Page 35 of Isabel and the Rogue

He willed himself to move away, but instead his fingers tightened. “Is that what happened at Tyrell Manor? Why the earl caught you in his study?”

Her eyes shuttered, and Isabel looked away. “It doesn’t matter what happened. The only thing that matters is that Ana María and Gideon found their way to each other, just as it was meant to be.”

Sirius clenched his jaw. “You have to stop this.”

“I don’t have to do any such thing.” Her expression turned mulish. “Señor Ramírez, Padre Ignacio, and many others are depending upon me to use my access to the most powerful men in England to aid Mexico. And that’s what I’m going to do.”

A sudden thought occurred to him and he shook her skirts until she met his gaze. “And Westhope? Is that why you’re entertaining his court?”

With a growl, Isabel handed him her reins. “Will you please assist me down?”

Sirius obliged her request, ignoring the feel of her waist beneath his palms.

Once her two feet were secure beneath her and she’d shaken out the skirts of her habit, Isabel considered him archly…although her cheeks were a dark rose. “If you must know, Lord Westhope’s cousin is the secretary to the governor of Martinique. Martinique houses a French garrison, which will sail for Veracruz if called by Maximilian. I would be a fool not to exploit my friendship with the viscount to find out what his cousin shares. And I am not a fool.”

“And yet you’re acting foolish,” Sirius shot back, disdain dripping from every word.

Isabel spun away from him and walked under the canopy of a willow tree. She braced her hand on the trunk for a long moment, and Sirius could see how her shoulders shook. No doubt in fury. “Is it foolish to want to help my countrymen? Is it foolish to take advantage of my situation and capitalize on it?”

“It is if it will put you in danger, Isabel.” Sirius threw his arms wide. “Isn’t it enough that Lord Tyrell caught you in the act?” His jaw twitched. “Isn’t it enough that you came across me that night we met, when I was with—”

“I know bloody well who you were with.” Her lip curled as she looked at him over her shoulder.

Despite the anger—the fear—blazing like a wildfire through his veins, Sirius felt a pinch right over his heart seeing Isabel so discomfited by the mention of their first meeting. Was there a chance they could have become friends if their first introduction hadn’t been so scandalous?

His throat bobbed as he forced down a swallow. “I’m sorry that you met me under such circumstances. It’s little wonder you have such a poor opinion of me.”

Isabel pivoted to face him, her lip caught between her teeth. “That doesn’t matter now. What matters is you are not in a position to stop my search.”

Sirius stepped toward her, opening his mouth to deliver a rebuttal, when she held up her hand to stop him.

“No,” she cried, stomping her foot. “Don’t you see? For the first time in my life, I’ve been tasked with something important. Isabel Luna, the boring, bookish sister. Not the politically savvy Ana María or the charismatic Gabriela. Me. Only I can sneak in and out of the personal chambers of important men to find their secrets. Because no one pays any attention to me. No one seeks my hand for dances, no one engages me in conversation, no one asks to pair with me at the card table. I am a specter, so why shouldn’t I exploit that fact to help Mexico?”

“But you’re not a specter.” Sirius stepped in front of her and grasped her shoulders. “You’re dazzling. Your sisters shine…but Isabel, you’re the entire night sky.”

He had no idea where the words had come from. Sirius stared down into Isabel’s stunned gaze, certain the same surprise he saw in hers was mirrored in his. And yet the words did not taste like a lie…

“Lord Westhope is paying his attentions to you now.” He cursed how the light in Isabel’s velvet eyes went out when he mentioned the viscount, but it needed to be said. “The scrutiny upon you will be harder to avoid.”

Isabel lifted her chin. “I’ve managed it thus far.”

“I don’t think you understand the danger you put yourself in when you sneak about these grand houses,” Sirius bit out.

She glared up at him. “I assure you, Captain, that my safety is of the utmost concern for me. I would like to return to Mexico one day, preferably hale and unharmed.”

“Isabel.” He uttered her name with all the frustration he felt. “Surely there are better ways to go about accomplishing your task.”

Her mouth flattened in displeasure.

Perhaps it would be best if he tried a different tactic. “I want to help.”

“If you want to help, you could start by trusting me,” she volleyed.

“Obviously.” Sirius dipped his head, before the corner of his lips tilted up. “But…I can alert you if someone approaches. Be a distraction if one is needed. And most importantly, I can tell you what I know of these men. I possess a wealth of knowledge about the members of the ton, and with my insight, you won’t put yourself in an adverse situation for no reason.”

Sirius hadn’t exactly realized what he was offering until Isabel’s mouth gaped. Christ, why would he volunteer to work with her on this foolhardy mission when he should be putting a stop to it? What was it about this stubborn wallflower that had him rushing to make her happy?

“You would help me?” Isabel whispered, her forehead furrowed.