Isabella's Secret Summer by Tabetha Waite

Author:Tabetha Waite [Waite, Tabetha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tabetha Waite
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

***

Dinner was a torturous affair — at least, it was for Ridge. He noticed that Isabella had found a way to fashion the ribbon he’d bought her, a glittering reminder of their time together, but if he had to suffer one more flirtatious comment from Montgomery, he was going to call him out. He’d shot him more than one warning glare; hoping the bastard might get the message that the lady was spoken for, but other than a mocking wink in his direction, that was all the reaction Ridge had received.

So when Liverpool turned the conversation to Isabella’s family, he was glad for the distraction — until he saw the tight lines of strain starting to appear on her face.

“I’m sure you’re eager to hear news of your family,” the earl noted. “Have you heard that the Earl of Stoneville and his wife are expecting their first child this fall?”

“No, I’m afraid I haven’t.” Isabella took a sip of her wine. “But I’m very happy for my brother and I daresay I can’t wait to dote upon my new niece or nephew.”

“The countess isn’t yet in her confinement, so I have had the pleasure of conversing with them at several ton events,” Liverpool went on to say. “Of course, they were highly sympathetic about the unfortunate predicament you now find yourself in. Jeffrey expressly wished me to tell you that since you have restored the family’s good name with your marriage, they will stand beside you during the viscount’s trial.”

“That’s very… thoughtful of him.”

Ridge caught the hitch in her voice and his fists clenched under the table. It sounded like her brother was a pompous ass.

Lord Liverpool wiped his mouth with his napkin, apparently not noticing that anything was amiss, that the more he spoke, Isabella’s expression became even further downtrodden. “I took the liberty of calling on Lord and Lady Ashfield as well. Naturally, they were also concerned for your wellbeing, but your mother asked me to remind you that it was your impulsive nature that ended in this regrettable outcome, and that the whole ordeal of your elopement has them both terribly overset.”

Ridge watched as Isabella took quite a bit more than a delicate sip of her wine this time. “I should imagine Mama would have been forced to abstain from shopping on Bond Street for at least a week,” she murmured.

A slight crease formed along Liverpool’s brow as if he was in serious thought. “No, I do believe she said she remained in near isolation for at least a fortnight.”

Ridge heard Isabella snort, but their host didn’t seem to notice. And while Montgomery lifted a brow at her response, for he was as observant as Ridge, he was wise enough not to comment.

As Liverpool continued to droll on about London society, obviously under the belief that the lady cared, Ridge watched Isabella for her reaction. He noticed that she relaxed once the topic had moved away from her family, although there was still a marked tension in the set of her shoulders.

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