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Isobel shifted uncomfortably and waited “Dominic has offered for your hand,” Isobel’s heart lurched but she wisely ree you to accept his offer”

“And if I don’t?” Isobel asked, watching Peter scowl at her

“There really is no question that you h you were ill at the tiossip that you have lived, unchaperoned, in Dominic’s house – alone – for six whole weeks Much less thatin his master suite!”

“I don’t care what any of the Ton thinks,” Isobel snapped defiantly, carefully placing her teacup back on the table “I will not be forced into ossips” She was fully aware Dominic hadn’t taken his eyes off his boots

“I know but it has ra his sister well enough to read the stubborn tilt of her chin for what it was Abject defiance

“What family?” Isobel replied quickly “I – we – hardly have anyone left!” Isobel lare at her brother “We have buried our parents,” she checked off her fingers “We don’t have any other relations other than an uncle in Scotland e have never ossip, and hasn’t moved in Ton circles for years, and Rupert, an insane despot who thinks hs that rasped in her throat as her temper bubbled

“What about Peter?” Do his eyes away fro broard Isobel

“What about hiasped, her cheeks flushed with fury “Whatever I do won’t have any impact on his choices”

“Won’t it?” Doued “Are you sure Isobel?”

Isobel huffed “It is widely known that any indiscretion woossips of the Ton She is shunned from society and cast as a harlot Any nored, and rarely casts hilared at bothwithin Ton circles, and I don’t care what they think of me Where were they when I was out on my own? Who was there for me to turn to when I needed shelter when the weather turned cold?” She are she was practically shouting, but couldn’t stop the tide of despair that flowed through her “Who was there to protect me from Rupert’s fists day after day?”

She stopped, suddenly realising what she had just revealed Stunned silence settled over the room She stared at them in horror for several moments before she turned and fled froht the appalled shock on their faces A wave of hus to move

Do hand upon his aro She won’t thank you for your presence right now”

“He hit her,” Dominic snarled, and reluctantly resu, namely Rupert His stomach roiled with tension as he turned to his friend “Goddamn it, the bastard beat her”

“You are a soldier Doet in the way of thehis own fury

“How in the hell can you be so re at his friend in disgust