Masked Love by Nicole Zoltack

Author:Nicole Zoltack [Zoltack, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-10-27T22:00:00+00:00

Not ten minutes later, several servants struggled to bring in the Yule log. Adrian almost didn’t want it to be burned. He would have so few memories of Isabelle to hold him over for a lifetime without her. That one should be burned in front of him killed his hope, not that he had much to begin with.

He had followed the servants over to the grand fireplace and spied Isabelle lurking in a corner. When she saw him, her cheeks at first paled before blossoming to a precious rose color. She ducked out of the room.

Lady Theodosia approached, but Adrian excused himself and followed Isabelle. “Are you ill?” he whispered. He didn’t think she was, but he wanted to make certain. First his mother, now Isabelle …

She jumped and whirled around, her hand to her throat. “I’m quite fine, my lord. I have to fetch more food. You can go and relax. Enjoy the fire. I’m sure Lord Haywood will grant you the honor of lighting it with a lump of charcoal from last year’s Yule log. Have fun.”

Although he admired her backside, it was growing quite wearisome that she constantly turned away from him. Knowing better than to dare touch her, he maneuvered himself to block her path. “How can I have fun when I know you’re off serving others?”

Isabelle scoffed and brushed past him. “You have servants at home, I’m sure. You have no problem ordering them around,” she called over her shoulder.

True enough, her point was valid. He could deny her claim all he wanted, but they both knew it would be an untruth.

He heard footsteps behind him, and he relaxed his shoulders, having tightened up at his fight with Isabelle. The lady who claimed his heart seized the chance to run away.

Lady Theodosia reached toward his arm but lowered her hand without touching him. “Come, we’re going to light the Yule log in a few minutes.”

“A word please?”

“Everyone will be waiting.” She turned to retreat back toward the fireplace.

Why were ladies so insistent on leaving his side? Just two months ago, he had been surrounded by lady admirers at a ball. Now none wanted to talk to him, not the one he was engaged to, not the one he wished to be engaged to.

He applied light pressure on her back and forced her to enter her father’s empty study. “You don’t want to marry me.”

“Oh!”

“Is there another man?” he asked.

“I don’t … Where is this coming from?” Shock and sadness flashed across her features, quickly replaced with rage. She stepped away from him, around the large wooden desk, and slapped her hand on it. “Isabelle. The ‘friend’ you danced with. You fell for her!”

That she had pieced everything together stunned him into silence. Her nose in the air, she sauntered past him, and he made no move to stop her.

Well, that talk hadn’t gone as planned. Not at all.

Stumped as to what to do next, Adrian paced the floor, around the desk and the two chairs in front of it.

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