softened, and Daniel dropped his head, a little embarrassed that he had spoken without thinking. “Something that I hope will soon exist between myself and Lord Milthorpe. This drawing is a beautiful picture of what I desire, of what I long for. I cannot think of anything better than that.”
“Then I am glad for you that the artist has chosen to print this artwork in The London Chronicle. And,” he continued, pulling Isabella close and dropping a kiss to the top of her head, “it will make Lord Newforth all the angrier, for thetonwill now believe that you are quite in love with Lord Milthorpe and he with you, and what could be more wonderful than that?”
“Indeed.” Isabella sighed, smiled, and then looked up at him. “Though you do not appear to be in the least bit contented at present.” Her smile began to fade away, as she searched his face with her gaze. “I do not want you to be upset any longer, brother. The match is made, I shall be contented and all will be well.”
Daniel tried to smile in return, but his expression seemed stuck, a little too fixed.
“I am glad in that regard, but I must say that I struggle a great deal with the pressure that society has brought to bear. Had they not been inclined towards gossip, had Lord Newforth not been able to use them as a threat, then you might now be free and able to make your own decision as regards your future.”
Isabella lifted her shoulders and then let them fall, a small sigh on her lips.
“Alas, what can be done? It is not as though we can turn from society, not as though we can force them to do what we wish them to do, is it?”
“No, I suppose we cannot. But it does mean that I can decide not to be a part of it any longer.”
His sister’s eyebrows lifted.
“What do you mean?”
“It means simply that.” Daniel sat back down and picked up his coffee. “I will do what I must this Season but, once you are wed, I have no intention of returning to London again. Nor will I be as invested in it as I was before, for you have suffered greatly because of theton.Lord Newforth used them to his advantage, and that means that I no longer wish to be as involved withsociety as before. I used to think that it was a wonderful thing to be in theton, to be an esteemed member of society. Now, however, I see it quite clearly. It is a monster, ready to devour anyone it pleases at the smallest whim.”
Isabella sat down beside him, reaching for the teapot.
“I can understand your concerns, but I do not think that there is a great need to be so pulled away from it all.”
“Ido,” Daniel answered, firmly. “I shall do what I must for the time being, but thereafter, I will no longer be as present as I have been before.” His sister flattened her lips as though she wanted to say something more, but had chosen not to, seeing that he was more than a little determined about what he wanted to do. “But I am happy that you appear to be a good deal more contented with Lord Milthorpe than I had expected.” Daniel smiled briefly, then finished his coffee. “Now, I must go and finish the invitations for your betrothal ball. I do hope that you are looking forward to it?”
Isabella nodded.
“Very much.”
“That is good.”
“And you will still attend the soiree this evening, will you not?”
With a small smile, Daniel rose to his feet.
“I shall, of course. Just because I seek to step back from society does not mean that I will no longer attend all that we have been invited to.”
“I am glad, for I do not think that I can face society without you as yet,” Isabella answered, her eyes becoming a little damp. “I am still afraid that Lord Newforth will do something, although I have become betrothed.”
