Page 31 of One Night of Surrender
Lady Viola kissed the dowager’s pale cheek.“Good night, Grandmama.”
“Good night,” Isabelle said, standing.“And thank you.”
The dowager left, and Lady Viola turned back to face Isabelle.“I meant what I said—it’s just lovely that you’re here.I hope it takes you all Season to secure a new position.”She winced.“My apologies.That’s rather selfish of me.Unless you’d like to spend the Season with me.”
Isabelle had never dreamed of having a Season, and the idea of mingling with Society’s “best” didn’t appeal to her in the slightest.However, spending time with Lady Viola had a certain appeal, and it had nothing to do with her being Val’s sister.Lady Viola possessed a warm and magnetic nature.She was, perhaps, the first woman Isabelle could conceive of calling friend.
“I should like for you to give me a proper tour of the house tomorrow so that I may appreciate everything.Your grandmother’s collection of art is magnificent.”
“I should love to!But for now, I should show you to your room.Blenheim said your things were already taken there and unpacked.”
It was as if she were an honored guest.She’d never been that before.“It’s very kind of your grandmother to allow me to stay.Val—” Damn!His name escaped her mouth before she could stop it.She could only hope Lady Viola hadn’t caught it, however, given the slight widening of her eyes, Isabelle was all but certain she had.“His Grace was adamant she would welcome me, but I didn’t wish to intrude.”
“You couldn’t possibly.Grandmama likes you—she said as much.Honestly, she gave you high praise.”
Isabelle thought back to what the dowager had said and couldn’t determine what that might have been.“Hopefully it won’t be for very long.I’ve sent several inquiries already.”
“Well, I shall hope for the opposite.I’ve a mind that we should be friends, and if you leave too soon, I won’t be able to find out why you called my brother Val.”Her eyes twinkled with merriment.
Isabelle’s insides curled.Just what had she gotten herself into?
CHAPTER 10
Isabelle’s chamber at the dowager’s house boasted a variety of paintings as awe inducing as the ones she’d seen the night before.It was as if she were staying at Somerset House.Not that she’d ever been to Somerset House, but she could imagine the same kinds of paintings were on display there, simply in greater quantity.
She’d slept well in a bed dressed with silken sheets and adorned with velvet hangings.Indeed, she felt rather decadent.
The dowager apparently broke her fast in her chamber, but Isabelle was delighted to join Lady Viola in the morning room, which had a wall of tall windows and glass doors that looked out to the enclosed garden.Shortly after they were seated, Lady Viola insisted Isabelle call her simply Viola.She’d said they were now friends, after all.
“What shall we do today?”Viola asked once she’d finished her toast and eggs.“I recall you saying on our shopping trip that this was your first time in London.You must have a list of things you’d like to see and do.”
“Not a formal list, no.I’d like to see the British Museum.And Somerset House.And maybe Hatchards.”
“Did I hear someone say Hatchards?”Val stepped into the morning room and extended his leg before joining them at the table.He looked to Isabelle.“As it happens, I came to take you to Hatchards.”
“And me, I hope,” Viola said.“Mrs.Cortland ismychaperone, if you recall.”
Val rolled his eyes.“Yes, you may come too.”
“How generous of you to offer,” she said sweetly.“Next time you make plans formychaperone, you should make sure we don’t have other engagements.”
Isabelle suppressed a smile at their mock bickering.At least it didn’t seem genuine.It was lively and amusing and rather endearing.
“Doyou have other plans?”he asked, looking between his sister and Isabelle.
“No,” Isabelle answered.
“The point was we might’ve,” Viola said, standing.“And you’re in luck because Hatchards was on our list.Shall we go?”
Val inclined his head.“Indeed.First, however, I thought Mrs.Cortland might like to visit Dangerfield’s across the square.”
Viola studied him intently, then transferred her gaze to Isabelle.The curiosity in her stare made Isabelle shift uncomfortably.She got to her feet.“You remembered that I said I liked to visit circulating libraries,” she said, hoping that might provide sufficient explanation to Viola as to why Val might know that about her.
“I did.”
“We’ll just fetch our things,” Viola said, her gaze still lingering on her brother and Isabelle.
She left the morning room first, and as Isabelle followed, she considered how to caution Val.If they weren’t careful, Viola—or worse, his grandmother—would deduce the depth of their acquaintance.
