The next morning, Isabeau woke up with a pounding headache. She spent the entire morning nursing it, trying not to speak too much or let a lot of light into her eyes. She discussed the night before over a late breakfast her mother prepared for her. Lady Camm could only shake her head in disgust.
“That young man is vile,” she said angrily, shaking her head. “I knew that every time he came over here. Your father knows it, too. He will not give his permission for your hand to that Tomas Hurley, I promise you.”
“Oh mother, I’m so glad to hear that. I don’t know what I would do. I worry about what the Duke, his brother, will think. Do you think he will take his support from father’s business?”
Lady Camm laughed softly, bringing over a cup of hot tea and setting it down in front of Isabeau before sitting down with her own. “No, dear. The Duke is good friends with your father. Raymond had said several times that if he had a son, he would have wanted a son like Edward.”
“But the Duke’s devotion to his brother might change their relationship.” Isabeau spoke weakly, wishing she could ignore the pain in her head.
“I am told they spend very little time together when they are not destined for the same place. I do not think they are very close. It never appeared to me that he was tightly knit with Tomas.”
“I wish I knew.”
An hour later, Isabeau was feeling better. She had begun a game of cards with her mother, and they were laughing when a knock on the door got their attention. They both turned and waited to see who would be announced. The door swung open, and Hannah put her head in.
“Ladies Camm, Duke Edward Hurley is here for a visit.” She opened the door the rest of the way and showed the Duke in.
Both ladies stood up and curtsied to the Duke. He bowed to them.
“Ladies, it is good to see you on this bright morning. I do hope you have had a good day so far?”
“Yes, my Lord.” Isabeau and her mother spoke at the same time.
“Lady Camm, I believe you were a little under the weather last time I was here. I trust you are on the mend?”
“Completely mended, thank you, your Grace.” Isabeau’s mother smiled. “Please do have a seat.”
The Duke nodded and sat in a chair that was nearer to Isabeau. The women sat and tried not to stare at the Duke. He was a handsome man to say the least. He had dark brown hair that waved down to his shoulders and soft chocolate brown eyes that sparkled with good humor.
“I have come to see you this morning, Lady Isabeau, I hope that’s all right.”
“Certainly, your Grace.”
“I was witness to what transpired last night with my brother.”
Isabeau felt her heart jump up into her throat. She kneaded her hands together in her lap, nervously.
“If you don’t mind.” Her mother stood up suddenly. “I do believe I will give you young people some privacy.”
“You may stay if you would like, Victoria. I do not push people out of their own homes.”
“No, I would be more comfortable letting you discuss this with Isabeau.”
“All right.” He stood up as she went to the door. When she passed through it, he sat back down, looking at Isabeau once more. “As I was saying, I was there last night and saw what happened with Tomas.”
“I do apologize, your Grace, I was not aware that he would…that he would…”
“Make up fiction and tell stories about you behind your back?” The Duke supplied the words. Isabeau looked down at her hands and nodded. “You must not feel sorry about it for even a moment longer, Isabeau. No one with any substance believes a word that my brother says. Those who know him best, know him for the liar he is.”
Isabeau closed her eyes, feeling her headache disappearing. “It relieves me to hear you say that, your Grace. I was…quite devastated last night. And Earl Barnaby…”
“My brother was quite bold with him.” The Duke interrupted her, putting one hand up in the air. “I am sure you know of his affection for you. Affection is the word he uses, but it is not my word for what he feels for you.”
“What word would you use?”
He thought for a moment. “Obsession comes to mind. Property also comes to mind. I have no doubt that he thinks of you as his property, simply because he wants you.”
Isabeau clenched her jaw, trying not to look as angry as she felt. She kept her eyes averted from the Duke, not wanting to offend him.
“You need not try to hide your disdain for my brother.” The Duke easily saw her feelings and leaned forward to speak in a softer voice. “Jonathan Barnaby is a good man, but he has been taken by women in the past because he is such a wealthy man. He is very sensitive when it comes to that issue.”
“I would never say…”
“This being your first season, he doesn’t know you very well. When you danced with him on the terrace, Tomas became very jealous. I regret that I didn’t say something about it then and stop the progression of his betrayal.”
“There is no chance now that Earl Barnaby would ever consider me, not after being told such vile things about me.”
“I have come to know Jonathan as a very forgiving and trusting man. But I have a different proposal.”