Dealing for a Kiss

Isabelle

 "Is he here yet?" Isabelle asked.

Not yet, My Lady. "I've instructed the butler to inform us as soon as he arrives". Agnes replied then saw the worried look on Isabelle's face. "Don't fret so 'My Lady', he's always loved you to bits!" Agnes her maid since childhood admonished her.

Isabelle looked at the old woman who had raised her and loved her more than her own mother. She was fond of the old coot but as a commoner, Agnes didn't understand the political wrangling of titled society. She was loyal and very resourceful. She had been with Isabelle as far back as she could remember. She couldn't imagine life without old dependable Agnes. Though Agnes was from a different generation, she had always indulged Isabelle's proclivities and covered up some behaviors that "proper society" would never accept. Agnes had even helped hide her first abortion at twenty.

She had just dumped poor besotted Michael for Prince Jacque de Sardia. Jacque had promised her the world and at the first sign of trouble, took it all away by not standing by her when he learned she was pregnant with his child. Their relationship had been wild and beautiful. Isabelle's only regret was that she had dumped Micky by the time she found out she was pregnant. She shook her head at that costly blunder. She remembered how hurt Michael had been at the sudden breakup. If she had only carried on with him for two more months, Isabelle thought regretfully, it would have been easy enough to pass the child off as his. Isabelle wished she had discovered the pregnancy earlier; She'd thought she was just tired, what with classes and juggling Michael and Jacque. It never occurred to her that contraception had failed her.

However, by the time she found out, two months had gone by and it was too late. Michael would have known the child wasn't his. Isabelle looked out of the window at all the guests arriving for that evening's soiree and wondered what would have happened if she had succeeded. Michael would have married her to give his "child" a name and today she would be a Countess who would eventually become a Duchess. But she hadn't succeeded and so was now fighting to win his affection again. Sighing, she left the window. Isabelle's desire was to eclipse her parents by becoming a princess, staying a duchess however will at least maintain the status quo if she could only get Michael to fall for her again.

She also wanted her father to be proud of her, instead of the constant looks of disapproval and disappointment she saw lately. Her father didn't understand that she had great needs and so craved constant attention of men to feel alive. Her main attraction to Jacque was that he was a Prince. He had also been a beast in bed which was a bonus. Isabelle was now paying for her life of debauchery - she was barren! Her last abortion had not gone well at all. Agnes had pleaded with her not to have that last abortion but to give the child up for adoption. It was the first time Agnes had interfered in her life that way. Usually, she may disapprove but still help her but not this time. Agnes had been more vocal and protested vigorously. She had even discretely found a middle-class couple with no children looking to adopt a child. But Isabelle could not risk it getting out that she was unmarried and pregnant! Especially when the child belonged to a married Italian Count!

Though modern society accepted such behavior, her parents and the society she moved in viciously frowned on it. In the British aristocracy, widows were frowned on if they became pregnant with no engagement or wedding ring. The count would never have considered leaving his very wealthy and influential wife for her. Isabelle reflected on how a one-night stand had destroyed her life. So now the only person she could safely marry without telling she could not produce an heir was Michael Swindon, Earl of Darby. Isabelle hoped that he still found her irresistible. Michael's lust for her was another thing in her life that had remained constant. He has loved her most of her life and that's what she was counting on.

Remembering that he had made puppy eyes at her five years ago at her sister's wedding in Venice, she hoped he still felt the same way. Isabelle hoped that his love for her would make him easily consider adoption when he found out they couldn't have children of their own. That weekend's house party will be the first time in five years they will get to see each other again. At almost thirty- six, Michael was probably not keen on having children, though aunty June may have other plans.

Isabelle knew she had to be on her best behavior tonight. She must remember his likes and remind him of the good old days. The trick will be to remind him of the good times while carefully avoiding any mention of their breakup. He shouldn't have abandoned her to focus on his studies like that. She thought, remembering those lonely nights at university when he had abandoned her to attend study groups.

Besides rumor had it, he was broke and needed money. She figured a well-placed marriage should improve his circumstances. In Isabelle's mind, this could become a mutually beneficial partnership. She was confident that by the end of the following year, She would be the new Countess of Darby.

Suddenly Isabella started giggling quietly at first, then a moment later, it turned into full belly laughter. Her joy in knowing she had someone to make her respectable while continuing to indulge in her dalliances was just too much to contain. The maids stared at her, puzzled. Agnes frowned, concerned.