Sebastian cleared the shadows from his face with a blink. His lips twitched and then he offered a short nod. “I should hope so.”
Everyone gathered around to take their own seats. Making a game of it, Ashcombe took her right so Sebastian had to sit on the man’s other side. It didn’t bother Isabel as the angle was easier for her to watch him through the meal. As events had gone in the drawing room, sometimes everyone focused their attention on her and sometimes they didn’t.
What she noticed most of all was that no one seemed suspicious of her. Annoyed. They didn’t stare or whisper or judge her.
I cannot imagine they don’t know about my family… and yet no one says a word. I have half a mind to say something, to blurt it out. But I shan’t. What a lovely evening this could turn out to be.
It appeared that supper was an event that helped her husband unwind. During the next two hours, Isabel watched his half smiles turn into grins, his quiet chuckles into laughter. Never before had she thought a laugh was so harsh and beautiful all in one. She could hardly take her eyes off him.
Feeling overwhelmed with the strange beating of her heart, Isabel excused herself. “Thank you for your entertainments, gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to have you. I hope to see you all before you take your leave on the morrow,” she added before taking her exit.
She hoped it would give Sebastian extra time with people he clearly cared for, those he knew. The people who knew him.
Making her way up to her bedchamber, she flopped onto the bed and wondered if he would ever let her know anything about him.
After a good night’s rest, Isabel dressed and returned to the dining room at an early hour to join the men one more time. Everyone was tired, judging from the circles under her eyes. The servants couldn’t be certain how long the gentlemen stayed up playing cards and billiards since they had been excused before any of them retired.
And yet the gentlemen still smiled and rose to their feet when she entered the room.
“Goodness,” she said with a short laugh. “You’re all much more polite than you pretend to act. Especially you, Northcott,” she added teasingly. He offered something of a smile and nodded before they all sat down. “The skies are clear today, so I hope your travels will go well.”
“The horses are already being prepared,” Sebastian reassured everyone.
Ashcombe leaned forward from where he sat across the table from her. “My dear duchess, you must share your breakfast trifle recipe. Or else I shall be forced to steal away your entire kitchen staff.”
Somehow, she spent most of the meal talking about food with Ashcombe before he excused himself to finish his preparations for the journey home. Sebastian and Ward followed, going to check on the stables.
Northcott lingered for a minute as Isabel stepped free from the table, and he took care of her chair for her.
“Thank you,” she remarked in surprise. “You’re too kind, Your Grace.”
“It is a small thing. You, however, are not,” he stepped back with an appraising look. “I cannot fathom how Sebastian foundhimself such a fine lady in London, but I am impressed and relieved. Please know you have a friend with the Northcott family and Halewood name.”
She blinked in surprise at such a compliment. A remark like that carried weight in society.
Guilt assailed her. While Isabel believed in hope, in possibilities, she worried that the duke was making a choice that might do him injury. “Your Grace, while I very much appreciate the notion, I fear there is something you should know about my family.”
“About Sebastian?”
Opening her mouth, she hesitated. He wasn’t asking about her parents and her brother. Just her husband. The man who was now her family. Meeting Northcott’s gaze, she realized that he did know. Only it didn’t matter to him.
Warmth flooded her from her fingertips to her toes. “Oh. I see. Well, thank you very much. It was a pleasure to meet you. Perhaps we shall see one another again in the summer and I might meet your wife.”
“God willing, yes,” he reassured her.
“What is God willing about?” Strolling over ahead of Sebastian from the open front door, Ronan Ward beamed at them. “That our dear duchess won’t run away from our ferocious friend?”
Ferocious was hardly the word Isabel would use to describe her husband, even if he could act fiercely when the occasion called for it. She eyed him curiously before turning back to Ward.
“I have no need to run when I am safe and comfortable. The only question you should be worried about, Your Grace, is when is it your turn for a wife?” she asked teasingly.
“Oho! Clever lady you are. Perhaps I shall request an exchange. My best horse to Sebastian for you?”
She tsked. “I’m worth at least an entire team, Your Grace.”
Sighing dramatically, he put a hand over his heart. “Too priceless for even a pitiful duke!” He straightened and then offered such an exaggerated bow that she couldn’t resist laughing. “May our battle of wits continue into the new year, Your Grace. But I shall have you––”
Sebastian interrupted by tugging him away, putting him into a chokehold that surprised only Isabel.
