Page 52 of Isabel and the Rogue

“I bet you did last night, though,” Gabby drawled, waggling her brows.

“Gabriela Luna,” Isabel gasped, truly scandalized.

Her sister rolled her eyes. “Act as offended as you’d like, but that doesn’t negate the fact that you are having an affair with Captain Dawson.”

“We’re not having an affair,” she grumbled, her tongue heavy with the lie. “We’re just friends.”

“Friends who kiss and leave love marks on each other’s skin, it seems.” Gabby gestured at her with her chin.

Isabel clapped a hand to her neck, panic crawling up her throat. She thought she had hid the mark Sirius had sucked into her skin with the cut of her gown, but apparently not. And if Gabby had noticed the mark, had Lupe as well? Or Lady Yardley? Her stomach abruptly turned at the thought of the older woman discovering the liberties she had granted Sirius.

But why should she be ashamed of her actions with Sirius? True, she had been raised within the church, had been taught to be pure and godly, and that she must be untouched and virginal for her future husband. But not once had Isabel regretted what she shared with Sirius.

Of course, a lack of shame did not mean she wanted to discuss the particulars with her sister.

So, mustering as much pride as she could, Isabel dropped her hand and picked up the book again, turning back to page fifty-five to begin again.

“When did it start?”

Isabel shook her head but did not answer.

“Was it here in London or at Dancourt Abbey?” Gabby pushed.

Isabel turned a page.

“Isabel, will you look at me?”

Shaking her head again, Isabel refused to glance away from the book.

“Isa, at least tell me he’s been respectful.” Gabby was worrying her lip when Isabel turned to her. “Captain Dawson has always struck me as a courteous man, but then the image a man presents to the world is often very different from the reality behind closed doors.”

Exhaling a deep sigh, Isabel crossed to her sister and took her hand. “Sirius—Captain Dawson has been nothing but kind to me. Gentle and attentive. He respects me, querida.”

Gabby pressed her lips together for several heartbeats, simply staring at their knotted hands. “I’m happy to hear it. I’ve always liked Captain Dawson. Ever since he welcomed us to Dancourt Abbey on such short notice, and gave Ana and Gideon their beautiful wedding, and then helped Gideon recover her after that pendejo tried to steal her away. And I know that you two have not always gotten along…” Gabby glanced up at her then, a light shining in her hazel eyes. “But perhaps that was all foreplay.”

Isabel bit back a laugh. “How do you know what foreplay is?”

Her sister waved a hand. “I know all sorts of things, many of which I learned from reading your books.”

She had no reply to this, so Isabel merely shook her head.

“Does he intend to marry you, Isa?” Gabby asked, her expression abruptly serious again.

Dropping her gaze, Isabel frowned. “Of course he doesn’t want to marry me.”

The thought that Captain Sirius Dawson would want to marry her was laughable…and yet only unshed tears filled her throat.

“But why not? If he is capable of…” Gabby raised her brows meaningfully. “Surely he is capable and willing to marry you.”

Opening and closing her mouth, Isabel grappled with what to say. She’d known that getting involved physically with Sirius would be a gamble, for there was no agreement between them. He had not promised to marry her and made no such offer after they had become intimate. Even with Lord Westhope paying her court, Sirius had still not offered her more. It stung, but at least she knew where he stood. He was willing to help her with her search, and pleasure her until she was boneless, but there would be no emotions involved.

“I was aware of Captain Dawson’s reputation well before this.” Isabel cleared her throat. “I don’t have any illusions now.”

“Well, I think that’s nonsense.”

“Why do you say that?” Isabel asked, pulling back to glare at Gabby.

Her sister narrowed her eyes in turn. “Because how could Captain Dawson not ask you for more? You deserve more. You deserve everything, and that man should be tripping over himself to give it to you.”