Why Dukes Say I Do Read Online Free Page B

hair was falling from its pins, and in general she felt a fright. Not that she cared what a provincial young lady who hadn’t even made her come-out thought of her, Isabella reminded herself.
    Straightening her spine, she subjected young Belinda to her own scrutiny.
    Belinda’s hair was the same deep russet as her brother’s, and it had obviously not been dressed by anyone with skill at the task. Her gown, three years out of fashion, was a passable shade of deep green but was hardly anything to boast about. It was serviceable and nothing more. But it was the young lady’s eyes that were her best feature. They were not unlike the duke’s. A startling blue that reminded Isabella of the spring sky.
    “Lady Wharton,” Belinda said eagerly, “how lovely to see you! You’ve come just in time to see the kittens.”
    Momentarily startled by the non sequitur, Isabella glanced at her host, who shrugged. “Flossie was perhaps waiting for an audience.”
    Pieces snapped into place in Isabella’s mind. “Ah, the unfortunate Flossie,” she said.
    “She loves Trevor most of all,” Belinda said, tucking her arm into Isabella’s, completely unfazed by her most standoffish manner. “He pretends not to care,” the young lady confided, “but I know he loves her, too. How can he not when she is altogether the best cat imaginable?”
    Isabella paused when she felt the duke’s hand on her arm. “Just a minute, Bel,” he said, not unkindly. “Lady Wharton has had a rather trying day. I think she’d probably rather forego a visit to Flossie’s bedside for now.”
    Belinda paused, and Isabella paused along with her, looking to the duke for guidance. “Oh dear,” Belinda said, turning to Isabella in alarm. “I am sorry. I didn’t think. Of course you won’t wish to see Flossie now.”
    “It’s no matter, Bel,” the duke said to his sister, squeezing her hand. “I’m sure Lady Wharton does not mind.” His blue gaze spoke more loudly than his voice.
    “Certainly not,” Isabella said quickly. “And I should very much like to see the kittens tomorrow.”
    Relief shone in the young lady’s eyes. “Thank you, Lady Wharton,” she said gratefully. “Trevor, I must get back to Flossie. You will come up and see her before you retire for the night, won’t you?”
    The duke nodded. “Of course.”
    When Belinda had gone, Trevor led Isabella up the stairs. She followed along, though she knew that showing her to her room was an office that a footman or maid should perform. Clearly the duke had much to learn about being ducal.
    “Belinda is my youngest sister,” he said, leading Isabella down a rather well-appointed hallway. “She is convinced that her cat holds me in great affection.”
    Isabella could hear the amusement in his tone even as a thread of steel sounded behind it. “I realize that you will be returning to London quite soon,” he said, “but I would appreciate it if you would not subject my sisters to your reason for being here.”
    Isabella, who had been trying her best not to notice how strong his arm felt beneath her hand, glanced over. “Why ever not?” she asked, realizing that her fatigue had dulled her intelligence. Of course his sisters would be a means of convincing him to return to London with her.
    “I think you know why not,” he said fiercely. “They have no concept of what life as sisters to the Duke of Ormonde would be like. Whereas now they enjoy a rather easy existence in the country, a trip to London and exposure to its excesses would change their lives irrevocably.”
    “Don’t you think they should be able to make that choice for themselves?” Isabella demanded, as they paused before an open door.
    “They are thirteen and seventeen,” the duke said, his expression hard. “They are too young to make that decision for themselves. As their guardian, it is up to me to decide what’s best for them. And for now, I choose to remain in the country.”
    Deciding that this battle was