Free What the Fates Decree: The Caversham Chronicles-The Titans of the Revolution by Sandy Raven

His striking silvery-blue eyes were warm and friendly, softening the brow, and his wide, square jaw made that smile feel genuine to her.
    Gowrey? He was going to make this an interesting stay in the country. But how was he going to make Penelope better? As the introductions continued, Isabel learned that Gowrey was Doctor Alan Wallace Gowrey, physician at the Royal Hospital in Edinburgh, and cousin to the earl.
    They were then introduced to Lady Edgar and Miss Olivia Gordon, the older woman she now understood was the countess’ daughter-in-law, aunt to Miss Olivia Gordon, and sponsor for her Edinburgh season.
    “I have been more than a sponsor to my niece,” Lady Edgar intoned in a voice that was most irritating to the ears. A more high pitched, scratchy whine she’d never heard in her life. “Haven’t I, my darling girl?” Turning to Isabel and Charlotte, she added, “She has been my solitary focus for the past two years, preparing her for her season as her mother, God rest her, would have done had she survived.”
    Olivia was behind Lady Edgar, standing next to Marcus, and she rolled her eyes at the girls, where her aunts and grandmother could not see. The act caused a tiny giggle to escape Isabel, which she immediately covered with a cough. She shouldn’t laugh at such childish actions, but it was so perfectly timed that she couldn’t help herself.
    Isabel glanced up at her brother, almost a foot taller than she, and she noticed something different about him. He stood a little straighter and—oh, goodness!—he stared at the petite blonde with a soft smile she’d not seen on his face since… since he fancied himself in love with Miss Anne Tipton.
    And that was when Isabel realized Marcus was taken by the little vixen. She was betrothed to another man, and her very own brother was charmed by her. Oh, this was going to be a very interesting month.
    While Lady Adina, aunt Beverly, and Charlotte discussed the month ahead, Isabel tried to keep up with both groups of conversations. The more she listened to Miss Olivia speak, the more Isabel thought she sounded incredibly self-centered and vain—which begged the question… what was wrong with her brother?
    She would have to take a moment to speak privately with him later, after dinner perhaps, and remind him of the other girl’s soon-to-be announced marital status. Being betrothed was as good as being married. While Isabel didn’t know if any contracts were signed, just the fact that Lady Edgar had assumed it was a true betrothal so much that she put it in a letter to Aunt Beverly, meant that the girl was as good as wed.
    A footman called for dinner, and being the only titled gentleman in the building, Marcus offered Lady Adina his arm, and escorted their hostess into the dining hall. Lady Edgar and Aunt Beverly followed close behind them. Charlotte followed on the arm of Doctor Gowrey. Isabel and Miss Olivia walked behind them to the room across the foyer where an opulent display of china, crystal, and gold flatware was set at one end of table that was easily forty feet long.
    “I’m so glad you were all able to make grandmother’s birthday celebration,” the young miss said. “And you shouldn’t feel obliged to hunt if you’d rather not. I don’t. Can’t abide it myself.”
    “Thank you, but my friends and I…”
    “I know my cousin Penelope is mad for the hunt, as is her mother, and Lady Camden is renowned for her skills with a horse, so I assume Lady Charlotte is as well. But I was hoping I would find a kindred soul with Lord Glencairn’s sister.”
    Isabel was shocked, but her upbringing, and her years out in society taught her well how to refrain from expressing the first thoughts that came to mind.
    “I’m afraid that I am very much excited for the opportunity to ride with your grandmother during this month,” Isabel said. “My aunts have revered her for years, praising her longevity with our favorite sport.”
    “I didn’t know my Aunt