“You should call me Tomas, Isabeau. That is appropriate when courting.”
“Mr Hurley!” Isabeau forced herself to continue dancing and kept her voice down to a low hiss. “I am so sorry that you have gotten the wrong impression about my feelings for you. I have not agreed to court or marry you and cannot give my agreement to my father on your behalf.”
She saw his jawline tense up and was amazed that he continued dancing. He responded in an equally low and angry voice. “I have made my intentions clear to you for several weeks. You have not spurned my advances until now.”
“I do apologize that you didn’t listen to me when we spoke on the previous occasions. In reality, Mr Hurley, and with all due respect, I have indeed let you know that I have no intention of marrying a man I do not love.”
“You will learn to love me.”
“I’m sorry, Lord, but I do not believe that is possible.”
His grip on her waist was so tight; it was beginning to hurt. The hand that he was holding was also caught in his strength. She began to breathe quickly, trying to ignore the pain.
“I do not like to be disrespected, Isabeau.”
“Please, you are hurting me.”
“My family is very prominent in this district, as you well know. I am sure your mother and father would take my side in this arrangement.”
He had not relaxed his grip on her, and she feared he might break her hand if she didn’t wrench away from him soon.
“My parents are fully aware of my feelings. Again, I am sorry that you feel this way and please, you are hurting my hand.”
The music came to an abrupt end, and she felt a rush of relief. She pulled away from him, looked at him through fearful eyes and retreated back to the table she and Anne were sharing. His returning stare had been cold and angry. She was breathing rapidly when she reached the table and sat in the chair, once again pulling out her fan and waving it quickly in front of her face.
Anne was there only moments later and leaned down next to her friend.
“Izzie! You look very flushed. Back out on the veranda for you, come now, dear.” She took Isabeau’s arm and pulled her to her feet.
“I am very hot, Anne. And I am angry. I think I might faint.”
“No, we can’t let that happen. Come on.” Anne led Isabeau out onto the veranda and this time, they walked in the other direction. Several iron benches had been placed there in a semi-circle. Anne lowered Isabeau to sit and then sat next to her.
“What has happened to you, Izzie? You must tell me! Was he cruel to you?”
“He expects me to marry him. He says he will ask my father for my hand.”
“There is little chance your father would agree to such a union!” Anne sounded confident. “Your father is not the type of man to sell his daughter to the highest bidder!”
Isabeau’s thoughts drifted to Mr Hurley’s brother, the Duke, Edward. “The Duke has great status. I fear he will be angry with me.”
Anne grabbed one of Isabeau’s small hands in both of hers and rubbed it gently. “No. I hear that the Duke doesn’t even like his brother. And haven’t you danced with Edward already?”
“Yes, I have.”
“Then you don’t have to worry, do you. He did not treat you badly, did he?”
“Of course not. But he…”
“I don’t want to hear it now. You just calm your heart, dear, and pay no mind to Tomas Hurley. We have just one dance left before we go home to our beds. And tomorrow will be another bright and beautiful day, won’t it? We should go for a picnic, how does that sound?”
Isabeau smiled at her. “I like that, Anne, let’s do that.”
“It’s a date.” Anne leaned over and pulled Isabeau into a hug. Checking her dance card, Isabeau saw that there were two more dances, not one, as Anne had said. She stood up and took Lord Wright’s hand when he offered it to her, glad that her smile could be genuine. She wanted to relax from her anger and tension. Lord George Wright was an older gentleman and a splendid dancer. She was able to relax and enjoy herself, chatting with him about the weather and several mutual friends. He even told her a few jokes, making her laugh easily.
When the dance was finished, he bowed to her and said he enjoyed her company. She agreed, and they turned away from each other. As she made her way back to the table once more, she passed Jonathan Barnaby and smiled at him.
“Hello again,” she said.
He didn’t return her smile, giving her a cold look instead, one that reminded her of Tomas Hurley. She stopped in her tracks and stared at him, not expecting the onslaught that was to come.