A Lady of Passion: Isobel's After Dark Regency Romance by Alicia Quigley

Author:Alicia Quigley [Quigley, Alicia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: A Heyer Love, LLC
Published: 2014-05-18T19:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Lord Francis Wheaton stood idly by a window, looking out into Cavendish Square.

Although he was watching for Isobel, he wondered more how she would contact him to tell him she would not be keeping their appointment. Despite her adventurous spirit, he had no doubts that she would balk at actually meeting a gentleman alone in his apartments, and that at their next meeting, he would be able to charm her out of her embarrassment and into an engagement. As he gazed abstractedly at the street, his mind on his approaching nuptials, a hackney drew up a few paces away from his building. A lady dressed well, if not in the first stare of fashion, emerged her face concealed by a heavily veiled bonnet. With a start, Lord Francis realized that it was Isobel. He bolted from the room and down the stairs to the street.

As he emerged from the building he saw, just off to his right, the veiled lady, pausing as though uncertain of her surroundings. Lord Francis walked toward her, smiling.

"Thank you for coming," he said, commendably hiding his surprise that she had indeed arrived. "Please come inside." He took her elbow gently in his hand and steered her towards the entrance.

Nothing was said as they walked to the door of the Horace Worth’s rooms, but when Lord Francis had escorted her inside and helped her to remove the bonnet and veil, an expression of mixed defiance and anxiety was revealed on Isobel’s lovely face. Although he had made preparations, he had not seriously thought that they would be needed, and he now gazed at Isobel with some surprise, almost as though he had expected to find a stranger under the veil.

"Miss Paley!" he exclaimed, somewhat redundantly.

"Were you expecting someone else?" Isobel strove to keep her voice steady. She had no wish for him to guess that she had so nearly turned and left.

"Not at all," said Lord Francis. "I am delighted that you are here."

The two of them gazed at one another as the silence between them lengthened. Finally, Lord Francis filled the breach.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," he said, taking her elbow in his hand and leading her to the settee. "Would you care for some refreshments?"

Isobel seated herself gingerly. "No, thank you," she said primly. She had not been at all sure of what to expect; she had had some dim expectations that he might immediately take her in his arms and ravish her. She had certainly not planned on refreshments or conversation, and, unusually for Isobel, had no idea what to say.

Lord Francis eyed her for a moment. She looked lovely, he thought, her auburn hair glinting in the muted light, her well cut spencer revealing the curves of her figure. He felt a stirring in his body at the thought of why she was there. He strode across the room and poured himself a glass of brandy. Taking a gulp, he refilled the glass and returned to seat himself across from her.

Isobel looked around.

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