“You shall! Indeed, tomorrow.”
“Oh, I forgot about that!”
“Because you’re not going,” Isabel corrected Verity. “You’re supposed to be readying for your return to the countryside. I don’t even know why you returned in the first place.”
Waving a hand flippantly in the air, Verity said, “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not missing this now. No, I shall be there. Do tell her, won’t you?”
I have a feeling I have another outing to attend now.
“My husband and I have begun to support a local orphanage,” Isabel told her quickly. “We’re going for a charity visit. I do this every month to make sure everything is clean and tidy and the children are well-cared for. Now, I bring friends and potential investors to entertain the youth and do what we can for them.”
“Oh, that is very inspiring.” Isla hesitated for a second. She thought of the pinched pennies and dire circumstances at home that she feared could have her sisters there if she wasn’t careful. “I would love to.”
“Shall we meet you there?” Isabel asked.
Verity nudged her. “Or we can come retrieve you.”
“No.” Ronan stepped up. “I can attend her. She needs a chaperone if she’s going to be with the two of you, anyways.”
The two ladies laughed while Isla stared at him, slowly realizing that was a joke. Mostly. She shook her head at him beforeturning to the duchesses. “It would seem we will both be there tomorrow. How glad I am to have met you both.”
“Try saying that again in a year,” Verity teased brightly. “Well, we had best be on our way. The husbands worry, you know. Ronan, dearest, don’t forget.”
“We mean it,” Isabel added and then sent Isla a wink. “Tomorrow, then!”
“Tomorrow,” she promised.
The duchesses left and Isla breathlessly sat down in the carriage with Ronan. It only took them a moment to be on their way. She fumbled with her gloves as she waited for the duke to say something, to talk about his friends or mention the ladies. Would they be invited to the wedding? She wasn’t certain since he had already taken care of a few arrangements but she knew nothing about guests.
Only Ronan didn’t say another word until they were pulling up at her home. She glanced about as he led her up to the door.
“Are you all right if we attend tomorrow?” Isla felt inclined to ask. “Because if it will be a problem…”
“It’s not. I never said it would be a problem.”
So he was choosing to be obstinate again. “I know, but you hardly seem interested. It’s hard to sort out what to think with you sometimes.”
“Do you want me to tell you what to think?”
She huffed. “No, certainly not.”
“Very well. All is well, Lady Isla.” He took the key from her hand and twisted it in the lock, opening the door. His face was in shadow, making it difficult to understand his meaning when he told her, “Good night and I shall see you tomorrow after eleven.”
Isla supposed she didn’t have a choice.
That night, she alerted her mother to the plan and they readied her dress before she retired for the evening. In the morning, she took a walk and played games with Lacey before readying for the outing.
Ronan was prompt as ever, bringing her to his carriage to lead her across London. It was another quiet journey though she did attempt to ask him about his morning. She learned little besides how little he prefers to eat upon rising and he had stayed in London instead of his country estate for today’s adventure.
“Are you certain this is all right?” Isla felt she had to ask when they descended from the carriage in a glum sort of street that carried a heavy stench she tried not to breathe in. “I don’t mean to be a bother.”
“You’re not. And this isn’t. Shall we?”
Isla studied him for a moment, noticing he was somewhat uncomfortable, but she could tell nothing more. So she accepted his offered arm and let him lead.
Although the street was filthy, the inside of the orphanage was sparkling clean upon their entry. It was a large hall filled with several other ladies and a few other gentlemen. There, she was introduced to everyone. There were no other dukes here today but she did meet Genevieve, another energetic duchess who helped lead her along.
“We’ll inspect the kitchens and beds before going on to the play rooms and school room,” she explained helpfully. “Those rooms are further in. Oh, and the yard. They have their own garden to grow vegetables and a place to play outside in the sunshine.”
