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“It’s not something I should feel when it comes to someone I’ve known for most of my life. Isabel and I got along as children, yes, but we never ... I couldn’t see her like that. I thought I’d never see her like that, and I was fine with it.”
“Four years is a long time to be away. And feelings can change in four years.” Cohen shrugged. “It’s perfectly normal, Richard. You don’t need to be so upset. If you think Miss Isabel is attractive …”
“I thought she was attractive, but I don’t find her attractive.”
“Are they different things?”
“They’re supposed to be!”
“But not with you.”
Richard growled. There were times when he wished his tutor didn’t know him so well. But did he? Richard was sure that it was just a reaction to someone he hadn’t seen for a long time. He didn’t consider Isabel in that way. He just appreciated her beauty.
But that didn’t explain the reaction his body had been feeling all day. Just the smallest thing set Richard’s mind wandering, and he began to think more and more about Isabel. He couldn’t get that smile out of his head, not the first sight of her by the river. He remembered checking her over after stopping her from falling flat on her face in the water and how he had a sudden urge to kiss her. That was moments before he realized who she was.
An instant reaction like that was nothing surprising. The fact he did it to Isabel Moore was shocking. Never in his life did he think he would want to kiss Isabel.
Richard thought it was just a reaction to seeing a pretty girl. But then it happened again when he looked into her eyes, swimming with tears. He had wanted to give her some comfort after he heard that Lord Dunley was dead. But a kiss? That was too much. Even so, Richard couldn’t bring himself to stop thinking about it.
From the way Isabel had been looking at him as well, she might have welcomed it. But then she pulled away like a frightened animal and practically ran away from him. That was probably for the best. Richard didn’t think he wanted to explore what was happening to him right now. Not when he knew what was going on.
“Richard?” Cohen sat forward. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t know.” Richard sighed and rubbed a hand over his eyes. “I’m just really struggling right now. I don’t know what’s going on.”
“How about a bit of distraction? Putting your mind to something else will help put things in order.”
“And what do you think I should do, then?”
“Play chess with me.” Cohen gestured at the board. “We’ve already started, and I’m good to go. That should be enough of a distraction.”
“You just want to win this time, don’t you?”
Cohen laughed.
“Well, when you’re not on your top game, I’m going to take advantage of it.”
Richard groaned. But maybe focusing on chess was better than thinking about Isabel. For now. He sat down and started to put his pieces back in their original places.
“All right. Best of three sound good to you?”
“Perfect.” Cohen rubbed his hands together. “I’m looking forward to this.”
