twelve
Where the hell was Isabella?
After Anthony had instructed the maestro to play the waltz and stopped to chat with a few of his guests, he’d lost sight of her. He couldn’t find Patrick, either.
“Anthony.”
He came to a halt at hearing Grandmama’s voice. “It’s done. The waltz is next.”
“I know.” There was a sadness about her that worried him. “Isabella is in the ladies’ room at the end of the corridor. She had a little accident.”
“What accident? Did you tell her anything?”
Her green eyes flashed. “Don’t use that tone with me. I didn’t do anything. She cut her lip on her own. Now go and find her. I’ll tell her parents you wish to talk to them in private.”
“Please no. I need to talk to Isabella first.”
“All right.”
He kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Grandmama.” He started to dash towards the corridor, but she stopped him.
“I hope you know what you’re doing. For her sake.”
So did he.
“She’s younger than you are, inexperienced and very naïve.”
“I know.”
She snapped her fan open and closed it again. “Just go.”
He found Isabella in the middle of the corridor patting her curls and looking around. Grandmama was wrong. The pink gown suited Isabella perfectly; it exalted her rosy cheeks and pink lips. She fiddled with her hands when she saw him.
“What happened?” he asked. “Grandmama said you cut your lip.”
“I did. With my fan.” She pointed to her bottom lip where a thin slash marred her skin. “Not my proudest moment. But Her Grace was of great help. She was very kind.”
She lowered her gaze, and he doubted his grandmother had been completely kind.
For a split moment, he wished he could kiss her lips and soothe the pain. Or simply hold her.
He offered her his hand. “May I have the honour? The waltz is about to begin.”
“Of course.” She took his arm hesitantly.
Anthony sucked in a breath when she slid her gloved hand over his arm. “Thank you for accepting my invitation.”
She smiled, and he forgot what the hell he was doing for a moment.
“I didn’t have the time to talk to my mother,” she said as they walked towards the ballroom.
“We’re just dancing a waltz for now. I won’t make any formal announcement.”
“Yes, but everyone will spread rumours about us.”
He stopped before entering the ballroom. “If you don’t want to dance, I won’t insist.”
She gripped his arm more tightly, and his heart stuttered as he feared she might say she didn’t want to have anything to do with him.
