Revisit the Past: Regency Historical Romance (Society of Swans Book 3) by Penny Fairbanks

Author:Penny Fairbanks [Fairbanks, Penny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2024-08-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Exhilaration and blazing lamplight flooded every corner of Isabel’s mind as she disembarked from the boat on the bank outside Vauxhall Gardens, her hand secure in Papa’s. No matter how many times she visited this place, its wonder never diminished.

“There we are, careful now,” said Papa as he guided Isabel over the small, slippery pebbles of the bank and up onto the walkway.

She was grateful for his stability, and Lewis’s presence at her back. Isabel could not help craning her neck to admire the colorful lanterns that lined the path toward the gate and the playfully twinkling stars above. Without her family to direct her, Isabel might have wandered all the way to the Dark Walk in her haze of astonishment.

“I do not see them,” Papa grumbled quietly as a group of recent arrivals surging toward Vauxhall absorbed them into their ranks.

The misgivings in his tone finally tore Isabel’s attention away from the lights that promised even more fantastical sights within. She glanced up at Papa from her peripheral vision and then cast her gaze about the growing gathering.

“He will be here,” Isabel answered. “I asked him to join us, so he will be here. I am certain of it.”

It was Papa’s turn to look at her curiously. Isabel did not flinch. For the first time, she was certain. She did not know how or why precisely, only that every recent meeting with Lord Murfield had revealed the thoughtfulness and sweetness that had captured her heart the first time.

As if in answer to a prayer Isabel did not realize she’d made, their steadily moving crowd slowed just before the gate. There along the wall stood Lord Murfield and Lord Wrighthall with a small group of gentlemen huddled around them.

The earl seemed to notice her in the same moment. No wave of relief came, only a feeling of rightness that had eluded her since they’d last met at the night of the musical performances. Isabel had missed him.

The light from the colored lamp hanging above them bathed Lord Murfield’s smile in a soft, lavender shadow. The earl and the baron made their farewells to their other companions.

“Good evening Messrs. Abbott, Miss Abbott,” the two gentlemen said as they wove their way into the eager throng at the gate.

“Lord Murfield. Lord Wrighthall,” said Papa. “My, what a handsome, little party we make! Shall we enjoy our mystical evening?” No trace of his earlier hesitance remained.

Lord Wrighthall valiantly stepped forward between Papa and Lewis and effortlessly engaged them both in conversation. Instinctively, the earl offered his arm to Isabel and she accepted just as naturally.

“Do my eyes deceive me or does your popularity increase every time I see you these days?” Isabel asked. She smiled up at Lord Murfield, only to find him already smiling down at her, radiant in the bold, golden glow of the lanterns surrounding them.

“I suppose so, though I still cannot fathom why,” Lord Murfield replied with a chuckle. “Eventually, they will realize that I truly have not done anything so extraordinary.

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