David shook his head and willed himself to look way from her.
She certainly cannot expect me not to stare when I’m faced with her angelic beauty. God, she’s bound to find me disturbing if I continue like this.
The thought had him freezing again.
David couldn’t deny to himself just how much he wanted to make a good impression on his ward. He wanted her to like him as much as he was growing to like her.
“Nothing at all,” he said, schooling his voice into normalcy. “I only wanted to ask if you are willing to take the air with me in the gardens.”
“Willing?” The shyness fled in a second and Miss Isabel’s eyes went wide with happiness. Then she blinked again, as if she was trying to contain it. “I would be honored, Your Grace.”
That made him smile. David willed himself to stop staring and instead focused on the meal Isabel had ensured was prepared for him. As she hoped, it brought back many great memories of his childhood but David felt different from the last times he had eaten such things. Her presence influenced everything, his every sense, and now David suspected he'd never be able to think about this place without thinking of Miss Isabel.
Chapter Seven
The flutter in Isabel’s chest was both welcome and confusing. She knew the source of it, because every time she looked at the Duke, it tripled in its intensity. It came to the point where Isabel was a little afraid of looking him in the eye, out of fear that he might read her every emotion. Elisa always told her that she wore her emotions as plain as day, and she didn’t need the Duke knowing just how fond of him she was growing.
It was hard to hide, however. They walked in silence, James pushing the Duke’s chair in rhythm with her slow strides. It was a marvelous day for a walk through the gardens, and as if Fate wanted them to be alone.
Isabel could hardly focus on the scenery and the wonderful weather, though. The gentleman by her side made that difficult. His invitation to go for a walk in the gardens after breakfast came as a very welcomed surprise, but now Isabel couldn’t help pondering about it.
Is he growing as fond of me as I am of him? Is that the reason for the sudden change?
Sudden was the best way to describe it. Before, he barely glanced in her direction whenever he was home, yet here he was, asking for her company. Or was it merely because he was incapacitated and he didn’t want to be bored by himself?
Whichever one it was, Isabel was more than eager to comply, just to be in his presence a little longer.
“What are you thinking about, Your Grace?” she asked him finally.
The Duke didn’t look at her, but sighed deeply before he responded. “The irony of my situation. On my way to the manor, I was crossed between wanting to relax, and knowing there was work to be done before it was time to leave again. It seems the decision was made for me.”
“Life has quite a way of doing such a thing, don’t you think?”
The Duke frowned up at her. “What do you mean?”
“I suppose it’s in our nature for us to plan our next move, or to think about the things we would like for the future. But it never quite works out the way we want it to, does it?”
The Duke took a moment to respond, looking straight ahead. Finally, he said, “You are completely correct. If someone had told me that the late Duke and Duchess would die of sudden illnesses and leave you in my care, I would have never believed them.”
“Such a sad state of affairs, Your Grace,” Isabel said, her tone light despite the topic of conversation. “And I could say the same for myself. Do you ever feel lonely, Your Grace?”
Again, he took a moment to respond. Isabel didn’t mind. She was surprised at herself for having asked the question in the first place. “Yes,” he said at long last. “The past three years have been the loneliest I’ve ever had.”
“As have I, Your Grace,” she said without hesitation. “Without my parents, or my late guardians, I’ve spent a lot of time on my own. Lord and Lady Pemperton help to ease that ache sometimes.”
“I’m happy you’ve found solace in them, at least.” Isabel glanced at the Duke to see that he looked as if he wanted to say something else, then decided against it.
She wanted to pry, but decided against it. Instead, she said, “And you may find solace in me, Your Grace.”
“Pardon me?”
She looked straight ahead, mortified at the deep blush that was steadily creeping up her neck. She was sure he could see it. “We have suffered much loss, Your Grace, and yet we’ve never spoken like this before during your previous visits. It feels as if we are strangers, though we have something we can relate to. I… I only want you to know that you don’t have to feel lonely anymore, Your Grace. I’m here.”
“That’s… that’s quite a kind thing to say, Miss Isabel.”
“And I mean it. The late Duke and Duchess treated me kindly after I was taken in by them and after their deaths, it felt as if I lost another part of my family. Even then, I still have Elisa. And Lord and Lady Pemperton. But who do you have, Your Grace?”
The Duke fell silent. A few seconds went by without either saying a word, but Isabel tried her best not to overthink how he might be reacting to her bold words.
Did I say something too forward?
“After spending so much time with you, I’ve come to notice how kind you are. Yet still, your words take me by surprise. I don’t know what to say.”
“There’s no need to say anything, Your Grace.”
“You are right, however. I didn’t notice it until now. How hard it has been for me to grow close to anyone since I lost them.”
“I’m sure the fact that you are always up and about working doesn’t help that much.”
He huffed a laugh that was devoid of any humor. Isabel couldn’t tell when last she had such a serious conversation of such depth. “I’m sure it doesn’t. But I’m also sure that I could have made the effort if I really wanted to. Should I see this broken leg as a blessing in disguise?”
She glanced away, hoping he wouldn’t see how warm her cheeks were getting. “It would certainly make the rest of your healing process much easier,” she said with a slight smile.
“Worry not. Spending time with you is already making this quite bearable, if not enjoyable even.”
He said the statement so offhandedly that she wondered if it felt as profound to him as it did to her. She tried not to think too much on it, though it was easier said than done. “Well, Your Grace, I’m happy to be of service.”
“And I’m happy to provide you with riveting conversation and entertainment during our time together.”
“You are wonderful company, indeed,” she said with a laugh.
The Duke laughed as well and they fell into an easy and comfortable silence.
“Thank you, Miss Isabel,” he said suddenly.
Isabel blinked in surprise. “There is no need to thank me, Your Grace.”
She offered a smile but when he looked up at her, he didn’t smile back. Not right away. He only stared at her, his gaze searching. Isabel wondered what was going through his mind, but then he smiled back at her and all her thoughts fled. Every time he smiled at her, she felt the same warm feeling in her chest, filling her until she could no longer think straight.
They walked the length of the gardens and back without even realizing, deep within an intense debate that delved into politics and of literature, as well.
Finally, they came to a stop on an open bench. Isabel was intensely aware of the Duke, especially since both James and Elisa had taken a step away from them. Spending so much time focused solely on one another was wonderful.
“You impress me, Miss Isabel,” David said. His voice was light, his tone happy. It made Isabel’s heart soar.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Isabel said, blushing, trying not to make it obvious how romantically stimulated she was. It alarmed her just how often she did blush when she was around him and she desperately hoped that he didn’t notice.
This time, however, there was no hope of that. The Duke looked at her, as if he wanted to say something, and she knew without a doubt that he noticed the blush creeping up her neck. She tried to remain calm and aloof, but the Duke’s weighty gaze was too much to ignore.
It isn’t just his gaze, though. It’s everything about him. The way his eyes glitter with an unnamed intensity, the way he speaks to me as if I’m the only lady in the world.
Isabel was beginning to understand what this feeling in her chest was and she was both afraid and eager for it.
“You are such enjoyable company, Miss Isabel,” the Duke said finally. Isabel instantly knew that that wasn’t what he had meant to say at first. “It feels as if I can sit and talk with you all day.”
“Then why don’t we, Your Grace?” The few seconds that followed her bold statement had her hurrying to correct it. “Of course, you are still recovering, so perhaps it’s better for you to return to your chambers once you grow weary.”
“Is that what you want?”
Isabel looked at him, stopping in her tracks.
Did I hear that correctly?
“Pardon, Your Grace?”
With that outrageously cryptic stare, he repeated, “Is that what you would prefer? For us to spend more time together?”
Isabel couldn’t think of what to say. Her heart restarted painfully and she gripped her gown, trying not to let him see the chaotic emotions roiling inside her at his words.
Oh heavens, I’ve become smitten with my guardian!
“I would certainly enjoy that, Your Grace,” she responded, grateful her voice sounded normal. “I’ve been wanting to get to know you better for a while now and when you sent word of your near arrival, I grew excited.”
“Is that so?”
“I even prepared the dining room for when you arrived, so we could have dinner together. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen.”
“We should have it one night, then.”
“Your Grace?”
“I’ll tell Thomas to prepare everything the way it had been that day and we can pretend that the accident didn’t happen at all.”
Isabel laughed without thought. “That might be a bit hard to do, seeing that you’re sitting in a Bath chair, Your Grace.”
“Perhaps when I’m wheeled into the room, yes,” he said with a mirthful smile of his own. “But once I am at the table, it won’t look any different than when I have two functioning legs.”
“Then, I’ll look forward to it.” She smiled at him, unable to hold it back, and was happy to see him return it with full force. That was the only bit of himself that she could see clearly, the smile. Everything else was hidden behind those light brown eyes of his, which had confusion swirling within her.
I shouldn’t feel this way…but is it really so bad?
Chapter Eight
That question followed her throughout the next few weeks, even though she spent most of her time by the Duke’s side. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to believe that it was all right to feel like this.
It was new, it was exciting, and it was stirring thoughts within her that she’d never had before.
Even now, as she watched James wheel the Duke toward his bedchamber, where he would rest before it was time for dinner, Isabel wanted nothing more than to run after him.
Will he mind if I stayed in his room with him another night?
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Isabel banished it, her cheeks growing hot. Of course, he would mind! It was one thing to stay with him while he was battling a fever, but to be with him while he was quite fine—Isabel was shocked she even considered it.
But as she stood there watching him go, the urge grew so overwhelming that she was forced to turn away from the sight before she acted foolishly. At this point, Isabel knew that her face was bright red and she hurried toward her chambers as quickly as she could, Elisa close on her heels.
Once the heavy doors were closed behind her, Isabel collapsed onto the bed with a hefty sigh.
“Would you like me to get you a cold rag for your face, Miss Isabel?” Elisa asked from her spot at the door.
“Do you think he noticed, Elisa?” Isabel asked suddenly, sitting up.
“Noticed what, Miss Isabel?” Elisa asked, cocking her head to the side in question.
“How smitten I am! Oh goodness, this is incredibly inappropriate, isn’t it? I cannot develop feelings for my guardian. Yet, no matter how much I tell myself that, these past few weeks make me feel the complete opposite!”
Elisa’s silence was loud.
Is she judging me?
Isabel knew that was a foolish thing to ask herself, because Elisa would never judge her for such a thing.
Finally, Elisa said, “Of course you can, Miss. It’s normal to go through such a thing at least once in your life. And His Grace is quite the handsome gentleman.”
“Isn’t he?” Happy now that Elisa had inadvertently given her blessing—that was how she interpreted her remark—Isabel fell back onto the bed once again. “Why didn’t I notice just how handsome he was before?”
Though it wasn’t a question that really needed an answer, Elisa gave one nonetheless, “Now that you two have actually come into close contact with each other, I reckon you’re seeing things you didn’t see before.”
“Like the fact that he laughs so easily,” Isabel said. She stared at the ceiling but she didn’t see it. She saw the Duke’s face instead, from his surprised chestnut eyes to his brown hair rustling gently in the wind during their turn through the gardens. “I would have never guessed that he could be such a mellow person.”
“Neither would I, Miss.”
“And he is so intelligent! Of course, that’s expected, seeing that he’s spent so much time in school and takes care of the estates under his charge so effortlessly.”
“As are you, Miss.”
Isabel waved her hand instantly. She didn’t care to talk about herself. She wanted to talk about the Duke more, unable to keep the creeping smile off her face.
Does he feel the same way?
Isabel couldn’t tell. Unlike her, the Duke hid his emotions well. Or rather, she got the feeling that he didn’t show anything he didn’t want to. His mirth, his surprise—those he allowed her to see. Everything else was tucked away.
Will he open up to me one day?
Isabel didn’t know the answer to that but she was excited to find out.
The hours passed much too slowly for her liking. She paced around her large room, trying to find something to pass the time but unable to keep her mind off the Duke. She wanted to see him again and dinner time couldn’t come quickly enough.
Eagerly, Isabel and Elisa picked out her gown for dinner way ahead of schedule and she sat down to do her hair much earlier than she needed to. But even then, she was forced to wait in her room until it was time to go downstairs.
As soon as Isabel set foot outside her bedchamber, on her way to the dining room, her heart began to flutter with nervousness.
Will he notice the effort I put into how I look? I hope he appreciates it.
She hoped to see desire in his expression when he saw her. Or at least a compliment that went deeper than the usual politeness that was expected.
But there was undoubtedly excitement mixed in with the anxiousness and Isabel willed it off her face before she entered the room.
The Duke was already settled in at the head of the table. To her happy surprise, the room had been decorated in the exact same manner she had decorated it on the evening of his arrival. She couldn’t keep the smile off her face as she made her way toward her seat and she was happy to see him return it. Since they’d spoken about her efforts the day of his arrival quite some time ago, she had thought he had forgotten.
“Do you like it, Miss Isabel?” he asked.
“I should be asking you that, Your Grace. This was all done for you, after all.”
“Well, in that case, I find it dreadfully overdone.”
/>
Isabel froze, her jaw falling open. Shock rocked her body and she could only stare at him, not knowing what to say.
Then he threw his head back and laughed. “Forgive me, Miss Isabel,” he said in between chuckles. “I couldn’t help myself. And I must say, that was exactly the reaction I was hoping for.”
“I didn’t know you could be so cruel, Your Grace,” she said.
“There’s no need to worry. I absolutely love it. In fact, if the accident didn’t happen, I would have loved to come home to see all this.”
Daring Deeds 0f A Forbidden Duchess (Steamy Historical Regency Romance) Page 5
