Ice Angel (8 page)

A
FTERWARDS
, Isabella sat alone in her room; her emotions, repressed for six long years, were now chaotic.

She had tried to use an ill-judged prejudice to fight her attraction to Lord Bramwell, but, having glimpsed the real man behind the reckless Corinthian that society thought him, Isabella admitted that she had failed. Through his kindness to Dominic, his sense of humour, his intelligence and his warmth, he had found his way relentlessly into her thoughts and dreams, and into her heart. Attraction jumped across the space between them like a lightning bolt whenever he came into the room. She had only known him a few weeks, but her feelings for Hal bore no resemblance to the temperate regard she had once felt for Edward Vane; it was like comparing fire with ice.

And now she must deal with the consequences. While she might be attracted to Lord Bramwell, she was afraid to trust him. Isabella’s lack of trust had been hewn from the painful ravages of her marriage and it could not be dismantled easily, but his words today had lit a spark of hope, and she needed to discover what lay behind them. If Hal was everything he appeared to be then perhaps the prize was worth the risk. If he was not, then she must escape from London before too much damage was done, even though the thought of opening up the deepest part of her soul and thereby risking it being split asunder made her feel sick with apprehension.

What would Hal say when he knew the circumstances surrounding Edward’s death? Would he believe her account of that fateful night, or would he judge her harshly? The terror she had endured was still vivid in her memory, as was her shock and revulsion. Touching a small scar on her right hand, a shudder ran through her – it was a tiny, but tangible reminder of those terrible hours. Isabella knew the truth and was not ashamed of it, but it would take all her courage to reveal what had happened.

She needed to be certain that Hal was an honourable,
trustworthy
man; she could not afford another error of judgement because Dominic’s future also depended on her decision.

Isabella sat with these thoughts and was so engrossed that she jumped when Mary came in to light the candles; dusk was already creeping into the room and she had not realized it had grown late.

Across Mayfair in Half Moon Street, Lady Portland was inspecting her new gown. She twirled this way and that in front of the full-length mirror in her dressing-room, pleased with what she saw. The diaphanous cloth which sparkled in the candlelight clung to her figure, the low-cut bodice displaying her breasts to advantage. If such a gown did not break Hal’s resolve then she really was losing her touch. She watched her reflection smile artfully; she was enjoying the challenge and considered it only a matter of time before he agreed to an affair.

She had intentionally run her hand over Hal’s arm when they met in Hyde Park and that brief contact had left her shivering with restless anticipation. Having made discreet enquiries about his movements, she had now contrived several meetings but this was not enough – she wanted to see Hal alone,
somewhere
she could remind him of the delights hinted at eight years ago and which were now his for the taking.

Julia’s forthcoming ball was the talk of London and although Lady Bramwell would never send her an official invitation, Felicity planned to attend anyway with her friend Lady Cumberland. Etiquette and propriety could go to the devil if they prevented her from snatching a few moments alone with Hal.

Portland would not notice her absence; he went to his club every evening and Felicity had even had to insist that he reserve a box at Drury Lane on Friday instead of going to Watier’s again. However, she knew she would soon welcome Portland being away from home as it would provide her with more opportunities to enjoy Hal’s virile company. She smiled, this time with satisfaction, as she began to search her jewel box for a necklace and ear-rings to match her gown.

‘I wonder why Hal decided to book a box for us at the theatre?’ asked Julia, as she sat waiting for her brother in the drawing-room.

‘It is rather odd,’ mused Lady Bramwell. ‘He was most
particular
that it must be tonight too.’

‘Perhaps this has something to do with Isabella – Hal seems animated recently.’

‘I had noticed.’ Marguerite looked at her daughter and added, ‘I have also noticed that you have been subdued since Freddy’s visit.’

Julia gave a weak smile, but said quietly, ‘We quarrelled and it was partly my fault. I – I want to apologize and have sent Freddy a note asking him to call.’

‘I’m afraid it must wait a little longer, Julia: Hal tells me that Freddy has gone to the Newmarket races. He was in high dudgeon, it seems, and wanted no company.’

‘He did not tell me he was leaving town,’ said Julia, startled at this news.

‘If you have quarrelled, that might explain his sudden
departure
.’ Lady Bramwell had a good idea of what had passed between her daughter and Mr Isherwood; Julia was a vivacious but headstrong girl and Freddy was as much in love and jealous as any young man could be. She studied Julia from under her lashes, and continued, ‘However, he will definitely be attending your ball next week. Hal made him promise to be there so you can speak to him then.’

Julia’s expression brightened. ‘I am relieved to hear it – I dreaded hearing that he would not come.’

Hal, who came into the room at that moment, raised his brows in surprise on seeing his sister. ‘So you are here already, Julia. I thought you would need at least another hour to finish dressing – indeed, I was sure we would miss the first act.’

Julia was obliged to laugh. ‘Wretch! I am quite ready, as you see.’

‘What is a sister for, if not to tease a little?’ replied Hal, wryly. He kissed his mother on the cheek and said, ‘Do not wait up. We will be late, so you shall hear our review tomorrow.’

‘Enjoy your evening and take care to acknowledge everyone of our acquaintance,’ said Lady Bramwell.

They set off for Drury Lane, and Hal was not surprised to see the crush of people there. The theatres provided another arena for social display, and the play usually came a poor second to the gossip. Hal had no time for the flirting and chatter that were, for most of the
ton
, an essential accompaniment to the
performance
, but he wanted to be here this evening after overhearing that Sir Seymour had booked a box. He was desperate to see Isabella again and also admitted that he was jealous of Dinny enjoying her company.

Hal had suffered moments of doubt in the last two days. He meant every word that he had said to Isabella, but he was afraid that he had spoken out too soon. She might even refuse to see or speak to him again, a situation he could not bear to contemplate because she had become integral to his life. However, he could not help declaring a little of how he felt and hoped that in doing so he had not frightened her away. Isabella was like a spring flower emerging in the sun; some terrible hurt had caused her to retreat from the world and now her feelings were slowly beginning to unfurl.

He and Julia went through the entrance hall and climbed the elegant staircase to find their box. Chandeliers hung from the domed roof, illuminating the crowded pit and, as they took their seats and waited for the performance to begin, Julia scanned the faces among the audience. She tipped her head in acknowledgement to a few and suffered the openly admiring glances of the men in the pit before suddenly clutching Hal’s arm.

‘Why, there is Isabella, Harriet and Sir Seymour,’ she said in surprise, looking at a nearby box, and then smiling and waving. ‘Look, Hal! Dinny is wearing the most extraordinary pink and yellow waistcoat and his shirt points are so starched that he can hardly turn his head.’ Julia laughed. ‘He rivals our most famous dandies this evening and if he were not such a pleasant fellow, he would be a complete figure of fun! Oh, and Isabella looks so beautiful in that gown – but how on earth did Dinny persuade her to attend the theatre? I was never so surprised to see—’ She stopped and turned to stare accusingly at her brother. ‘You knew she would be here, didn’t you?’

Hal gave his sister a guilty look. ‘I should have told you that there was an ulterior motive, Julia.’

‘You don’t need to apologize,’ she replied, eyes twinkling. ‘Isabella is the dearest girl and I am anxious to speak to her myself.’ Her expression changed when she glanced across to the occupants of the adjoining box. ‘Oh! But there is someone else here who you may not wish to see – Lady Portland and her husband are sitting next to us. We must acknowledge them, I suppose, but I hope that she will not think of coming to our box! How does she contrive to be at almost every event where we are?’ Julia acknowledged Lady Portland’s greeting before looking away quickly.

Hal, his annoyance evident in his brooding expression and his rigid shoulders, observed Felicity Portland smiling at him seductively. Damn the woman! Had she no restraint in her manner?

Isabella, who had been half-listening to Sir Seymour’s
conversation
with Harriet on the relative merits of comedies and tragedies, started in surprise when she saw Julia and Hal. She had not considered exactly what she would say to Hal when she met him again. Now he was here and would no doubt come to their box in the interval. How could she begin to explain her hopes, her fears and the state of her heart to him? She was apprehensive, yet also exhilarated at being near him once more. At least, thought Isabella, I feel alive again since meeting him, and she revelled in the sensations coursing through her as he smiled in greeting.

Sir Seymour cut across her thoughts by announcing that the play was about to begin. Edmund Kean’s reputation as a fine Shakespearean actor was well deserved and he had been hailed as remarkable since his debut as Shylock the previous year. Isabella was surprised to discover that his stature was small, but his portrayal of tragic emotions was masterly. However, in spite of the magic Kean was weaving on the stage, Isabella found herself under a different spell. Her eyes wandered constantly back to Hal. Whenever he looked at her and smiled, she
reciprocated
and consequently spent most of the first act with a smile on her lips and fighting to contain relentless waves of desire.

Isabella had also noticed the strikingly beautiful redhead in the box next to Hal’s. She was dressed in a satin gown which clung to her voluptuous figure, and was watching Hal in such an openly admiring and speculative way that it made Isabella blush. She wondered if the older man who was the lady’s companion was indeed her husband, since he made no attempt to curb her provocative behaviour, or even seemed to notice it. Isabella had no idea who the lady was and what connection, if any, she had with Hal.

The first act complete, the interval had barely begun when Hal and Julia appeared in Isabella’s box.

After uttering a general greeting, Hal added, ‘Are you enjoying the performance?’

‘Yes, very much,’ said Harriet. ‘Sir Seymour has been most informative; he is a keen patron of the theatre, you know.’

Sir Seymour gave a self-deprecating cough. ‘Always happy to support artistic endeavour even though my health precludes too many late evenings.’

‘How charming you look this evening,’ cried Julia, as she clasped Isabella’s hands. ‘You must have been quizzed by all the men in the pit.’

‘They mean no real harm,’ explained Hal. ‘It is common practice to ogle the ladies in the boxes and meanwhile, the dowagers will take note of what you are wearing, your jewellery and even try to guess what we are speaking of at this moment.’

Isabella laughed at this. ‘Gracious! I thought I was visiting the theatre, not undergoing an inspection.’

‘Have you and Mrs Forster received your invitations to my ball?’ asked Julia.

‘We have, thank you, and—’

‘You are coming?’ interjected Julia anxiously.

‘—we will be most happy to attend,’ concluded Isabella, with a smile.

‘And you too, of course, Sir Seymour,’ said Julia.

‘Indeed!’ he said, nodding as much as his shirt points would allow. ‘The new waltz may be beyond my constitution, but I should be able to enjoy one or two country dances.’

Some conversation on the excellence of the play followed until Julia said, ‘Hal, we had best return to our box – the second act is due to begin.’ Opening a silk and ivory fan, she fanned herself and observed, ‘Goodness, the heat in here is stifling!’

As Julia was taking her leave of Harriet and Sir Seymour, Hal moved to Isabella’s side and whispered earnestly, ‘I came here tonight to see you and to ask if you will accompany me on a drive in the park tomorrow afternoon, Isabella.’

Answering from the heart, she murmured her agreement. He nodded, a gleam of pleasure in his eyes, before kissing her hand and joining his sister outside. Isabella knew there was no turning back now – falling in love with Hal would be easy, but it would be far more difficult for her to trust him. Time would be needed for that trust to grow and to tell him about her past, but, for the first time since the death of her father, she felt cared for and protected. Colour rushed to her cheeks as she recalled the touch of his lips against her skin.

‘Julia was right – it is hot in here,’ she remarked, ‘I’ll step outside for a moment where the air is a little cooler.’

‘Would you like me to accompany you, Lady Vane?’ enquired Sir Seymour politely.

‘No, thank you. I only intend to go a little way.’

Isabella opened the door and stepped out into the passageway. She paced to and fro for a moment, fanning her heated complexion and glancing at the people hurrying to take their seats. Suddenly, she halted; further down the passage and unaware that they were being watched, were Hal and the striking redhead whom Isabella had noticed earlier.

The lady was so close to Hal that her hair brushed his shoulder and she smiled as she tilted her head in a coquettish manner. Isabella could not see Hal’s expression, nor could she hear any conversation, but she watched as one of the lady’s hands reached up to caress his cheek. Then, his strong fingers covered the small hand and curled around it. Shocked, Isabella turned away quickly and returned to her box.