Isolde’s mother lowered her hands and reached for her wine glass, taking another long sip as her gaze flitted between her three daughters. Obviously, she was searching for some agreed-upon subterfuge, but she would find none.
“But therewasa difference on the riverbank,” the older woman said after a moment. “At least, I thought there was. A promising difference. That is why I have been so astounded by Edmund’s absence. Heaskedabout your gowns—how could that not have been a fortuitous sign of interest?”
Prudence barked out a laugh. “Isolde and Edmund? You thinkEdmundis interested in my big sister? Are we speaking of another Edmund and another Isolde? Why, I know I am young, but I have never seen a less suited pair. They would kill each other!”
“When did you become so macabre, Prudence?” their mother tutted, turning up her nose. “And yes, you are young, so I would ask that you keep your opinion to yourself. They are not ill suited at all. Yes, they have not always seen eye-to-eye but they are older now, and he would besuchan excellent choice. Vincent would be delighted.”
“Vincent would be marching Edmund down to the Serpentine to duel at dawn, more like,” Prudence interjected, grinning. “No brother wants their sister to marry their best friend, Mama. It is too bizarre.”
“Prudence, desist!” their mother yelped, her hand flying to her chest in horror. “Never mention dueling again in my presence!”
For once, the youngest daughter had the decency to look ashamed, dipping her head as she mumbled an apology.
Meanwhile, Isolde was only half listening, her mind stuck on Prudence’s words:I have never seen a less suited pair.Isolde had believed that firmly not so long ago, so why had she been so willing to kiss Edmund? There had not been a single doubt in her mind when it had seemed inevitable. She had even called his name when he had hesitated.
“Goodness, I do not know what the matter is with all of you tonight,” her mother grumbled. “I ask a simple question, and it descends into chaos.”
Teresa raised a nervous hand. “I would not say the question of marriage is a simple one, Mama. If Isolde is set against His Grace, you really should not push her to consider him. I, too, do not think Vincent would be as happy about the notion as you seem to believe.”
“Nor do I have the faintest affection for the man!” Isolde jumped in, feeling it was of great importance to state that, once and for all. For herself, more than anyone, in case her resolve wavered more than it already had.
A throat cleared at the doorway to the dining room, all four women whipping around at once, eyes wide at the intrusion. Before Isolde had even looked at him, she knew who would be standing there. Ofcourse, it was him, forever appearing at the most inopportune moments.
“Apologies for disturbing you,” Edmund said, a strange fire in his gaze as it rested on Isolde. “I had no idea I would be enteringsuch a heated forum, but I shall not trouble you for long. I merely came to speak with you, Dowager.”
“What is in the box?” Prudence piped up, recovering the quickest from the surprise arrival.
Isolde glanced at the large, cream box in Edmund’s hands, the package tied with a silky red bow. She would have known the design of the box anywhere, and where it had come from, though how Edmund came to be in possession of a box from Madame Versailles’ shop was bemusing.
“An express rider handed it to me on my way in,” Edmund said. “I believe it is destined for you, Lady Isolde.”
Isolde blinked, caught off guard by the way he was looking at her, those curious embers still burning in his eyes. “Me?”
“Do you think it could be from an admirer?” Isolde’s mother gasped excitedly. “A suitor, perhaps? Oh… could it be a gift from that absolutely charming Viscount?”
Edmund stepped forward and set the box down on the end of the long dining table. “I do not know where it came from. The rider did not say. It is a mystery that I am sure you will solve soon enough.”
“But the ridermusthave said!” Isolde’s mother urged.
Edmund bowed his head. “I am sorry to disappoint. Now, if you will excuse me, I should return to my townhouse.”
“Immediately?” Isolde asked, her voice suddenly tight. “Did you not say you had something to discuss with my mother?”
A slight crease appeared between Edmund’s eyebrows, his lips briefly turning up in a stiff, polite smile. “Quite right. Ididsay that.” He looked to Isolde’s mother. “I wanted to apologize for my recent absence. I have had important business to attend to, that could not wait, and it was easier for me to tend to it in my own residence. As the matter is ongoing, I believe it will be for the best if I remain in my own residence. Should you need anything, do not hesitate to send for me, and I will be at your service as quickly as I can.”
“But why?” Isolde’s mother asked, dismayed. “We have a perfectly good study, and no one is using it. You simplymustcontinue to stay here with us. It will not be the same if you are elsewhere.”
“Nevertheless, it is my preference,” Edmund said, his tone a note colder than before. “This way, if you should happen to venture out with your youngest daughters again, Dowager, I shall not be left in an awkward position. I may be representing Vincent, but I am not him, and there are rules to be obeyed, even as a guardian to Lady Isolde.”
Prudence flashed a wicked grin at Teresa. “Iknewthey had quarreled.”
“Oh goodness,” Isolde’s mother lamented, finally seeming to understand. “You are right, Edmund. I was entirely remiss, leaving the two of you alone in the house together. I am so accustomed to having you in this house that I did not even think!”
Edmund folded his arms behind his back, that flat, hollow smile fixed to his face. It did not suit him at all, the sight of it jarring Isolde. Then again, she could probably count on one hand the number of times she had seen a real smile from him… which was why it was so peculiar that he had wasted one on her, at Martin Thorne’s dinner party. She had not been mistaken, though she had replayed the moment in her mind a thousand times; Edmund had definitely smiled at her dancing with Beatrice.
“It is all right, Dowager,” Edmund said. “There was no harm done. I departed shortly after I realized.”
“Immediatelyafter he realized,” Isolde chimed in, her skin flushing fever-hot though it was mild in the dining room.
