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He saw her shiver slightly, but she tried to cover up her reaction with a delicate clearing of her throat. “My lord,” she returned evenly. Still, that gray gaze that had tempted him all through the night didn’t swivel in his direction.
He started to cut his ham. “Did you sleep well?” he asked conversationally.
She stiffened slightly, but otherwise her cool composure did not break. “Quite. Thank you.” She paused, as if she didn’t wish to ask the next question. “And you?”
He grinned broadly, although she missed it completely, her focus riveted on her teacup as she lifted it to that tempting mouth. “The best rest I’ve possibly had in years. But then, that’s likely thanks to you.”
Finally, that brilliant gaze shot to him and her lips parting slightly in shock that he might have spoken so openly.
Now that he had her attention, he eased her fears by adding, “The scotch that you requested from the kitchens worked wonders in easing my disposition.” With that, he turned to Lady Grace and said politely, “I hope that you will forgive me for my short temperament when we arrived. I admit that it had been a harrowing journey and I wasn’t acting in the manner of a proper gentleman.”
Lady Grace didn’t seem to notice that Isadora had turned slightly pale, or that she still appeared to be slightly discomfited by his words. “I am the one who should be apologizing, my lord. I am no’ generally in the habit o’ deceiving others. I shouldna have done it to ye, my own flesh and blood.”
He regarded her calmly. If nothing else could be said of his tumultuous rendezvous with Isadora, it was that he was starting to see things more clearly this morning. At least, where Lady Grace was concerned. “I understand that there are times when we act without thinking, with concern for others rather than ourselves. I do not condemn you for your actions, my lady. In truth, I commend you for wishing to do right by a man that, I gather, wasn’t always the easiest man to please.”
Her eyes filled with decided moisture. “I’m relieved t’ ’ear ye say that, my lord. I daresay I willna lie t’ ye again so long as I live.”
“That’s all I can ask,” he returned. He sat up straighter andcontinued to eat. “After I consume this fine fare, I should like to meet…” He trailed off with a twitch of his lips. “I confess that I don’t even know his Christian name.”
Lady Grace smiled. “It shouldna be that difficult for ye to recall, my lord. It’s Remington.”
Isadora’s nerveshad finally started to ease by the time the subject revolved around the man upstairs, and the original purpose for this journey through the wilds of Scotland. At first, she feared that he might break his promise and expose her wanton behavior. Thankfully, he didn’t, but something told her that he wasn’t going to be placated with one night. She would have to ensure that her armor was in perfect working order to withstand his charms.
Needless to say, there was something tantalizing about Remington. She couldn’t help but smile, because it was such a nice name. It rolled off the tongue as sweet as the finest wine. It was rather ironic that since there had been a decades old rivalry within the family that the good man at her side might hold the namesake of a man that had been despised. Hopefully, Lord Remington Scott could give his great-grandson some much needed closure. And since the marquess had arrived downstairs in apparent good spirits this morning, she prayed it would be a successful reunion.
She set her serviette aside when there was a break in the conversation. “It sounds as if you have the day all planned. I’ll let the two of you become reacquainted. It looks to be a lovely day, so I think I’ll head outside for a walk. If that’s acceptable to you, Lady Grace?”
“O’ course, Lady Isadora.” She smiled kindly. “Consider Dalkeith Palace as yer home. I have told the servants to give ye both free rein o’ the estate and grounds to explore as ye please.Ye’ll find that it doesna carry as many secrets as some o’ the locals would have ye believe.”
“Thank you.” Isadora rose to her feet. “But I’m not in the habit of investigating where I don’t belong. Besides, I think we are entitled to a few secrets now and then.”
As the lady inclined her head, Isadora started to leave, but the marquess stood as well. “Might I join you for a moment, Lady Isadora?”
Isadora’s heart started thumping, but she kept her tone neutral when she said, “Of course, my lord.” He offered her his arm, but before they exited the room, he told Lady Grace. “I shall be back shortly, and then I should like to meet my namesake.”
Isadora did her best to remain unaffected by his presence at her side, but after last night, she was more aware of him, not just as a man, but as a person. He had a good character and an honorable nature. Both were qualities she hadn’t yet found to be plentiful among London society. Her sisters had been fortunate to pluck out the few, but other than their father, Isadora had yet to be wooed.
Until Remington.
As they walked out into the morning sunshine, she lifted a hand to shield her eyes from the temporary glare.
“Allow me.” The marquess steered her toward a shaded section of the grounds that led to an herb garden at the side of the house. He paused and turned to her. He tapped the edge of her nose with his index finger. “I know how much ladies fret over freckles. Although,” he tilted his head to the side. “I think you would look rather adorable with them.”
She lifted a brow. “You make me sound like a child.”
There was a decided glimmer of mischievousness in his gaze. “Oh, I think we both know that I wouldn’t make that assumption after last night.”
She glanced away, uncomfortable. “I wish you would do as Iask and forget what occurred. I meant what I said when it was only temporary and wouldn’t be repeated.”
He brushed the side of her cheek with the back of his hand. “Why must you fight this so violently, Isadora?” he asked softly. “I know that you feel this current rushing between us.”
“It doesn’t matter if I do.” She looked at him with a decided tilt of her chin. “I won’t let my sisters down by giving in to a scandalous affair.”
He shook his head slowly. “Are you that determined to be so independent that you would deny yourself these natural urges?” He glanced down her body and she immediately flushed with desire.
She moved out of his embrace. “Nothing good ever came from lust. If you will recall it’s one of the deadly sins.”
“As is pride.”
