Page 59 of Isabel and the Rogue

Isabel’s throat worked on a swallow, but she nodded. “It’s the only thing I haven’t tried, and time is running out.”

This infuriating woman. Sirius dragged a hand through his hair and yanked on it for good measure. The sting helped settle his mounting frustration.

Or so he thought, until he opened his mouth and said, “If you think I’m going to help you seduce another man, you are cracked.”

Outrage swept scarlet across her cheeks. “You said you would help me!”

“And I have been. But understand this, Isabel Luna.” Sirius stalked toward her, an unholy roar echoing in his head. “I would break every bone in Westhope’s hands if he ever laid a single finger on you.”

Isabel gasped, pressing a palm to her mouth. But soon her eyes narrowed and she abruptly pushed past him, stripping her black cloak from her shoulders and draping it over an armchair as she went. Her simple purple day gown should not have looked so tempting on her, but Sirius locked his arms at his sides to keep from reaching for her. Isabel might be standing in his dark library now, but she was a tempting handful he knew he should not touch again.

“You know I’m not interested in the viscount romantically,” she said, dragging her slender fingers along his book spines.

That motion, done so artlessly, sent heat streaking to his groin. Sirius shifted on his feet to relieve the pressure. “I know you’ve said that, but your feelings could have changed. Westhope is quite amiable.”

Sirius forced himself to say the words, although his body recoiled. He did not want to talk about the viscount, especially not with Isabel before him, surrounded by the books that used to bring him so much joy but now only reminded him of her.

“He is. And handsome, too.” Isabel glanced at him over her shoulder, a smirk twisting her lips. “But while you may be capable of trifling with more than one woman at a time—”

“It’s not what you think.”

Isabel blinked, her mouth slightly ajar. “I don’t understand.”

“My supposed exploits.” Sirius rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. “My rakish reputation. I’ve cultivated it for a reason.”

“What reason would that be?”

The pucker of confusion between her brows urged Sirius to take a step closer to her. This revelation had to be done with care. “You know how Mr. Ramírez wanted you to use your access to members of London society to search for their secrets? Well, I use my status as a war hero”—Sirius spit out the word—“and an earl’s son to do the same.”

“You do?” Isabel’s gaze swept over his face. “D-does that mean you work for—”

“I come by my connections in the Home Office naturally.” He smiled. “I started when I returned from the peninsula.”

There were days when the war felt like a long-ago memory, and others when the memories were so vivid and wretched they kept him awake at night.

Isabel’s eyes darted about with her thoughts, and Sirius could see her putting puzzle pieces together. “So does that mean that all those times I saw you with different women, or heard salacious whispers of your affairs, you were…working?”

His shoulders tensed, and then fell on a long exhale. “More times than not.”

That barely there smile of hers curved her lips, but her expression darkened. “Is that why you know so much about Westhope? Is he one of your…” She frowned. “Targets?”

Sirius hesitated. Lieutenant Colonel Green never told him to withhold such information from Isabel, but admitting to spying on the gregarious viscount seemed akin to kicking a puppy. “Westhope has close ties to the French, and after what happened with your sister and Earl Tyrell, we are remaining vigilant.”

Her brief scowl told Sirius she had noted his nonanswer, and he was thankful she didn’t push the topic. Instead, she broached an equally unnerving one.

“Am I one of your targets? Is that why you’re suddenly showing interest in me?”

Isabel uttered the questions with her shoulders back and her head high, but her bottom lip trembled. Her large doe eyes stared up at him with defiance…but also an endearing amount of anguish. It would not do.

Planting his hands on her shoulders, Sirius gathered her against his chest. “No, sunshine. The curious workings of your mind, your reckless courage, and steadfast loyalty are what snagged my interest.”

Silence ebbed between them, and Sirius wondered what she thought of his confession. He imagined Isabel was considering his words and judging his sincerity. It seemed like a very Isabel thing to do. So to save her from overthinking, Sirius pulled her back and waited until she met his gaze.

“I enjoy spending time with you. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on whatever topic captures your fancy. Throughout the day, I ponder ways I can make you laugh.” Sirius brushed a curl from her cheek, allowing his fingertips to dance across her skin. “And I anxiously anticipate the next time you’ll let me touch you again.”

Surprisingly, Isabel’s expression was unreadable. Or maybe it was just guarded. Sirius didn’t have long to ponder it before Isabel slipped from his grasp and moved away. He let her go, his chest uncomfortably tight. Did she believe him? Sirius had never said such things to another woman before, and he hoped Isabel understood that his candor was in earnest.

Once she was outside his reach, Isabel stared at him and Sirius stared back…until one of her slim brows arched sharply. “You know, I don’t just let anyone touch me.”