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a neighbor—it would be quite another to have him for a brother-in-law.
    “ Indeed, I do.”
     
     

~ 7 ~
     
    Damien wasn’t exactly certain what was going on anymore, but he had a strange feeling anyway. Something was afoot, and now neither he nor Isabel seemed to know about it. It drove him mad, so he was sure Isabel was ready to leap from her skin.
    “ Lady Isabel,” he said, coming to the back of the settee where she sat, and leaning over her shoulder. “Might I have a word?” He looked pointedly at Miss Mason, and added, “Privately.”
    It was clear Miss Mason wasn’t certain how she felt about his wanting a private word with Lady Isabel. Her expression seemed to flip-flop between disappointment and disapproval.
    “ Certainly, Mr. Lockwell.” Isabel made no hesitation as she put down her wassail cup and stood to follow him. However, he had no idea where to go.
    “ You may follow me,” she said, taking the lead.
    “ Won’t your father object to your leaving unchaperoned?”
    She whispered back, “He probably won’t even notice, but if he does, I’ll tell him that I’m leading you to the library and coming right back.”
    “ And when you don’t come right back?”
    Lady Isabel shrugged. “I’ll send one of the maids back to say I’ve gone to bed.”
    Damien’s eyes narrowed on her as they emerged into the hallway. “You sound as if you’ve done this before.”
    A loud snort escaped Lady Isabel. “Evasion tactics are necessary when you don’t care much for the more traditional pastimes. But I’ve never done it, er…with a man.”
    Something about that made Damien smile. “Well, I’m honored to be the first,” he said, and the double entrendre was not lost on him.
    Apparently it wasn’t lost on Lady Isabel, either, if her reddening cheeks were any indication.
    They reached the doors to an abandoned parlor, and Lady Isabel pushed through, allowed him entry, then closed the doors behind them. There was a warm fire in the grate and a few sconces lit around the room, but mostly it was dark. Damien turned to look at Lady Isabel and sucked in a sharp breath at the sight of her. Her chestnut hair looked far more luxurious in this light, and her small nose and long lashes seemed so dainty in silhouette.
    “ Perhaps I should light more candles,” she said, and for the first time, Damien detected a hint of trepidation in her voice. Was it possible he made her nervous?
    “ Don’t bother on my account,” he said. “I rather like it this way.”
    Lady Isabel paused with her hand on the tinder box then took it away before moving to a chair on the very far side of the room.
    “ Well, then,” she practically yelled. “Will you finally tell me what information you have? I fear my sister may make a huge mistake, if she hasn’t already. Perhaps your information could help her.”
    Damien had almost completely forgotten about Lady Emma and Heathfield. Who bloody cared about the two of them when Lady Isabel sat before him…or at least in the same room as him. Damn it, this was foolish. He crossed the room and took the chair opposite her.
    “ Not too close,” she warned. “If we were discovered…”
    “ I thought you had thought this through.”
    “ Perhaps not thoroughly enough.” She stood to go, clearly unnerved, which Damien counted as one of his greatest victories of all time. “We should go back.”
    Damien caught her hand. Lady Isabel stopped and stared down at her wrist, clasped tightly in his grasp. “Please. I will tell you what I know. I promise.”
    ~*~
    His touch was searing. Even through her satin gloves, she could feel the heat of his hand. And blast it all, she liked it. At least, she thought she liked it. Her stomach churned and her whole body trembled as if she were coming down with a fever. Yet somehow it felt… good . It didn’t seem possible–not logical at all. As a matter of fact, it was complete and utter nonsense when she thought more clearly about it.
    She