Page 66 of Isabel and the Rogue

“Then what is it?” Isabel demanded.

“I—I…” Sirius’s brain scrambled to find a viable excuse to cover his tumultuous thoughts. “I was just thinking about when I would be able to see you again.”

There. That sounded believable. It was also true.

“Oh.” Isabel turned to look up at the house, the sole lantern burning near the back walk illuminating the fall of her nose and plump shape of her lips. “I believe Lady Yardley canceled our engagements for the next day or two because she was feeling unwell.”

“That’s fortuitous.” At Isabel’s snort, Sirius hastened to add, “For us, not for her ladyship.”

At least he didn’t have to worry about Westhope trying to steal a kiss from her.

“Would you be willing to meet me?” A breathless note filled her voice. “To decide what I can do next?”

“Of course,” Sirius said promptly. “I’m not terribly certain of where we can meet that will shield us from detection, but I will think of options from now until then. How about I send a carriage to the corner this afternoon, and you can meet me there?”

Isabel nodded. “That will work. Thank you.”

Without another word, Sirius pulled her into his arms. Isabel stiffened for a moment, but eventually the starch left her form. Twining her arms about his waist, she tucked her face into his chest.

“Someone may see us,” her muffled voice said.

“They might.”

“It would almost be worth it, because you smell so good,” Isabel hummed.

Sirius buried his face in her hair. “I’m delighted you think so.”

They stayed in each other’s arms for several more heartbeats before Isabel stepped away. “I’ll see you later today.”

He nodded, and watched her disappear into the house, his heart pounding in his throat. As he pivoted to depart, Sirius scrubbed his jaw as he allowed all his warring emotions to fall over him. He certainly didn’t regret the night he spent with Isabel—Sirius could never regret it—but with sinking clarity, he realized how vulnerable she made him. A decidedly frightening development.

• • •

Isabel made it to her chamber in time to see Sirius disappear around the corner at the end of the block. Letting the drapes fall back into place, she wandered to the bed and collapsed upon it in a heap.

Sirius had whispered the sweetest sentiments in her ear as he stroked within her body and brought her to heights of pleasure Isabel did not even know were possible. And when he stared into her eyes, she could almost believe he loved her. No, she declared to herself. Isabel couldn’t allow her thoughts to venture down that path. Covering her face with her hands, she pushed the memories of the night into the corner of her mind, where she could make herself believe they wouldn’t haunt her.

Isabel felt as if she’d only just rested her head on the pillow when a hand gripped her shoulder and shook her awake. Grumbling obscenities, she rolled over and glared at Gabby, who sat perched next to her on the bed.

“I returned from Ana’s an hour ago.” Her sister’s gaze roved over Isabel’s face. “You never sleep this late. Are you unwell?”

Smoothing the hair back from her brow, Isabel flung an arm over her eyes. “I’m fine. Just feeling a bit tired.”

“Obviously.” Gabby paused, and Isabel could practically hear her thoughts whirling about. “What did you do last night that made you so tired today?”

“Nothing of note. Lady Yardley and I had dinner, we sat together for a spell afterward, and she retired early.” Isabel snorted. “It’s not like I’m the most engaging conversationalist.”

“I beg to differ.” Gabby paused again, and when the silence stretched a tad too long, Isabel peeked out from behind her arm to look at her. Gabby stared back at her with her brows raised. “Is that it?”

A frown tugged on Isabel’s lips. “Well, I read for a while, and then retired myself.”

Gabby’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know that I believe you.”

Isabel pulled herself into a sitting position, tucking the sheet about her, and glared at her sister. “What are you implying?”

“I’m not implying anything. I’m stating”— Gabby enunciated the word with harsh t’s—“that I think you were somewhere else last night, and that’s why you’re so tired today.”

“Don’t be silly,” Isabel shot back, although her voice was high-pitched to her own ears. Of course her sister—her altogether too perceptive baby sister—would notice Isabel’s out-of-character behavior. An ache pulsed behind her eyelids. Still, she refused to admit anything, not at all ready to share whatever was happening between her and Sirius.