It was Tomas Hurley. He was the brother of a duke, the beloved Edward Hurley, who was a business acquaintance of her father. But unlike, the Duke, Tomas was rather disagreeable. He had an unpleasant look on his face.
Isabeau’s heart hardened instantly, and she pulled back a little, not wanting to be too close to him until she had to be. He was on her card and she had forgotten it. She probably didn’t want to remember. He had a strange fascination with her, and if she could have avoided the invitation, she definitely would have. But her mother had insisted that both the Duke and his brother would be on her card, whether or not she liked them. They were prominent in society and must not be shunned.
She watched as Tomas Hurley passed the Earl. Both men nodded once and said the first name of the other. There was no love lost between them. She wasn’t surprised. She took a few steps toward the door, hoping to avoid having to speak to him but he was coming straight for her.
She curtsied when he got closer. “Mr Hurley. How are you feeling this evening?”
“I’m doing well.” His voice was somewhat high-pitched, reminding her of what she felt a weasel would sound like if it could talk. “I saw that Earl Barnaby had to go in search of you before the last dance. I hope you will see to it that I do not have to do the same.”
“I…I do believe there is another gentleman before you on my dance card,” she said hesitantly. She didn’t want to dance with him in the first place, much less go out of her way to make sure she was present on time.
“Precisely why I came to find you. I have told you previously of my fondness for you. It looks somewhat inappropriate for you to be dancing with another man on the veranda where no one else is present.”
Isabeau blinked. It was true that he had expressed his desire to see her more often, and he had come by the house on occasion to make it clear to her family, as well. But they knew she had no affection for him, which doubled her frustration that her mother had insisted Tomas Hurley be on her dance card.
“I…am sorry that you feel that way, Mr Hurley. If you would like to cancel your dance with me because of this blight, I would understand.” She could only wish. She knew he would answer the way he did.
“No, I am still willing to dance with you. You will just have to curb your desire to stray when you don’t believe you are being seen.”
Isabeau felt rage surge through her. Outwardly, she curtsied again and smiled at him as she went past. She dared not say a word or her anger would betray her. She wondered if she could run out the door before her dance with him and make it home before he could sound an alarm. She could barely contain her anger, and it ruined the dance with Lord Carlisle, who was next on her card. He was friendly, but she could do no more than fake a smile and dread the moment she would be dancing with Mr Hurley.
There was a ten-minute break before the last two dances. Isabeau spent that time standing to the side with Anne, wishing she had the courage just to leave. If it hadn’t been for the Duke, Tomas Hurley’s agreeable brother, she would have. She knew it meant a lot to be on the Duke’s good side and if that meant dancing with his brother, then so be it.
The time was almost upon her. She felt pressured, anxious.
“Oh, I am not going to like this dance, Anne.” She moaned. Anne took her hand and squeezed it.
“I know. I didn’t enjoy my dance with him either. He is very cold and goes through the motions as if I was a big doll of some kind. He only has eyes for you and that is a sad situation for you, my dear.”
“I know. It is extremely troublesome. I fear what he might do when he realizes I am not going to marry him. I don’t even want to dance with him.”
Anne nodded. “I understand. It’s only a short while. Then you will be free of him.”
“But for how long? Until he comes knocking at my door again?” She shook her head and sighed.
“Here he comes,” Anne said, dropping her eyes. “Stay calm and just dance, Izzie.”
Chapter Two
From the moment he had her in his arms, Mr Hurley was forceful and firm. He moved her around the dance floor instead of dancing with her. His movements were jerky, and he stomped his feet instead of moving them gracefully. She understood Anne’s analogy of a feeling like a doll. It was not easy to keep up with him.
When he began to talk to her, his words distracted her from his terrible dancing.
“I have been meaning to speak to your father, Lady Isabeau. I intend to ask for your hand. I believe you know that I have been feeling this way since the beginning of the Season.”
“I do,” she admitted, not knowing how to stop the conversation.
“When I speak to him, I would rather you be present so that you can be in agreement with me.”
“I…”
“I know that you have a busy schedule, but I’m sure you can free up some of your time. You will also need to inform any other suitors, such as Jonathan Barnaby, of your intentions so that there will be no more inappropriate behaviors on your part.”
“Mr Hurley…”