Page 40 of A Duke in Her Fate
Thinking back to the way she had greeted him today, Isla bit back a laugh. She met his gaze so he would know she meant it. “Yes, a good surprise. Your smiles are very dashing and bold. There is something about you that makes me think of a dashing pirate.”
Ronan looked away but she caught the ghost of a grin. “It wouldn’t be the first time someone called me that.”
“Oh?”
“I’ve had a past,” he said simply.
Yes, very much of one. One I hope to learn about. I will hold you this, Ronan, that you must tell me someday soon everything. I want every secret of yours.
The carriage rolled to a gentle stop, so softly she hardly noticed. It was Lacey who bounced up. “What a marvelous time! I’ve never had so much fun. Thank you, Westvale, so much for this.”
He helped them out of the carriage, nearly getting knocked over when Lacey wrapped her arms around him in a hug. His grasp on Isla shifted but he corrected himself, helping her down to the ground, and glanced down at her.
“Thank you!” Lacey shouted and then hurried off toward the house. She found the gate, following the small stone markings to lead her up to the door.
Isla watched her go for a moment, but it was Ronan’s gaze who lingered longest. She didn’t mind. She needed a minute to study him.
Somehow her sister was allowed to hug the duke but he wouldn’t let her hold his hand. There was a discomfiting tightness inher chest that she wanted to ignore. Why didn’t he want her? She knew how little he cared about the marriage. He was going through with it, and yet hardly seemed to care.
Except for the servants. The gifts. He’d supped with them and hadn’t backed out after clearly seeing how poor they were in truth. There was contradictions at play that she didn’t understand.
“Is something wrong?”
He was looking at her again. Isla felt her smile tighten. Rolling back her shoulders, she shook her head. “No, all is well, I believe. I should go.”
“Very well.”
Or I could stay. I could spend time with you. We could finally talk. Just say the word, Ronan. Why won’t you stay? Why won’t you touch me?
She didn’t know why she cared about this, about him, about any of it. She took a step back and still Ronan did nothing. “Good day, Your Grace. And thank you for the carriage ride,” she forced herself to say politely.
Then Isla went inside straight up to her room to try and catch her breath.
CHAPTER 15
Garden parties were clearlythe thingwhen it came to springtime. At least five invitations had arrived. Whether Ronan liked it or not, he had to eventually attend one.
At least this garden party was in a comfortable and open park, still private, hosted by Sebastian and Isabel.
This party was scheduled perfectly for a sunny morning at a slightly unfashionable hour. But that was Isabel. She was already mother to a boy and a girl, both of whom were running about somewhere with the nursemaids. As was Ronan’s boy.
A perfect place, he thought, to introduce Isla to Oliver.
I hope. It is long overdue. But he and Anne arrived safely yesterday in London. There is no more putting this off. Besides, Isabel would have probably stormed the estate to visit Oliver had I not agreed to bring him today.
“Aren’t you supposed to be enjoying yourself?” Isabel said as she came up to him with a glass of lemonade.
“I am,” he said while slipping a hand into his pocket.
After checking his pocket watch, he confirmed it was twenty-two minutes and everyone who desired to be fashionably late should have arrived by now. Everyone except Isla.
“What is it?” Isabel asked while trying to look at the time. “Oh. Has she not arrived? I could have sworn I saw her.”
“If she had arrived, she would have come to greet me,” he said with a huff.
That garnered a raised eyebrow from Isabel. “It’s a large party and you’re hidden away. Sebastian said he hasn’t seen you move anywhere yet.”
Ronan resisted the urge to tell everyone to stop watching him and judging him. No one here had a need or right to judge him. Besides, nothing was wrong. Not yet. Not if Isla made an appearance.
