Page 115 of Courting the Wrong Duke

She might not understand what Algernon was hiding, but she was no longer willing to dismiss what she had seen.

***

She found her mother downstairs shortly afterward and explained that she had been invited to tea at Aldermere House that afternoon.

Her mother’s entire expression brightened. “You are seeing Lord William again?”

Rosalind immediately recognized the significance of again. “His mother invited me to tea.”

“After you met with him this morning.”

“Yes, Mama. I am aware of how the day has been arranged.”

“Twice in one day.”

Rosalind sighed. “It is only tea.”

“Of course it is.”

Somehow, the agreement sounded considerably more suspicious than an argument would have.

“I hoped you might accompany me.”

Her mother’s expression turned apologetic. “I am afraid I cannot. Mrs. Pembroke is calling this afternoon, and I have already postponed her twice.”

Rosalind glanced toward Isabella, but her friend anticipated the question.

“Nor can I.”

“I have not asked you yet.”

“You were going to.” Isabella gathered her gloves. “Unfortunately, I have an appointment.”

Something in her tone immediately made Rosalind suspicious. “What sort of appointment?”

“A fencing lesson.”

Rosalind stared at her. “Since when do you fence?”

“I don’t. That is rather the purpose of the lesson.”

“And you decided this morning that you simply must learn?”

Isabella lifted her chin. “Someone at the gathering remarked that fencing requires a degree of discipline women are unlikely to possess.”

Rosalind already knew where this was going. “And Gabriel agreed.”

“He may have.”

“So you intend to learn solely to prove him wrong.”

“I intend to prove everyone wrong.”

“Including Gabriel.”

Isabella pulled on one glove with unnecessary determination. “Especially Gabriel.”

At least that particular complication seemed considerably easier to understand than anything involving the Sinclair family.