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Lord Osgood was lingering in the hallway by the entrance to the assembly rooms. She paused when she spied him. He frowned slightly. “I was wanting to see how you were faring. When Miss Turnbine returned and you weren’t with her—” He cleared histhroat, as if realizing he was rambling. “I just wanted to ensure that all was well.”
“Indeed, my lord,” she said evenly. “As you can see, I’m perfectly fine. I appreciate your kind consideration on my behalf.”
He smiled tightly. “Indeed.” As she started to move past him, he reached out and placed a hand on her arm. Not roughly, but enough to give her pause. “I’m probably being entirely too bold by asking this, but—do you truly feel nothing for me other than a brief acquaintance?”
Isadora’s face started to burn, but it had nothing to do with his query, but more to do with the nature of it. “I fear that is all I can offer, my lord,” she returned softly.
A line formed between his brows. Instead of continuing the same line of questioning, he asked the one thing she would never be able to answer. “What happened to make you so determined to do everything on your own, Isadora? What is it that you are trying so hard to prove?”
She stiffened, gently extricating herself from his grasp, and recanted her carefully rehearsed speech. “I wish to be an advocate for women’s rights. I can’t do that with a husband monitoring my every move, demanding to know where I’m going and with whom. I tend to spend time with radicals and rebels. There aren’t too many men who would accept that without question.”
“And what if I told you I would? Shall it make any difference?”
Isadora hadn’t been expecting that. She backed up a step, but the wall at her back prevented her from any further retreat. But then, it wasn’t as if he was making any untoward advances. He hadn’t moved from his earlier position. It was merely the fact that they were concealed from the rest of the inhabitants of the gathering that unnerved her.
Anything might happen. And she was afraid she would allow it.
“I would never ask anyone to sacrifice their happiness toappease me. That would defeat the entire purpose. I only wish to make a difference.”
His focus never left her face. “Have you never thought that you already are?” he said quietly.
She froze. “What are you talking about?”
He looked torn for a moment, as if he wanted to say more, but he merely exhaled heavily and muttered, “Never mind. I shall take my leave of you now.”
He strode away.
Remington had never felt morelike a coward than he did right then. He had never thought he would ever stoop so low as to earn such a disparaging title, but after his conversation with Lady Isadora, he realized that there was no other explanation. He’d just had the perfect opportunity to draw her into his arms and attempt to convince her to change her mind about allowing more between them, rather than continue this game of cat-and-mouse where constant pursuit and easy escape played key roles.
Of course, he was the only one who knew they were playing that game.
He headed for the refreshment table to procure a glass of punch and took a hefty drink. He yearned to taste some brandy in it, but sadly it was free of any spirits.
He wasn’t standing there long before Lady Isadora reappeared. His gaze was riveted on her as she engaged in polite conversation with more influential men from Newcastle. They all appeared quite eager to impress her. But then, he supposed he was no exception. Ever since he’d been introduced to Isadora, he’d thought of little else. No other woman seemed to compare to her intelligence and inner strength. Even if her outward appearance wasn’t as appealing as it was, he would have been easily impressed by her wit and sharp mind.
He forced himself to drag his gaze away as she returned to dance with her latest partner. Rem knew that he should just forget the lady and move on. Perhaps when he returned to London, he should look for his next mistress. Or worse yet, put himself on the marriage mart. No doubt he would be saddled with a marchioness before the summer had ended. But perhaps it was the best option at this point. Society marriages had certainly begun on little more than a mutual respect for one another, and in time, he was confident that he could find contentment with a wife and children.
Thus decided, Rem was able to make it through the rest of the evening without giving Lady Isadora more than a passing nod now and then when their paths crossed. They each danced with various partners, but never did they pair up with each other. Again, he thought it was for the best. The less he tormented himself by holding her in his arms, the better off he was.
As the assemblage started to break up, Lady Isadora approached him. “I suppose it’s time we should be heading back.”
“I’m ready when you are.”
They retrieved their outer garments, and once he had assisted her into the phaeton, they were on their way back to the Old George Inn.
“I had fun tonight.”
He glanced at her, but she was looking straight ahead.
“It’s not very often I can be myself. Here, I actually feel accepted, whereas in London I felt as if I was always being judged, as if I didn’t quite fit in with the rest of society because I choose a different path.” She glanced down at her hands. “Sometimes I wonder if I would be happier if I left the city.” She shrugged. “Maybe farther north is where I should stay.”
That was the worst idea Rem had ever heard, because it would take her away from him permanently, but since he had to push aside his own emotions, he forced the next words out. “The people of Newcastle have certainly been very forthcoming withyour forward ideas, since theirs are very similar in nature. They realize that change needs to occur in order to make the future an easier place to live, whereas the aristocracy in London prefer to keep things as they are. But eventually everyone will have to adapt to more than just the convenience of gas lighting. There is noise, poor air quality, and more congestion that comes with technology, but without advancements, we should still be in the Dark Ages.” He turned to give her a crooked grin. “I, for one, am eager for further science in medicine. I could certainly do without leeches and bloodletting.”
“You should speak to Dr. Thierry Haimlin when you return to London,” she suggested. “He is a kind man and doesn’t mind trying something new, even if it hasn’t been properly approved by the rest of society. He assisted Olivia, and I will forever be grateful for his knowledge. Calliope told me that he also saved the life of her husband’s grandfather, the Marquess of Abersheen.”
Rem nodded. “I think I’ve heard of the fellow. If memory serves correctly, he has been making quite a stir within the upper echelon. Some of the younger set have even demanded his services, rather than relying on a long-standing, family physician.”
“That’s good to hear,” she noted. “I’m glad to know that people are appreciating his abilities.”
