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Isabella breathed a sigh when he inclined his head Entering Mr Chandler’s house was a risk she’d had no option but to take People would make assumptions They would presuentlemen was indeed a motive for her to have murdered her husband

Tristan raised a brow “If we are recognised or discovered walking out in the garden alone we ossip” Despite his cautionary tone, he held out his arm He appeared more relaxed No doubt Mr Chandler possessed the skills necessary to penetrate his stone façade

“Well, s are known to be a little lax when it comes to morals” She tried to sound aues many times” The years had not ive him a reason to refuse “You are yet to make any formal declaration to Miss Smythe So, neither of us should have any cause to explain our being here”

Placing her hand lightly in the crook of his arm, she waited for the sudden flutter of excitement in her stomach It did not materialise instantly It did not materialise at all Her body felt numb, her heart empty

“I was thinking only of you,” he said “And I have no plans to make a declaration Not to Miss Smythe Not to anyone”

Whilst she found his first coe hie he planned to take a wife But she did not want to argue with hier, she would berate him over his failure to keep his proo If they had any hope of working together, it must remain in the past

Navigating the crowd, Tristan led her out onto the terrace “Perhaps it is not wise to linger here” He gestured inconspicuously to the a in the shadows behind the open door

Listening to the lady’s giggling and ragged breathing re loved and adored And she could not concentrate on the conversation when the sound of happiness reinforced how terribly lonely she had become

“No,” she said softly, “let us here we may have some privacy”

A faint smile touched his lips “I must warn you that we are bound to rounds”

She forced a reassuring smile “It would not be a masquerade if we did not stumble upon at least one illicit liaison”

Tristan inclined his head “Indeed”

They descended the five stone steps and followed the gravel path as far as the fountain It occurred to her that the ornate object was perhaps too large for the space, but then she re sound soothed the soul Playful splashes flicked at a partner were often a prelude to soined Mr Chandler lounging on the grass whilst watching a host of naked nymphs bathe in the stone feature

“Shall we stop here?” Tristan asked “There is a bench where we ht sit”

Her gaze drifted to the stone seat Did he recall the hours spent sitting together in the garden at Keain, she supposed his suggestion was purely logical The grass was still damp from an earlier rain shower Her slippers would be sodden by the time they returned to the ballroom, the black silk forever stained