Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Daniel stood at the edge of the crowded hall, trying to look interested in the display before him. The London Exhibition was in full swing, and the ton was out in force, eager to witness the latest marvels of technology.

On any other day, Daniel might have been intrigued by the gleaming contraptions and their intricate mechanics. But today, his mind was miles away, lost in the lingering echo of a near kiss and the woman who had become the center of his world.

A brass automaton whirred to life on a raised platform nearby, drawing gasps and applause from the gathered crowd. It was an impressive machine, a mechanical man that mimicked the movements of a human with surprising fluidity. Yet Daniel found it difficult to focus on the invention or the enthusiastic explanations of its inventor.

His thoughts were with Isabella. The softness of her voice, the way her eyes had glistened with emotion when they had shared that intimate moment in the library. The promise of a future together—a future that defied all societal expectations—had been so close, only to be interrupted by Michael's well-timed entrance.

What if it could be?

The words he had spoken echoed in his mind. What if their love truly could transcend the barriers that society placed before them? It was a tantalizing thought, one that Daniel found himself clinging to despite the ever present doubts and fears that threatened to overwhelm him.

"Lord Berkshire!" a voice cut through his reverie, pulling him back to the present.

He turned to see Lady Marie weaving her way through the crowd toward him, her silk gown rustling with each purposeful step. Of course. He could not attend an event for the ton without her appearing.

"Lady Marie," Daniel greeted, offering a polite nod. He forced a smile, trying to mask his distraction. "How are you?"

"I am quite thrilled to be here, but you do not have a smile on your face," Marie remarked, a teasing glint in her eyes as she reached his side. "Or perhaps you're just so entranced by the wonders of modern engineering that you cannot manage a smile."

Daniel chuckled, though the sound felt hollow even to his own ears. "Something like that," he replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "The exhibition is quite...impressive."

"As impressive as your guest at the masquerade ball?"

Daniel's heart sank.

He did not want to have this conversation with Lady Marie. She was far too nosy and such a gossip.

"What about the ball?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

Marie leaned in conspiratorially, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Oh, come now, Daniel. Everyone's been talking about the mystery girl you danced with."

He forced a laugh, though his mind raced. "Ah, yes. The mysterious masked woman. How could I forget?"

"I have been dying to know," Marie continued, her voice dripping with curiosity. "Who was she? You must have discovered her identity by now."

Daniel hesitated, the truth hovering on the tip of his tongue. "She was..."

He trailed off, his mind scrambling for a safe response.

But before he could fully form a thought, the memory of Isabella's laughter and the warmth of her presence filled his mind, and the word escaped him like a whisper carried by the wind.

"Isabella."

Marie caught the name, her eyes widening in surprise and intrigue. "Isabella? How intriguing! And who is this Isabella, might I ask?"

Daniel cursed inwardly, realizing his mistake. He had been careless, allowing his emotions to betray him.

"She is..." He paused, searching for a way to salvage the situation. "A friend. Just a friend."

Marie's interest only seemed to grow at his evasiveness. "A friend, you say? How do I not know her? I know all the ton ."

Daniel's mind raced. He had to tread carefully now. Lady Marie was one of those determined people who took pride in knowing the inner workings of London's social elite. Once she sank her claws into something—or someone—she never let go until she had unraveled every thread of the story.

He took a deep breath, quickly deciding on a different tack. "Actually, Marie," Daniel said, "have you seen the new flying machine they're demonstrating? It is supposed to be quite the spectacle. I thought of you immediately when I saw it."

Marie blinked, momentarily thrown off by the sudden shift in topic.

"Flying machine?" she asked, her curiosity piqued despite herself. "I have not seen it yet. Do you know where it is?"

"Yes, it is just down the hall," Daniel replied, seizing the opportunity. "I was just about to head over there myself. Shall we?"

Marie, intrigued by the prospect of the new exhibit, allowed herself to be led away. "I must admit, you have my attention now. Flying machines! What will they think of next?"

As they walked toward the flying machine exhibit, Daniel felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had managed to divert her interest, at least for the moment. But he knew it was only a temporary reprieve. Lady Marie's curiosity was insatiable, and he would need to remain vigilant if he wanted to protect Isabella's identity.

***

The evening air was cool and crisp as Daniel made his way down St. James's Street, the sound of horse-drawn carriages clattering in the distance. Gas lamps cast a warm glow on the cobblestone path, guiding him toward the entrance of White's, one of London's most esteemed gentleman's clubs.

He pushed open the heavy oak door, stepping inside the richly appointed interior. The club was a haven for the city's elite, a place where men of stature gathered to discuss politics, business, and indulge in the finer things in life away from the scrutinizing eyes of society.

"Daniel!" a voice called from across the room.

Daniel spotted Henry and Barrett seated at a corner table near the large bay window. They were surrounded by the comforting haze of cigar smoke and the soft murmur of conversations. The faint clink of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter punctuated the air, creating an atmosphere of relaxed camaraderie.

"Good evening, gentlemen," Daniel greeted as he joined them, settling into the plush leather chair with a sigh of relief.

"We were beginning to wonder if you had been swept away by one of those flying machines from the exhibition," Barrett quipped, a teasing glint in his eyes as he poured Daniel a glass of brandy.

Daniel chuckled, trying to shake off the lingering tension from the day's events. "No, nothing quite so dramatic. I just had some business to attend to."

"Business," Henry repeated with a smirk, raising his glass in a mock toast. "Or perhaps you were occupied with a certain mystery lady?"

Daniel nearly choked on his drink, a cough escaping him as he tried to maintain composure. "What do you mean?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

"Well, Lady Marie seems to think that you might be courting a mysterious lady. Someone named Isabella."

Daniel's heart stopped beating.

Had Lady Marie really gone as far as to ask his friends about Isabella?

Barrett nodded, taking a sip of his brandy. "She cornered quite a few of us, actually. I must say, she is determined. I think she might wish that she was the one on your arm.

Daniel's mind raced. He had managed to divert Lady Marie's attention earlier, but it seemed her curiosity had only intensified. He could not risk Isabella's name being dragged through the circles of high society.

"I am not courting anyone. I do not know what she is talking about."

"I knew it," Henry chuckled. "I told Lady Marie that the only woman you might be courting is the one you rescued from the jewel thief, and you did not mention her name being Isabella."

Daniel's heart pounded as Henry's words echoed in his ears. The air seemed to thicken, pressing in on him as he struggled to keep his expression neutral. His mind raced, desperately trying to think of a way to undo the damage.

Henry did not know what he had done, but Lady Marie might put two and two together, and recognize that Isabella was her old maid.

"You told her about the jewel thief?" Daniel asked, his voice more controlled than he felt.

Henry, oblivious to the turmoil he had stirred, nodded with a sheepish grin. "Yes, I mentioned that you were quite the hero. The ladies love a good rescue story, after all. I did not think it would cause any trouble."

Barrett chuckled, nudging Daniel with his elbow. "You should have seen her face light up when Henry mentioned it. I think she is quite enamored with the idea of you playing the gallant savior."

Daniel forced a laugh, though his mind was elsewhere. Lady Marie had a knack for weaving stories from the thinnest threads, and Henry had unwittingly handed her a spool. If she connected the dots between the mystery woman at the ball and Isabella's involvement in the jewel thief incident, it would only be a matter of time before the rumors spread like wildfire.