Because he was beginning to like her and that was not part of his plan. The fists had softened to clutch at his armrests. Staring hard at them, he frowned and tried to think about what his options were. He wasn’t going to start being crude. But whatever had just happened couldn’t take place again. This wasn’t about him liking her. Even becoming friends wasn’t part of the plan for him.
Ronan sunk down into his seat with a frown. How had he just messed up his plan? And more importantly, how was he going to fix this?
CHAPTER 12
Although Isla hadn’t been able to appreciate much of the show, she still clapped until her hands itched when it finished. She wiped away a happy tear from her eye before turning to Ronan.
“That was spectacular,” she proclaimed. “I’m so glad we came tonight. What a clever idea it was.”
“Yes, I suppose so.” Ronan was already turning away from her with a vague nod. She paused to watch him move around, gathering their coats. “Shall we?”
Her mouth opened and shut. They’d had a lovely moment not an hour ago, and now he was distracted. She wondered what she might have done wrong as she went over to let him wrap her cloak around her shoulders.
“Did you enjoy yourself tonight?” She asked hopefully.
“It was fine. Tonight was to ensure we were seen as an acceptable couple. Come along, let’s try to avoid some of the foot traffic,” he said while scooping her hand through his arm.
Any hope of avoiding the crowd was near impossible, however, as they descended the stairs and entered a mad crush of people all attempting to do the same. Isla had to hold back a small laugh at Ronan’s bewildered frown before nudging them along in a small path by the walls. It didn’t take them long to exit, thankfully, and soon he had called over his carriage.
“It is him!”
“Oh bother,” Ronan muttered under his breath.
“Is something wrong?” Isla asked just as two women came hurrying over to them with breathless smiles. Immediately she tried to smile back.
The taller of the two hastily fixed her cloak. She would surely be called a fairy by Lacey for her delicate features and apparent elegance. “What an absolute delight to meet you! I’m Lady Verity, Duchess of Halewood. And this is––”
“Isabel, of course. Duchess of Eastwynd.”
Their enthusiasm and broad smiles were much more than Isla would have expected. While she smiled, she glanced at Ronan for guidance, but he was merely rolling his eyes with very clear annoyance.
Very well, I might as well… introduce myself to two duchesses. Goodness!
“What a pleasure it is to meet you both. I’m sorry, I am rather caught unawares here. But a pleasure, to be certain,” Isla nodded eagerly. Then she winced. “Oh! I’m Isla. Isla MacLaren.”
“I am so glad to meet you,” Verity beamed before shooting a sharp glare at Ronan. “It is clear I might not have had another opportunity.”
Isla wondered if this was somehow her fault. “I… I beg your pardon?”
“Do ignore her, she grows grumpier with every child,” Isabel whispered theatrically with an exaggerated wink.
“It’s only my third child,” Verity protested before covering what was not yet an official bump. Her pout transformed back into that lovely smile, however, as she focused back on Isla. “Genevieve couldn’t join us, but we are very happy to make your acquaintance.”
Isabel helpfully added, “Genevieve is married to Julian. All four of our husbands have been friends for years.”
Flushing in confusion and intrigue, Isla looked to Ronan. He still had yet to say anything even though their carriage had arrived. “How lovely.”
“We are very glad to welcome you to the family. I know you’re not wed yet, the two of you, but we couldn’t be more hopeful,” Verity went on brightly. “It’s been such a struggle trying to make your acquaintance, to put it bluntly, so I thought we had best find you out ourselves. And what a lovely coincidence to find you here!”
“I don’t think your husbands will appreciate you staying out here all night,” Ronan finally interrupted.
“If you would work on your poor manners, we could have stayed inside,” Verity told him primly. “Next time, don’t ignore the notes I send you in the opera.”
Ronan rolled his eyes. “I shouldn’t like to make Tristan jealous.”
Something about that made the two duchesses laugh. Isla felt like she was dancing on uneven ground, trying to make sense of how to handle this strange conversation. The two women were very happy and clearly friends. And they hardly troubled themselves with Ronan who… Now that she took a closer look, he was trying to hold back a smile of his own.
She managed to relax. “I’m sorry, I shall have to intercede on his notes next time. I am very glad to meet you both now, and hopefully Lady Genevieve soon.”
