Page 39 (1/2)

“Let us talk of so else” In a fluster, she patted her hair, the base of her throat, her fingers refusing to reed to ?”

“I’ Miss Suilt for the s compared to the depth of his mother’s deceit

“Well, perhaps it will give Miss Smythe an opportunity to pine for you As a wise poet once said, ‘always toward absent lovers love's tide stronger flows’ ”

Tristan considered the quote During his time in France, there was not a day that passed when he did not think of Isabella Even in a state of despair, he still longed to be near her Knowing he would see her in a few hours made his heart race

He forced a s at a house on Brook Street I doubt I shall be too late ho

h if Isabella asked hiht he would not refuse

“I hope he is not staying too close to Mivart’s Hotel I’ve heard it can be quite noisy at night”

“Youwith Lady Fernall”

The colour drained fro her skin ashen, chalk-white “Lady Fernall?”

“Indeed, I thought you ht be surprised I would have invited Isabella to dine here, but she infor, that you wrote to her to say she would not be welcome”

His mother opened her mouth and snapped it shut It took but aand for her to call on her steely reserve for support “I have not been well enough to receive visitors”

“Yet you received Miss Sranted Mr Fellows adodly hour Isabella is a dear family friend”

Her nostrils flared “So dear a friend that herresulted in your brother’s death”

That was not the crux of her problem with Isabella “Andrew fell off his horse You can hardly blame Isabella for that”

“Do you knoto her silly little whims?” Her white face turned a dark shade of red “Your brother was besotted with her Look where it got him”