Page 67 of Isabel and the Rogue

“Do you always sleep in your cloak?”

Isabel jerked her gaze down at the question, a stone settling in her stomach when she realized the sheet was actually her black cloak. Mierda.

Panicking, she tried to rally an excuse. “I forgot to take it off when I came in from my walk in the garden.”

Her sister just stared at her, her hazel eyes unamused.

“Where would I even go? And with whom?” Isabel threw up her hands. “You and Ana are my only friends.”

Gabby scowled. “Well, I know that’s not true.”

“What does that mean?”

“What that means, Isa,” Gabby growled, reaching out to grab her arm, “is that Captain Dawson is your friend, too.”

Just hearing Gabby say his name sent flames searing across her cheeks, and Isabel ducked her head. She didn’t dare meet her sister’s gaze.

Clearing her throat, she eventually answered, “Yes, well, that certainly doesn’t mean I was out with him last night.”

Lies! Alarms sounded in her head, her mind noting that she had never lied so blatantly to Gabby before. And it was apparent her sister didn’t believe her, because she rolled her eyes.

“I don’t understand why you won’t tell me the truth.” Gabby cocked her head, her lips twisting into a smirk. “It’s not like I’m asking if he’s a good kisser or if he takes his time—”

“Ay, why must you always be so much?” Isabel snapped, even while she fought back an exasperated laugh. “Whatever is happening between Sirius and me will stay between us.”

“Que aburrido.” Gabby considered her for a moment longer and exhaled loudly. “Very well, then. But please know that you are more than welcome to confess all your sins to me instead of Father Duncan should you feel the need to unburden yourself.”

Isabel tutted. “That’s sacrilegious, traviesa.”

Rising to her feet, Gabby shrugged as she walked to the door. “What are your plans for today?”

Isabel licked her lips. “I don’t have any. Lady Yardley canceled our engagements for today because she’s under the weather, so I thought I would spend the day reading. Maybe go for a walk.”

She was pleased by how normal she sounded…although her heart was still lurching in her chest.

“Perhaps I can accompany you on that walk,” Gabby said, her tone just a tad too blasé.

“T-that”—Isabel coughed into her fist, unease scratching at her throat—“that would be wonderful.”

Gabby inclined her head and then opened the door, stepping into the hall. “See you downstairs.”

Isabel stared at the closed door for a long moment and then dropped her head into her hands. How was she ever to meet with Sirius if Gabby insisted on accompanying her?

Dragging herself from bed, wincing at the twinge of discomfort between her thighs, Isabel wandered into her dressing room. As she stared unseeing at her selection of day dresses, Isabel fervently prayed to Saint Jude, the patron saint of lost causes, for a way to keep Gabby from ruining her assignation with Sirius.

Her nerves gradually abated when she joined Gabby and Lady Yardley in the drawing room. Although she felt her sister’s gaze on her throughout the afternoon, Isabel did her best to ignore her. Instead, she listened to Lady Yardley’s long list of complaints about her health, and feigned interest when she shared the bits of gossip she gleaned from the newspapers. Isabel had never been particularly close with the older woman, whose spirited personality both complemented and clashed with Gabby’s, but she genuinely liked and respected the viscountess. Lady Yardley had welcomed her and her sisters as if they were her own family, and provided them with the opportunity to build a new life in England. So if she had to be an audience member to the woman’s chatter, Isabel would do so willingly.

Eventually, Lady Yardley was distracted by the post, which Bauer, her lady’s maid, brought to her in a basket. While she read aloud the invitations, often with added commentary about the sender, Isabel snuck another look at the clock on the sideboard. Sirius had said the carriage would be waiting for her at three o’clock, which was in an hour. Fighting the urge to nibble on her lip, Isabel slid her gaze to Gabby…to find her sister staring at her.

Gesturing with her chin to the clock, she asked, “Should we prepare for our walk?”

Damn it.

“Good idea,” Isabel replied, hoping she appeared nonplussed.

Gabby didn’t allow her a moment to plan for a diversion, instead following Isabel into her chamber and dismissing Lupe. She proceeded to rifle through Isabel’s walking dresses while she clicked her tongue. Selecting a turquoise ensemble and holding it up to Isabel, Gabby hummed.

“I don’t care that some people think blue is unsuitable for brunettes,” she grumbled, spinning Isabel about to unbutton her day dress. “This color looks stunning against your skin.”