“Ah, Lord Lymington,” Lady Ryland said. “Perhaps his horse picked them out?”
Isabel laughed despite herself. “It could be so. Though, I have had a talk with him about at least broadening his conversation to include other topics.”
“Did you? Brava, my friend. It is high time somebody did so.” Lady Ryland paused, then she said, “I suspect he is the sensible but not pulling on heart strings choice.”
“Yes.”
Lady Ryland’s eyes drifted toward the primroses. “And who sent the other?”
“Mr. Harry Vance,” Isabel said.
“I see,” Lady Ryland said. “Oh yes, now I see.”
Chapter Eleven
Isabel did notrespond, as she thought Lady Ryland did see well enough. She only wished she could herself see with such clarity. Or if not see, thenfeelwith clarity.
They went on to talk of more usual things, and Isabel learned a great deal about the proceedings at Lord Ryland’s mystery ball and supper. Including, Lady Ryland’s advice on what to do if Isabel did not find it convenient to think about a murder. She advised thinking of a book she knew well and silently repeating it to herself. Shakespeare, in particular, was recommended.
That might come as a handy strategy, as she was not so certain she did wish to consider a murder. She could reciteHenry VandOthelloby heart, andAs You Like Itnearly so. Among her various instructions to herself garnered from her father’s library, she had studied Shakespeare quite thoroughly. She’d once heard Lord Bertridge quote fromKing Learand had become convinced that the plays must be a typical subject of conversation in London. She did not wish to come up short on it.
As they moved to other topics, Isabel heard the door knocker in the distance. The drawing room doors opened and Carlson announced Lord Lymington.
Lady Ryland rose to take her leave, presumably imagining that the lord would wish to take advantage of the opportunity to have a private conversation with the lady he visited for as long as it took for the duchess to hear of his arrival and hurry into the room.
That was, the lady imagined it until Lord Lymington said, “Ladies, no, well, I just poked my head in to say hello. I’ve come to see Carlson. About the weather.”
“About the weather?” Carlson asked, quickly glancing out a window, lest there be some sort of unexpected conditions developing.
“Yes,” Lord Lymington said to Carlson. “The duchess said you’d teach me everything you know. About the dolphins and such.”
“She said that?” Carlson asked.
Isabel thought Carlson looked not quite as enthusiastic about the prospect as the duchess had imagined he would be.
“How about the library? That’s where one goes to learn things, I believe,” Lord Lymington said, “I am sure the duchess will not mind it.”
Carlson, seeming to have no defense ready to fend off the request, sadly nodded.
Lord Lymington bowed to Isabel and Lady Ryland and then followed the dejected butler down the hall.
Lady Ryland looked enquiringly at Isabel. “Dolphins?”
Isabel sighed. “Carlson has some interesting ideas about the weather. Now I am afraid Lord Lymington is going to have them too.”
*
Harry had beencagey upon arriving at Ryland’s ball. He knew the duchess was irate with him regarding Miss Rightstone, and probably even more so since he’d sent the primroses to Lady Isabel. For all he knew, she’d also discovered that he’d advised Lymington to send columbine, lavender and marigold, in which case her very hair might catch fire from the blistering heat of her temper.
He had bided his time before approaching Lady Isabel.
But then his opportunity arose. The duchess’ back was turned and she was in deep conversation with Lady Heathway. He’d stealthily approached and got on Lady Isabel’s card.
He wrote himself down for the second—the first was already taken, as was supper. The supper was claimed by Lymington of course. That was irritating enough, but since he’d arranged with Ryland to have Lady Isabel at his table, that meant Lymington would be at his table too. He supposed the fellow would at some point leap up and cry, “Everybody! I think the horse did it!”
As for Harry’s military campaign to sneak into enemy territory and capture the lady’s card without her bad-tempered general spotting his incursion, Harry was certain Lady Isabel, herself, knew exactly what he was doing.
He was glad. Hewantedher to know to what lengths he would go to secure her.
