A GUIDE TO COURTSHIP

Ca

t Lady

his letter fi

I have spent more time hunting in the woods and under many other holes all

e estate when news of rainfall from aboveground would come. I believe it

it feel

ur

ll

*

ntirely aware of the amused glances following her. They were waiting for wh

ssion to frustrate an elusiv

rt. But then, it was quite helping her cause. They did not judge her as a desperate woman out to seduce a lord, but merely a naïve girl having fun.

ught as she straightened her back and squared her shoulder

ck was

aware that he was a

e uttered in the most woman

iffen before he slowly t

naturally ruffled, as though he did try to tame them but greatly failed, his deep

e thick brows and finely shaped nose, nor was he

s nearly sinf

use at the sight of him, but because she was s

ap even more so inside than outside. She knew his favourite colour, she knew of his fear

and she wishe

smile. "Lady Ysabella," he greeted mo

saw Lady Hayward looking at t

weetly smiled. "Have you received the flowers

mayhap because som

her open

er was given instruction to do whatever

eart, my lord. I am starting to truly feel the effects, if you must know." His eye twitched as she moved closer, br

. "For one, your brothers will hang me," he

t he detested their reaction than detesting her, she thought. "They mig

r allow it," he

marry Margaret. After they be

t tell whether or not he was angry or embarrassed. Both did not seem goo

me, you know. I simply asked why you think we cannot be." She tore her gaze from him and looked around. "I have attracted attention o

me

aking the deep blue

uessed. Of course, you will not. Very well, have

*

inally turned around and walked away. His eyes followed th

find an easy woman to bed with the same dark hair, green eyes and full lips. He could not know what she was like under that heavy gown, but he was

to fill his nights. Or his future,

e with such maturity and kindness, and the woman who had showed him s

ind and heart he

erard, rich and spoiled. She grew up with naught

his mother looking at him with amusement. With a groan,

Weis was

ith fellows who cared naught for

o one of the

*

fuge from the desperate girls and their mamas in the presence of the two young ladies. For a moment

thralled with excit

and see Nicholas as a far better option. And Nicholas would soon realize th

ned to listen to the woman. "Dear, I am about ready to r

g the woman by the hand. "Stay with Aurora and Emma, brother, I c

," Lady Alice said to Aurora, Emma and Nicho

d that Aurora share the same chamber with her. Once she had deposited her mot

steps

h she would love to find him, she realized that she did not have the energy to do so. She knew wh

to do so. Mayhap it was time for her to go to bed as well?

bedchamber. She'd ring for a maid to deliver a note to her

been attending the Theobald weekend parties for three years and she had not accustomed herself to its every nook and corner

miliar that would lead her to the chambers or even the grand ballroom,

rt all over. On her way there, she heard roaring laughter coming from the corridor she passed by. It must be on

e! You will not bel

you w

Ysabella decided she must escape the woman before she trapped her into a long narrative of the latest gossips in the Town. Her latest obsession was the Ha

it open. It was a small drawing room. She slowly closed it behind her and pressed her ears to the doo

side the door. "Come, we must be very careful f

ed around the room in panic. She found a do

sabella jumped inside the closet and very

y," Lady Gedge's

his would take a very long time, she thought

verards, my dear friends,

secrets," a voice replied. "They do

ch, eloping to Tiny Town and was it true that Lady Mar

rself from bursting out of the closet and lash out on

do not have the decency to keep anything secret," Lady Gedge utte

hat is

keeping a big

have brought us here to do so. Spill

t words were preceded with such anticipation. Ysabella held her

from the other ladies muffled Ysabella's. She clamped her h

dy asked the same question that w

lated to one of the maids

u belie

e knows it would not help to repay me with lies in gossips," Lady Gedge snapped. "You do not be

we all do not know what our husba

bastard here? Surely, Lady

not know all the details, of course, as her c

The Theobalds!" a ho

t, dear. I

The Theobalds were friends of theirs.

eekend parties? Was that why he chose to live in Wi

ke this discovery taint her relationship with Samu

ons that were rather farce, making Ysabella impatient

own on the floor of the closet and curled her knees

*

e party. Wakefield and some of Nicholas' friends were forced to

rd muttered as they walked down the corridor while the others spr

ut other men in general. As a matter of fact, I believe that this disappearing act is merely done to

o comment, not enti

e advances, that girl would find herself rui

desired effects. "What do you

and I'd get what she could offer. She is young, you know. She may not be wha

me a friend as do I. As much as I do not appreciate her games, I would not condone any statements about her similar to the ones you just made.

Wakefield, I was just jesting! I would not want all Everar

keep

lf," he snapped, storm

d," he heard the ma

r," he snapped over his sh

ld continue the search. He would not wish to be the first to find her, real

t he must hel

or, he met Lady Gedge a

d! What are yo

family is worried. I am helping to fi

d, staring him down with eyes filled with meaning. "For all we know, s

Ysabella Everard had made

to her friends before speaking to him. "No, m

elf. He walked around them to continue down the

en and a woman walked out, her black gown near

d. At the back of his mind, he kn

the

kefield!" she said, her green eyes wide. But soon a smile crept up h

alking closer. He was suddenly feeling quiet enraged after every

oing back to th

e," he snapped at her. "Y

nd pulled him back into the room she had exited. She cl

aying this g

the corridor," she added, her head just inches away from his chin. She lifted her gaze

hat not a soul would think he'd do anything to her, but decided to keep silent

the door. Wakefield frowned. It was Lady Theobald. He looked down a

y I might change my mind

h you, truly," Lady Theobald said w

r

eturn to my room. No one will have to find me. Tell fathe

at Ysabella's hand had released him. And then s

but she glanced over her shoulder to say

ho

d did not reply. She opened the door

is hips, he waited to

ough the door, he asked, "Wh

of the room and he had no choice but to follow h

g back to the ballroom

ave forgotten he was there at al

she started for the staircase that led to the upp

unt," she said with a wick

e intend to follow Lady Theobald and t

ou can go back to the party. Tell them I am

around. There w

g to just someone who was a guest in the party. The woman addressed Lo

d had reached t

ath before he ran up th

right while he fol

he let himself do this with this woman? Ha! He was f

where they went,"

she hiss

own the corrido

Ysabella and Wakefield jumped to their feet and whirled arou

glaring at them both, obviously