Page 82 of The Duke of a Thousand Desires

She did not recognize him at all. He wore a riding suit, a green cap.

And she had sensed something disturbing in his stare. Something peculiar, as though she knew him and yet she did not. Did he take her to be the duchess? Did she imagine that he had wanted to approach her? In confusion, she turned to Timpkins and did not object when he took her arm.

“Is anything wrong, miss?”

“I’m not sure. Perhaps there are too many people in London for my liking.”

“We will return to Caverley House soon enough. The first master and mistress, eh?”

For once she did not mind his presumption. She was, in truth, grateful for his company, young knave that he was.

She did, however, mention the incident later that night to Lady Ravenna. “It meant nothing, I’m sure, but I noticed a man staring at me today while I was shopping. He might have mistaken me for your grace. I apologize if he was a personage I was expected to recognize. I did not acknowledge him.”

“Did he approach you?”

“No. He just … stared. I had the sense he wanted to say something, but he rode on.”

“You are quite lovely, Isolde. Perhaps if you hadn’t lived in the castle for so long, you would have realized as much.”

“Ha. And what good would it have done me?”

“The time will come,” Lady Ravenna said. “You will have your day when this menace is behind us.”