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Once again she tried to roll over, only to find herself firrasped by the shoulders and pushed backward until she was lying upon the bed Reluctantly she gave in, and with a deep sigh flopped down on the sheets, exhausted

“My what?” Doer clearly evident on the harshness of his features Everything within the lavishly decorated room see rattle in her chest

“Y-your wife,” Isobel replied, trying hard yet failing to keep the quiver of hurt frory, but couldn’t seeh her veins like molten lava

“My wife,” Do lump of dread formed in his chest “Who told you I had a wife Isobel?” He tried to keep control of the anger building within He already knew the answer, but needed to hear it from her lips

His heart jolted with surprise at her reply

“Aunt Elspeth”

“Elspeth?” His voice echoed incredulously “Are you sure?”

Isobel sighed with ih squeak as she glared up at him defiantly “Of course, I am sure! What do you take me for? She told me she had received word from a friend in London, who had been – somewhere,” Isobel paused with a frown, but couldn’t locate the name in her memory “She said the source was reliable Her friend had infor Willowbrook, you had travelled to your father’s estate in Berkshire, and wed your betrothed in the family chapel”

Exhausted, Isobel slu in shallow pants as she fought not to cough Misery swelled in her chest as the fah her Pride prevented her fro him had made her

She desperately wanted to cry, to rail at hiard of her If only she had the strength Instead, she lay there and cursed her weakness once again Despite everything, she found herself at the mercy of a man who had cruelly hurt her, the last man on earth she wanted to witness just how dire her life had become

“Isobel” There was so in the tone of his voice that commanded her attention, and snapped her out of her hts

Determined not to let her tears flow in his presence, she raised a frosty brow in his direction and waited

“I” He leaned over her ly “Aaze locked upon hers He slowly lowered his head until his lips were mere inches froentle kiss upon her stunned lips

His entle fingers swept away her tears as his lips worshipped her tenderly with his lips and fingers, while she absorbed his words

Could it be true? He was not married to another? When he did eventually raise his head to allow her to breathe, his eyes were full of tender reproach “How could you believe that I have such little regard for you?”