Portrait of Love_A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Abby Ayles

Author:Abby Ayles [Ayles, Abby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-08-07T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

“Joanna. You must tell me why you would say those things about Duke Colbourn when you are so obviously taken with Lord Gilbert.” She leaned forward with one hand and placed it on the table, ignoring the fact that the rest of their group had entered the café and taken a different table, their eyes fixed on the two girls in the corner.

“Joanna, you know that I am interested in the Duke. Are you trying to hurt me?”

She tried to read the look on Joanna’s face. It seemed a mixture of guilt and bitterness. “I am not trying to hurt you, Annabelle,” the girl said in a low voice.

“Then why would you say such things.”

Joanna looked down, her cheeks turning red. “I… have you thought that what I have said might be true?”

Annabelle shook her head. “You know your words are not true. You should tell the duke and duchess they are not true. You know it is not possible. He was not near you long enough to do such things. Not without being seen nor heard.”

Joanna shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She refused to meet Annabelle in the eye. Annabelle stared at her for what seemed like an hour but was really only a few minutes.

“I am disappointed, Joanna,” Annabelle’s voice dropped almost to a whisper. “I am so disappointed.”

Without another thought, Annabelle stood up and walked out of the café. She did not know where she was going and she prayed God would send Julia after her. She felt stifled in the café and did not want to be there anymore.

She did not walk quickly. She knew Julia would be catching up with her in a few moments.

True to form, her friend hurried up beside her and slowed her pace to walk with her. “Annabelle, what did you say to Joanna? She is crying in the café.”

“I simply asked her for the truth. She refused to give it to me.”

“She is very stubborn, the poor dear. She does not want to admit to anything.” Julia’s voice was sad. She slipped her arm through Annabelle’s and they walked together in silence for a few minutes, enjoying the fresh air.

“I apologize for leaving that way, Julia,” Annabelle finally said. “It felt like I was being suffocated in a box.”

Julia shook her head. “I was not willing to spend much more of my time with the Lords Balfour.”

“I would like to go home, if I am honest with you,” Annabelle said.

Julia nodded. “I know. You want to talk to Duke Colbourn. He is bound to be back by now. The Duke and Duchess will have talked to him already.”

Annabelle pulled in a breath. “Yes. They have had plenty of time to talk to him.”

“You must stay calm. He will not be angry with you. I am sure of it. He will be wondering how you are feeling about it. If he does not mention it, you know he is not interested in your opinion. But he will ask.”

Annabelle looked down at her friend’s slender, pale face.

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