Chapter ThreeThe Earl retied his cravat with the experienced fingers that always infuriated his valets, who thought themselves indispensable.
As he did so, a voice behind him called out petulantly,
“Why must you leave? It is still early.”
He did not turn to look at Lady Isolda lying on the couch that he had so recently vacated, but after a moment he said,
“I am thinking of your reputation.”
There was a hint of laughter in his voice, but Lady Isolda showed at once that she was not amused by replying sharply,
“If you were really concerned about that, you would marry me.”
There was a short silence as the Earl put the finishing touches to the intricate style of his cravat, which was his own invention.
“We are being talked about, Durwin,” Lady Isolda pointed out after a moment.
“You ha
