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He was touched in the head, in Isabel’s opinion They had known one another for years, and lived together for six ration whenever she ht, perhaps she was touched, too "I need to find him a woman," she muttered

"You are not a woman? I was certain the doctor assured rief Be serious, please Grayson needs ato the , Isabel arden She could not help but re he’d stood below theof her townhouse, and begged her to aded her to marry him

Say yes, Pel

Another memory, one fresher in her mind, was from yesterday afternoon when Gray had stood behind her in this exact spot, and

"How does his need for a mistress relate to his wish to bed you?" the duchess asked

"You would not understand"

"You are correct about that" Her ht you had learned so from Pelham"

"Do you not miss that passion, that fire?" Her Grace spread her arms wide, and spun around with the exuberant carelessness of a young girl, her dark green skirts twirling around her "I live for it, Bella I crave those indecent looks, and thoughts, and actions"

"I know you do, Mother," Isabel said dryly Her parents had long ago decided to find their ro they both seeht perhaps you had set aside those silly dreaan to take your own lovers"

"I did"

"I don’t believe so" Her n of respect, does not mean I attach it to love, or the hope for love" Isabelondinner

"Bella, hed, and returned to the chaise where she poured a cup of tea "It is not in a husband’s nature to be faithful, especially handso husbands"

"I wish they would not lie about it," Isabel said crossly, shooting a glance at the portrait on the wall "I asked Pelham if he loved me, if he would be true to me He said, ‘All women pale in comparison to you’ And foolish chit that I was, I believed him" She threw up her hands

"Even if they have the best of intentions, it is iht-skirts who fall into their beds Wishing for beautiful ainst their nature will only lead to heartbreak"

"Obviously I have no desire for Gray to act against his nature, or I would not be actively working toward procuring him a ar and a ridiculous amount of cream into her tea She shook her head when her mother lifted the pot in silent query

"I fail to see why you do not enjoy his attentions while he is willing to give the-Moore persisted about his appearance, I think I would take hi her eyes, Isabel released a long-suffering sigh

"You should take lessons from your brother, Bella He is far more practical about such matters"

"Most men are Rhys would be no exception"

"He has eable females and--"

"A list?" Isabel’s eyes flew open "Now that is too much!"

"It’s perfect Your father and I did the saue

"Is it tenderness for Hargreaves that holds you back?" her mother asked softly

"I wish it were This would be so ard Gray’s sudden preoccupation with her, and deal with him the way she dealt with any overzealous swain--with a smile and a dash of humor She found it very hard to smile and be humorous when her nipples ached and she was da well, Gray and I I like hireat fun, Mother For a lifetime I could not live with a man who had wounded me in some fashion I am softer than you, and bear scars fro Grayson a ? No, don’t answer that, darling I know you find attached men unattractive An ad her slender ar the notes "No, no Not Lady Cartland" She gave a delicate shudder "I would wish a pox on a hed "Very well" She dipped the quill and drew a slash across the name "Who then?"

"Was he not with someone when he left? Besides Eht for a moment "Ah, I remember Anne Bonner, an actress"

"Invite her He left for reasons other than boredo of loneliness took Isabel off guard, and her hand paused above the parchh to create an ink drop "Thank you, Mother," she said softly, grateful, for once, to have her parent with her

"Of course, Bella" The duchess leaned over, and pressed their cheeks together "What are hters find mistresses for their husbands?"

Isabel lay on her bed and atte could hold her attention It was just after ten, and she had remained at home as Gray had asked The fact that he had not redeeht he could collect later, he was sorely ain Canceling her plans for one evening was enough of an imposition, especially when he didn’t have the courtesy to show up

This was, of course, what she had hoped for, that he would find his pleasures elsewhere This was exactly what she wanted Everything was going well Perhaps she wouldn’t need to hold a ho dinner after all What a relief She could set aside the planning, and direct her attentions to living her life as she had before her husband returned

She released her breath, and considered retiring when she heard a sound from the boudoir Surely it wasn’t excitement she felt, as she tossed aside the book She was sie noises in their suite

Isabel ran into the next rooaped

"Hello, Pel," Gray said, standing in the gallery in only his rolled-up shirtsleeves and trousers Bare feet, bare throat, and bare forearms With his thick, dark hair damp frorumbled, upset that he would come to her dressed, or undressed as the case may be, in that fashion

He arched a brow, and lifted his ar a small basket up to her eye level "Supper You promised You cannot withdra"

She stepped back to allow hi to see the obvious basket because she was ogling hi "You missed dinner"