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He touched his finger to her sumptuous lips “Wehis head, he gestured to the door “Let us vacate this cha the hall”

Isabella nodded Taking the candle la table, they ilt furniture and vivid yelloalls, the chah the bed was only large enough for one

“This should suffice,” he said forcing a smile to hide his frustration As soon as he’d heard the sounds and found the e painted on the wall, he should have bolted down to the servants’ quarters and checked they were all in their beds It was too late now Distracted by the pile of pillows and wine-stained dress, they had given the culprit ample time to flee

Isabella pulled back the sheets and sat on the edge of the bed “You said we have much to do tomorrow Does that mean you have a plan?”

“We will conduct a thorough search of the rooatehouse, to ensure Mr Blackwood is not at home You must also tell me as much as you can about your relationship with Andrew”

She sighed as she climbed into bed and placed her head on the pillow “I suspect such a thorough investigation will take us all day” There was a nervous hitch in her voice “And then I suppose you must leave You are far too busy to spend your time here”

The sadness in her eyes belied her casual tone

Tristan came to stand next to the bed “I’ll not leave you” He bent down and brushed a lock of ebony hair froet some sleep I shall spend the next few hours over there in the chair”

She nibbled on her bottom lip “But it will be uncomfortable”

“Trust me I have slept in worse places” It would be farnext to her when all he wanted to do was take her in his arood “Besides, the bed is too small for two”

An i her body flashed into his mind, purely to prove there were other positions available should they wish to share a bed

Tristan walked over to the door and turned the key in the lock

“Why are you locking the door? I thought you did not believe in ghosts”

He s we must protect ourselves from”

Chapter 9