Free Time for a Duke by Ruth J. Hartman Page B

it looks as if we have a ways to go." She tilted her head, indicating the direction of the far wall. Charles glanced in that direction and noticed everyone staring at them.
    He chuckled. "It's just as I expected. The ton are nosier than Henrietta."
    Isabella giggled. "Is that so?"
    "It is." He inclined his head toward the curious crowd. "Shall we?"
    Isabella raised her chin. "If we must."
    Charles gave her a grin, hoping to encourage her. This was the moment they'd both been anticipating. The ton could be cruel. He just hoped they took mercy on Isabella, or at least kept their venom to themselves until later. They approached the first group, who resembled cats staring through the window of a fish market.
    "Lady Cordelia Coltrane, may I introduce Lady Isabella Hodgkin."
    Lady Cordelia tilted her head as if she were royalty. Her lips formed a barely-disguised smirk. "A pleasure to meet you, Lady Isabella."
    Isabella took a step closer. "And you as well, Lady Cordelia."
    A collective gasp rushed through the crowd. Charles knew it was because of Isabella's accent. He forced a smile he didn't feel. "Lady Isabella is from America. She's visiting relatives here in England."
    Several whispers floated upon the air.
    " Did he say America? "
    " Americans are scoundrels. "
    " They ' ve infiltrated our war with France. "
    Charles angled his head toward Isabella, knowing she heard the rude whispers as well. She cast her glance at the floor briefly before raising it back to the members of the ton . Isabella straightened her back. How proud he was of her at that moment. Most he had known would have crumbled or taken a step back at least. But not his Isabella. His? Was she? If only it were so.
    Charles took a slight step to the left, guiding Isabella to follow. "Lord Harmon Stratton, may I present Lady Isabella Hodgkin."
    Isabella held out her hand. "Lord Stratton, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance."
    "And I you, Lady Isabella." He leaned forward, took her hand, and placed a light kiss on the back of her glove. When he straightened, he darted a gaze to his left. Charles noticed Lord Stratton's wife squeeze her husband's arm none too gently. What have we here?
    Charles then pivoted toward her. "Lady Theodora Stratton, may I present Lady Isabella Hodgkin." He watched the woman carefully to see her reaction to Isabella. She narrowed her eyes, pursing her lips as if chewing a lemon. Envy? Of Isabella?
    Lady Stratton tilted her head. "Lady Isabella, what a pleasure to meet you."
    "And you as well, Lady Stratton."
    Charles and Isabella continued down the line until she'd been introduced to them all. He glanced at Isabella, making sure she was holding up under the pressure. Her eyes appeared glazed and her hands trembled. She'd had enough for the moment. Charles took her hand and leaned close. "Isabella, how about some refreshment?"
    The expression she gave him was that of a shipwrecked sailor having been rescued on the day he'd eaten his final morsel. "Thank you, Ch-your grace. That would be lovely."
    Murmurs followed them as they moved toward the refreshment tables.
    " She ' s American, did you hear? "
    " He referred to her as Lady.
    " Have you met her family? "
    Charles handed her a drink and found them places to sit. "Are you all right?"
    She nodded. "Yes. It was brutal, though. You weren't kidding about the… well, you know."
    "Yes, I do know. You were wonderful."
    "Thank you, your grace."
    Charles saw something out of the corner of his eye. After looking up to see what it was, he angled his head toward Isabella and lowered his voice to a whisper.
    "Lady Caulfield is fast approaching. She's a busybody of the first order and will stop at nothing to find out who you are and where you—"
    "Your grace!"
    Charles stood and bowed, taking the older woman's hand. "Lady Caulfield, how delightful to see you." He placed a light kiss on her glove.
    "Why thank you, your grace. But enough about us, who is this beautiful creature with you?"
    Charles