Page 34 of The Lover's Eye
He gestured his chin in Lady Sempill’s direction.Isobel nodded, forcing herself to stand, and bade the dowagers farewell.
As she and Elias became immersed in the crowd, Isobel realized her rest had not restored an ounce of her strength.Her legs felt weaker now than they had before, her mind swimming with the dregs of that awful conversation.
She was smart enough to realize most of their purported intelligence was glorified gossip, run through the mill of mortality and come out on the other side with more frills and adornments than before.There was something about a handsome young person dying that brought grand esteem—and grander scandal—to their memory.Still …
Isobel glanced down at the necklace, seized with the urge to rip it from her neck.As if removing it could remove her memories with Lord Trevelyan.Erase the look in his eyes when she’d pointed out the dead myrtle in his garden.Absolve her of this unaccountable heartache, this irrational jealousy.
Elias drew Isobel up to stand before Lady Sempill, who was seated beside an equally unpleasant looking friend.
“You were looking a little overwrought on the dance floor, dearest,” Lady Sempill said, levelling her gaze at Isobel.“I trust you will feel better for the cotillion, and the minuet.”
“I daresay I would have the vapors, too, if I danced with such a handsome young gentleman,” said the friend, with what appeared to be a mischievous glint in her milky white irises.
Isobel thought the obstruction to her vision explained much about the woman’s comment.She probably thought Elias was the Prince Regent, if all she had to go on was his mother’s description.“I expect I will be much improved for our remainingdance,” Isobel said, enjoying the etch that appeared between Lady Sempill’s eyebrows.
“Why, pray don’t tell me you only mean to dance with Elias only once more.There are many opportunities yet—”
“Yes, but only two dances together would be proper, my lady.”
If Isobel danced more than twice with Elias, it would not only be bad form, but declare their connection a serious one.No matter that everyone already believed them as good as betrothed—Marriane had written incessantly about sending Isobel to London for a Season.It was far from her preferred solution, but if all else failed, entering the marriage mart would still be better than marrying Elias.She must hold to propriety yet.
Elias stood, offering Isobel his hand.His jaw was set.“There is a cotillion about to begin.”
The authoritative clarity of his voice made her wince.“But I have already saved you the minuet, Captain Sempill,” Isobel said, gesturing to the dance card dangling from her wrist.Save a few slots filled with the names of family acquaintances, and none of them eligible bachelors, Elias was the only name penciled on it.
His thin lips twitched into a smile.He did not revoke his proffered hand.“Miss Ridgeway,I am not ashamed to make my intentions known.Would you do me the honor?”
“I am not feeling up to dancing as of yet.As your mother pointed out, I became quite overwrought during the country dance.”
Even as she opened her fan with ease, her grey eyes remaining locked with Elias’s, her heart skipped.She could feel the fan tremble in her grasp.She feared him now, and nothing could ever rebuild the trust he had violated so wantonly.
“Perhaps you need some fresh air!”Lady Sempill interjected loudly.“We mustn’t let you swoon and create a scene.Yes, that will be just the thing.Elias, take her to the gardens.”
Isobel took his arm reluctantly.At least it saw her removed from Lady Sempill.But as they neared the doors leading out to the portico and garden, Isobel stopped sharply.
“What?”Elias looked down at her.
“Remaining here will suit me,” she said, advancing toward a meagerly populated space by the doors.
Elias scoffed.He had the audacity to appear hurt, his blue eyes teeming with disbelief.“You do not trust me to take you to the gardens.Is that it?”
“Why should I, after how you behaved?Besides, that is not a wise proposition to begin with.I’m shocked your mother would recommend such a thing without acting as chaperone.”
“I think we are past the point of chaperones, are we not?We are to be husband and wife.”
The words, spoken from those same flat lips that had forced themselves upon her, made Isobel’s stomach clench.The bubbles from her drink threatened to rise up her throat.“If you or your mother was thinking of making an announcement tonight, I beg you think the better of it,” she said coldly.
“Why?”
“You have not asked for my hand, I have not said yes to you, and should you pretend otherwise, I shall make sure to embarrass you in front of the entire county.”
Lord and Lady Everly were making rounds about the ballroom, chatting with their guests, and drew up before Elias could formulate a reply.The host and hostess had blocked the portico doors from view, but Isobel heard an unmistakable voice bustling through the crowd a few moments later.
“Oh, I suggested he take Miss Ridgeway outside for some air, but I never imagined he would do so unchaperoned!”
Lady Sempill was talking loudly, her soprano voice strained thin and amplified for attention.She was upon the doors now, instructing the footman to open them at once.She did not notice Elias and Isobel just steps away.“These young people,” she said with a raucous laugh.“One never can tell what they may be up to.”
Lady Everly cleared her throat loudly as the door opened and Lady Sempill stepped outside.The endeavor to save the old woman some additional embarrassment was missed, and she ploughed across the portico like a spry mule, feathers atop her head flopping.
