Duke of Decadence (Lords of Scandal 9)

He winced at that. The world could be so cruel. “You did.”

“Think on what I asked you about. I can’t live with the idea that Isabella’s given up her future. If you can think of a better plan, please let me know.” Then she turned and started down the alley.

“Where are you going?”

“Home. We’ve got a party tonight.” She waved goodbye.

“How will you get there?” he called back. Eliza was too much, sometimes.

“I’ll be fine,” she said and then disappeared.

“That one is trouble,” he muttered as he made his way inside.

But he didn’t go to bed. Not right away. Because as much as he hated to admit it, Eliza’s plan for Isabella was a good one. And it would kill him.

Chapter Ten

Isabella stood next to her sisters watching the array of dancers swirl by in their stunning gowns.

She slid her palms down her gown. The pale pink was the most beautiful color she’d ever seen, and it highlighted her brown hair and eyes exquisitely. She’d always assumed her coloring to be boring and drab but in this pink…

The dress fit perfectly, highlighting her narrow waist and slender curves.

Isabelle glanced up and her gaze clashed with a certain duke’s. Her breath caught. Always handsome, in his evening attire he was breathtaking.

Her heart stopped for just a moment and then sped up as he crossed the room coming directly toward them.

Aunt Mildred dropped into a deep curtsy “Your Grace.”

Her sisters all followed suit.

Emily snapped open her fan to hide her giggle while Abigail openly ogled Bash. Eliza gave their sister a nudge in the ribs with her elbow. Isabella blinked to realize that the man who’d played such a large part of her life and her fantasies had never met her two younger sisters.

Which made her sad.

If he’d been her beau…

But he wasn’t, she chastised herself. She was the woman who posed as a man to make him money.

And in return, he was the man who would help her sisters find husbands.

Aunt Mildred linked her arm with Bash’s. “May I present my nieces.” She went down the row making the introductions as several other men looked on. What was it about a duke that brought so much attention?

Isabella straightened her spine. “Everyone smiling?” she asked. The sooner her sisters married, the sooner this would all be over.

“Yes. You’ve asked that three times already,” Emily answered, but she dutifully pulled her lips up into something that resembled a smile.

“You look like the devil has taken you.” Abigail rolled her eyes. “Relax your face, Emily. No man wants a wife who looks possessed by the devil.”

Bash chuckled as he eyed the ring of circling men.

Emily huffed. “This all feels unnatural.”

“It’s the most natural thing in the world,” Aunt Mildred answered. “Women have been finding husbands this way for centuries.”

“Have you actually confirmed that fact?” Abigail asked with a cheeky grin.

Isabella ignored her sisters, her gaze still locked with Bash’s. She saw him grin as his gaze flicked to her sisters and then back to her.