Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Seductive Secrets: Secrets
    Seductive Secrets: Secrets
    Seductive Secrets: Secrets
    Ebook339 pages4 hours

    Seductive Secrets: Secrets

    By Lynne Connolly

    3/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    The Secrets Trilogy book 1

    To survive, she'll have to trust him with all her secrets.

    Nick is back. After eight years of facing public scandal and private humiliation with her head held high, Isobel's courage fails when the man she never stopped loving returns and asks her to marry him. Once he discovers her secret, he won't visit her bed more than once. And she can't bear his rejection. Nicholas, Marquis of Cardington, is confident he can cope with the baggage Isobel carries from her first marriage. It doesn't matter that the beautiful widow once left him to elope with another man. After all, he was partly to blame for that disaster. All that matters is he has always loved her, and now she's free to accept his proposal. Only on their wedding night does Nick learn the terrible secret Isobel has harbored for eight long years. To win his wife's trust will take every ounce of tenderness he possesses-when what he really wants is to show her the passion he saved for her and her alone. But just as Isobel begins to believe her heart is safe with Nick, the blackmailers who drove her first husband to suicide reappear. And they want their pound of flesh. Isobel must finally trust Nick will all her secrets-and her life-or their enemies will destroy them both.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLMC Publications
    Release dateMar 6, 2017
    ISBN9781386695523
    Seductive Secrets: Secrets
    Author

    Lynne Connolly

    Award winning, top selling author Lynne Connolly writes historical romance, paranormal romance and contemporary romance. She lives in the UK with her family and her Mews, Jack. She also loves travelling, and often incorporates the places she visits into her books.

    Read more from Lynne Connolly

    Related to Seductive Secrets

    Titles in the series (19)

    View More
    View More

    Related ebooks

    Gothic For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      The Coming Out

      May 11, 2020

      The Coming Out
      6 min read

    • Article

      Judi There Is Nothing Like This Dame

      May 19, 2021

      Judi There Is Nothing Like This Dame
      7 min read

    • Article

      A double LIFE

      Sep 13, 2022

      A double LIFE
      6 min read

    • Article

      The King’s passion

      Aug 11, 2021

      The King’s passion
      11 min read

    • Article

      The King’s passion

      Aug 11, 2021

      The King’s passion
      11 min read

    • Article

      Left FIELD

      Mar 30, 2022

      Left FIELD
      6 min read

    • Article

      Sam Neill On His New Memoir And Living With Blood Cancer: ‘I’m Not Afraid To Die, But It Would Annoy Me’

      Mar 17, 2023

      If you came to Sam Neill’s memoir without knowing the first thing about it, chapter one would hold a terrible shock. It begins amusingly enough: a lovely anecdote about his daughter Elena being asked at school when she was little about what her dad d

      7 min read

    • Article

      Never Done THAT

      Oct 20, 2020

      Never Done THAT
      6 min read

    • Article

      NEVER Done That

      Mar 4, 2020

      NEVER Done That
      6 min read

    • Article

      Meet Me At The EIFFEL TOWER

      Jan 19, 2022

      Meet Me At The EIFFEL TOWER
      6 min read

    • Article

      Dirty John: Escape

      Oct 8, 2017

      Dirty John: Escape
      10 min read

    • Article

      What Was It About Him?

      Jul 2, 2021

      What Was It About Him?
      4 min read

    • Article

      LOVE, Virtually

      Feb 16, 2020

      LOVE, Virtually
      5 min read

    • Article

      Stranger Danger

      May 18, 2022

      Stranger Danger
      10 min read

    • Article

      Queen Of The Bonkbuster

      Dec 8, 2023

      Queen Of The Bonkbuster
      10 min read

    • Article

      Love Actually

      Jan 30, 2020

      Love Actually
      6 min read

    • Article

      “I Indulged In Forgiveness”

      Oct 6, 2019

      “I Indulged In Forgiveness”
      7 min read

    • Article

      “I Indulged In Forgiveness”

      Oct 9, 2019

      “I Indulged In Forgiveness”
      7 min read

    • Article

      The Way Things TURN OUT

      Jun 3, 2020

      The Way Things TURN OUT
      7 min read

    • Article

      The Joke

      Sep 1, 2020

      Although best known for his 1953 novel Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury was also a prolific writer of short stories, having published his first while still a teenager. This previously unpublished story likely dates to 1950, the year The Martian Chronicle

      5 min read

    • Article

      Stranger Danger

      May 18, 2022

      Stranger Danger
      10 min read

    • Article

      A Leap In THE DARK

      Feb 1, 2023

      A Leap In THE DARK
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Mr Darcy MYSTERY

      Nov 23, 2022

      The Mr Darcy MYSTERY
      6 min read

    • Article

      Youthful Angst Is Fresh And Compelling In 'Last Night In Nuuk'

      Jan 17, 2019

      Niviaq Korneliussen's new novel follows five people in Greenland's capital Nuuk; it's a heartbreaking yet hopeful look at young, queer life in one of the most isolated places in the world.

      2 min read

    • Article

      Books

      Feb 17, 2023

      Books
      4 min read

    • Article

      Written In The STARS

      Feb 1, 2023

      Written In The STARS
      2 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Seductive Secrets

    3/5

    2 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Seductive Secrets - Lynne Connolly

      Chapter One

      Will you marry me?

      Isobel spun around to face Nick with a swish of light silk, impossibly fresh in this dilapidated room. Her presence struck him like a physical blow. She had the same effect on him as always, from the first time he’d met her, eighteen years ago. She remained the only woman he wanted.

      Her eyes widened in surprise. After the last time?

      A small smile quirked his lips. Yes, even after the last time.

      In a quick, sudden movement, Isobel covered her face, her fingers trembling against her closed eyelids.

      He longed to go and comfort her, but caution stopped him. She might send him away, and he couldn’t bear that. Not after all he’d gone through just to get this far. Isobel had sought refuge in this shabby back parlour rather than see him, but her father, anxious to see the matter settled, had betrayed her whereabouts to Nick.

      Abruptly Isobel pulled her hands from her face and went to stand before the window. The scene looked so ordinary; a hot English summer day, a gardener moving among the roses, deadheading and pruning with methodical care. The sun cast heavy shadows on the grass and the bright light enhanced the pinks and creams of the roses.

      She faced him again. Why? Why now, Nick?

      He kept his face expressionless. He’d known something was wrong when he’d seen her briefly in London but, because of his position as jilted ex-fiancé, he couldn’t approach her. Her response to him then might have been awkwardness, but he didn’t think so. Isobel always exuded grace and elegance. Something else troubled her, something Nick shrewdly suspected she’d told no one.

      He moved into the room but stopped, not too close to her. She didn’t move away, but he felt the space between them crackle. He was too big for this small room, too big for her. Perhaps we deserve another chance.

      He stared at the clock over the mantelpiece, not at Isobel, not wanting to see rejection on her face, and afraid that he would. This was his last chance with her and he didn’t know if he could bear it if she sent him away. Concentrating on the black hands and faded gold face of the perfectly ordinary clock steadied him, and helped him to quell the fierce surge of desire Isobel’s proximity always evoked in him. He had to persuade her. Had to. Then he turned on one heel, back to her, the skirts of his formal coat, too heavy for the sultry weather, swinging around his thighs. Shall we be practical?

      The stillness in this room felt uncanny. So much lay between them, so much to explain and discuss but they needed to start somewhere.

      By all means. Isobel stood with her back to the window, her features cast into shadow by the bright sunshine outside. He didn’t need to see her clearly to recall the lucid grey eyes, the tactile silk of her fair hair, her perfect complexion.

      You are notable by your absence in society since Harry died.

      I expected them to forget me.

      He frowned. The gossips still drag up the story from time to time.

      Even with her face in shadow, he saw the twinge of regret that touched her face. Was it terrible? I’m sorry, I did think of you at the time but I had—other things on my mind.

      His smiled grimly. Eloping with another man on the eve of our wedding is about as juicy a morsel as you can throw to the hounds of society. They called you a scarlet woman, when as far as I saw, you’d only behaved in a way true to yourself. I bore the deep sympathy of many women with marriageable daughters of their own. His smile changed to warmth, inviting her to share in the joke.

      It worked. He could always make her smile, even if it was tinged with bitterness. You fought them all off, though.

      I managed. I swore off marriage. An understatement. Nick’s bedroom exploits had become legendary in the last few years, but he’d avoided young, marriageable females. Nick didn’t want to marry anyone else, or raise hopes he didn’t intend to fulfill.

      She moved a little, and the tense lines of her shoulders relaxed. So what changed your mind? And why me? She made a deprecating movement with her hands, graceful even in her agitation. I’m sorry, I’m being terribly rude but I need to know.

      I know. And I think we’d better be honest, don’t you?

      Yes. After the last time.

      Isobel moved to the big, shabby sofa and sat down, indicating the space next to her with a graceful gesture. With only a slight hesitation, he took it.

      He gazed at her, holding his desire under steely restraint. Why did you do it, Isobel?

      She bit her lip and stared at her hands clasped in her lap. Her knuckles gleamed white with strain. I was afraid. The night before our wedding, you showed me a degree of...of passion I wasn’t ready for, not at eighteen.

      Nick mentally cursed. He remembered the day when, no longer able to control his youthful ardor, he’d tried to make love to her. Too passionate, too clumsy. That day cost him dear. I was young and eager. I knew I’d behaved badly but when I came to apologize, you’d already gone.

      She moved as though to touch him, but withdrew her hand. That wasn’t the only reason I left. Mama never stopped reminding me I’d be a marchioness, what it would mean and how I should behave. I felt so hemmed in by all the rules and conventions, I felt stifled by them.

      He sighed. My mother wouldn’t have helped you. She’s acutely aware of her station.

      I felt trapped. When she looked at him directly, the intervening years slipped away. Nothing else mattered. Whatever else troubled her they would overcome it together.

      His love was enough to sustain both of them. He’d not let her turn him down. Do you feel trapped now?

      She shook her head. No, I don’t think so. I’m six and twenty now, not eighteen, and my view of the world is more realistic. I could cope.

      He grimaced, a wry turn of his mouth. Coping wasn’t what he wanted. I’m sorry you didn’t confide in me at the time. I should have asked. I could have reassured you.

      Her next words came out in a rush. Then Harry showed an interest, more than flirtation. He was charming—you remember how charming he was! I thought I loved him. It seemed easier to run away than to face things. She looked up at Nick’s face, hiding nothing, tearing his heart apart with her frank confession. I was wrong.

      A slight spasm crossed his face, which he immediately controlled. The only consolation for me at the time was the thought of your happiness. I told myself at least one of us had our heart’s desire. He bit his lip. How soon did it go wrong?

      Isobel twisted her hands together in her lap. He badly wanted to hold her, but it might scare her off. She behaved like a skittish colt, not at all the warm, loving girl he’d known before her marriage. Had Harry Thoroughgood mistreated her? He wanted to strangle the man, for all he’d been in his grave for the last year. Just over that, in fact.

      Not long after we married. He wasn’t a happy man, Nick, and he didn’t find what he was looking for in me. When it became obvious to both of us that we’d made a mistake, we decided to make the best of things. So the next year we went to London. I believed we’d live the elopement down, and we started to, didn’t we? New understanding lit her eyes. Did you have anything to do with that? Our acceptance back into society?

      He shrugged, trying to make light of it. I told anyone who listened that I held no grudges, and I’d receive you if I met you anywhere. A reminiscent smile curved his lips. We did meet once. Do you remember?

      A fraught moment, taken out of ordinary time when they’d come face to face in a country dance in a ballroom, two years after she’d jilted him. After a second, he held out his hand, she placed hers in it and they continued the measure. He still recalled the shock her touch had brought him, the moment he realised he still loved her and he always would. None of the other women he’d been with mattered.

      Yes I remember. I was very grateful you acknowledged me. I started to believe everything was going to be all right.

      It wasn’t all right. His face went still again, the strong mouth firming.

      Yes, it all went wrong again, but not immediately. I don’t know why Harry killed himself, or why he did it in such a way. Her voice shook. Not really.

      There was something else, something she hadn’t told anyone. The brief hesitation before her last words made him sure of it. No longer able to fight the urge to touch her, Nick placed his hand gently on hers. She allowed it and he let out the breath he’d been unaware of holding. I wanted to do something to help after his death, but there was nothing. Your husband left you reasonably well off, and you seem to have kept your fortune out of the clutches of your father, so what could I do? You didn’t come back to town afterwards, not once. He’d waited, given her six to mourn her spouse, then a few months longer. Finally, after a year, he was unable to wait any longer and he’d come in search of her.

      Isobel swallowed. I fell into disgrace again when Harry died. They called me dangerous and scandalous. She looked neither dangerous nor scandalous now, dressed as simply as any squire’s wife.

      She took a couple of breaths, and lifted her face to Nick’s, meeting his still, quiet look with one of her own. So we come to it. Why, Nick? Why do you want me? I’m a social outcast. I’m not a beauty. I don’t know if I can give you children. My portion is respectable but not so staggering the fashionable world in the drawing rooms of Grosvenor Square will forget all and welcome me warmly. So why?

      He pressed her hand, still lying under his. He couldn’t tell her, not yet. She wasn’t ready to receive the passionate declaration of love he wanted to give her. He had to find some other reason, something that would make her believe him. Whatever Harry had done to her went deep, and it would take more than a quiet discussion on a summer’s afternoon to solve it. But backing out was unthinkable now. I want to make everything right. Your elopement was partly my fault, wasn’t it? At twenty-two I was too passionate, too frantic for you and I frightened you. He bit his lip. The thought of that particular piece of idiocy tortured me for years.

      She smiled. You don’t have to sacrifice yourself now to repair the damage that was as much my fault as yours.

      His responsive smile was warm. He was winning. It’s no sacrifice. You are lovely; I’ve always thought so. To look at you brings me a great deal of pleasure.

      Isobel blushed. I’m no beauty.

      You’re wrong. You are. How could she think she wasn’t beautiful when the evidence lay in her mirror every time she looked into it? Isobel, if you marry me, society will accept you back with open arms. Most of the people who matter, who really matter were only cool to you because of the hurt they thought you brought me. Put that right, and you’ll see a change.

      You don’t want me, she protested feebly.

      Oh yes I do. He had to know if she’d let him touch her. He leaned towards her, trying to make his movements soft and unchallenging, waiting for any sign of rejection. He slipped his arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer. When she looked up, he examined her face closely before he lowered his head and gently pressed his lips to hers. Isobel lifted her hand and his heart caught, but she touched his shoulder instead of pushing him away.

      She felt right in his arms, as she always had. Soft, warm, welcoming, smelling of roses and her own essence. She could drive him wild with need without trying, but Nick kept an iron restraint on his desire. When he tried to deepen the kiss, she flinched. He drew back immediately, but kept his arm around her.

      She opened her eyes. I’m sorry. I’m not used to it, that’s all. She rested the side of her head against his shoulder.

      I know. We’ll take it slowly this time, shall we, Isobel?

      She nodded, moving her cheek against the soft, fine wool of his coat. His heart soared in triumph. He’d won her.

      He put a finger under her chin, and tilted it up. Is that a yes? Will you marry me?

      You could have anyone you want, Nick.

      He gazed at her, drinking her presence in like a thirsty stag at a mountain lake. No one else came close. We agreed on honesty, did we not? At thirty, I’m too old for an ingénue. I don’t want giggles, shyness or silly games. I want a wife. A partner, not a pretty ornament.

      When she tried to draw away his arm tightened in instinctive response. He forced himself to relax his hold, but she didn’t draw away. Relief washed through him. An ingénue can grow into a sensible woman. Most of them do.

      I don’t want to wait any longer. Besides, my mother’s carping about my single state increases every year.

      She chuckled. Yes, it would.

      She says she wants to see me settled before she dies. She’s only sixty, for the Lord’s sake but don’t tell her I told you. She only admits to fifty.

      Isobel laughed again. You think I’ll make a suitable marchioness?

      I think you’ll make a perfect marchioness.

      He felt her tense against his shoulder and knew what she was about to say, but he had his answer ready.

      I may not be able to bear you children, Nick. I was married to Harry for seven years and there was never a sign of a child. She met his gaze bravely.

      Was that what troubled her? Her response to physical contact was to recoil instinctively, without thought. He began to wonder if the trouble between Isobel and Harry hadn’t started in the bedroom. Childlessness, her wary response to his approaches—it added up to something else. There had been plenty of rumours about Harry which had only subsided on his marriage. He’d wondered then, but Isobel had seemed tranquilly content when he’d seen her on her first visit to London after her marriage, so he’d dismissed it.

      He’d now responded with confidence. It doesn’t matter, Isobel. I have an heir in my cousin Duncan, and he and Mariah have two sons and a daughter. The succession is assured, one way or another. All I want is a wife. I’m not counting on anything else.

      He avoided any but the briefest reference to Mariah Seyton. Society knew all about their long-term affair. Duncan and Mariah went their own way in their marriage, and the lusciously blonde Mariah had provided a convenient substitute for Isobel at one time. She gave him uncomplicated release from sexual frustration, so he’d allowed the affair to continue in a desultory way for far too long.

      Isobel knew about the affair. How could she not? Will you continue with your mistresses if I marry you?

      Was she counting on his women to provide physical satisfaction? If so, this would never work. Would it matter?

      Yes.

      Would she take his mistresses as a relief or a disappointment? Her expression gave him no clue. I won’t insult you by pretending not to understand. I’ve made it clear to Mariah that any relation other than cousin-by-marriage is not possible between us anymore.

      Even if I refuse you on those grounds?

      He gripped her hand harder. Don’t. Please don’t. I’ve severed intimate connections with Mariah. She and Duncan live at the house for the most part, but they have lands of their own and after the ceremony I’ll ensure they leave. I want you to take this seriously, Isobel and the only way I can do that is by convincing you that I want this marriage to be a real one. Will you marry me?

      Yes.

      Relief surged through him, quickly replaced by apprehension. He could make any woman he wished want him, but the stakes had never been as high before. He was wagering all his happiness on this. Living with Isobel without having her in his bed would be sheer torture, but there was something wrong, badly wrong, something she hadn’t told him, or, he shrewdly thought, anyone else either. He couldn’t live without her. He had to take the chance.

      Chapter Two

      Nick’s best friends broached the subject the afternoon Isobel was due to arrive at Ashby. The three had taken guns into the woods, rabbitting they said, but Nick wanted no chance of anyone overhearing the. So why exactly are you marrying her? Peter demanded.

      Nicholas lowered his gun from sighting at an unfortunate animal. Why do you think?

      Severus, an immensely practical man with a penchant for watching the stars, shrugged his broad shoulders. Can’t think why you still want her. You’ve had the females throwing themselves at you any time this last eight years, and you settle for a woman with a reputation like that!

      Nick frowned. If Severus weren’t one of his dearest friends, he would never have allowed him to speak so about his future bride. He’d asked for it, he supposed. A reputation like what, Sev?

      The tall man looked down and shifted his foot about, creating patterns in the soft earth with one well-polished boot. The scandals about her late husband. It’ll be hard for her to live those down. Sorry if it offends you, but who’s going to tell you the truth if we don’t?

      Nick moved to stand beside Severus and clapped him on the shoulder. No, I’m sorry. You know you have the right to say anything to me.

      Severus looked at his friend. Yes, but I wouldn’t like to be in the wrong with your new bride. Funny thing is, I can’t work out for myself why you would take her when you can have anyone.

      To save her from scandal? Peter suggested gently. Nick glared at him, but Peter continued, undaunted. Nothing will restore her in society like marrying the man she once jilted.

      A spasm crossed Nick’s face. Oh well done! Severus hissed to Peter.

      Any idea now? Peter demanded of him.

      Severus shook his head. What puzzles me is that you gave her a chance eight years ago and she gave you the office. You could be holding yourself up to ridicule, dear boy.

      Not if the thing goes right. And this time it will, Nick thought grimly.

      Did you ever see her when she was married?

      I did, said Peter softly. I told Nick, but he kept away.

      Did you? Severus lifted his eyebrows in surprise. You didn’t tell me.

      Tell him. Nick made himself busy reloading his flintlock, resting the silver chased stock on the ground. That way he didn’t have to look at anyone and reveal just how much this meant to him.

      She was miserable, Peter said.

      Serve her right, from the tactless Severus, but Nick and Peter were used to his comments now. Severus could be as suave as Nick if he chose, but he rarely did so in private.

      This was the reason Nick had elected to take his friends out shooting. With his future bride expected today, he wanted one last chance to talk with them privately, to give them the freedom they’d always enjoyed with him. The house was full, or it seemed so. Where no guests lingered there were servants readying the place for its new mistress. There was nowhere they could talk, but here, in the open with the bearers and loaders standing at a distance, no one could overhear.

      I always appreciated your opinions, he said now. And I’m asking for them now. Peter?

      Peter gave up all pretence at shooting and rested the barrel of his flintlock on the ground, leaning on the butt, staring at his friend. I know why you’re doing it, but that’s your concern. You want to know how I see it, how the rest of the world will look at it, aren’t you?

      Precisely.

      Peter frowned in thought. The only sound was the birds and the sound of a slight breeze in the trees at the far end of the field. All right, he said eventually. I think they’ll marvel, and speculate. There’ll be a few prints in the shops, mostly aimed at you. You’ll be Gilles or Aunt Sally, but not for long. That’s if it comes off. If she jilts you again you’d better find someone else quick, make it look as though you jilted her, or you’ll be a laughing stock.

      She won’t. Nick sounded more confident than he felt. Peter eyed him sceptically, his thin lips pursed. I’ve told her I’ll shoot her if she thinks of doing such a thing again. That made the look disappear and Peter laughed again. And what about the scandal? Nick persisted. What will they say about that?

      When Thoroughgood killed himself I heard all kinds of stories, Peter admitted. You must have heard some of them too.

      Oh yes, but Parliament is a much better source of gossip than Whites!

      Peter saw nothing to cavil at in that. True enough. They said all sorts of things about that. They were supposed to have married for love, and so when he killed himself they said she’d driven him to it. Nick frowned. There’d never been a breath of scandal about her; she'd never strayed to anyone’s knowledge.

      Grim-faced, Nick turned to his other friend. What do you think, Sev? You’d better say it all now, because tomorrow you won’t get the chance!

      To Nick’s surprise a dreamy look filled his friend’s face. I think she was very beautiful, and she had a grace few girls have. I was truly sorry when she ran off; I thought you and she would make a good match. Now she’s back, and I just hope you manage to get to the altar this time!

      Thanks, old man. Moved, but knowing Severus wouldn’t appreciate a show of emotion, Nick offered his hand and felt it grasped warmly. Is that all? You don’t want to say anything else?

      Well I saw how you took it when she ran off with Thoroughgood, Severus said frankly. And I’m glad you came to us. What you did after wasn’t so good.

      Was it not? Nick’s face began to freeze, then he remembered. He’d asked for this, and he’d better have the courage not to block his friends out. It was true, only these two had seen his despair when he lost her, stayed with him over the long nights of drunken oblivion, put him to bed, held basins under his chin when he needed to be sick. He’d left Ashby, gone to his bolt-hole in Leicestershire, but they had found him and stayed with him.

      He remembered the debauches, the succession of mistresses, none of whom meant anything to him, and then remembered that the last in the line was in the house now. As if reading his mind, Severus demanded, Why did you ask her? Mariah Seyton, I mean? She’s bound to make trouble.

      When Nick had given her her congé, explained to her why he was severing their previous amicable arrangement, she’d cut up rough. He’d always made it clear their affair was not one of passion, never lied to her, but Mariah was a lovely woman, blonde and ample, and he’d enjoyed their uncomplicated meetings. Now it seemed she’d hoped for more, and she was making no secret of it. Nick had hoped Mariah would have the sense to stay away from his wedding, but she had arrived a few days before, wearing her most seductive smile and her most revealing gowns.

      Not that it would do her any good. It couldn’t be helped. Her husband is my heir. He had to come. Nick said looked up at the sky. The sun’s going over. It must be time to go in.

      Peter took a watch out of his pocket. Nearly three, he told them.

      Startled, Nick exclaimed, No, is it really! Dinner’s at four!

      He picked up his long flintlock and propped it over his shoulder, but before he could stride off, Severus put his hand on his arm to stop him. You never said why you’d decided to propose to Isobel again. We thought you might have recovered from it after she married Thoroughgood.

      Nick shook his head. No, I never did. Shall I tell you something? He went on without waiting for an answer. When I was twelve years old, my parents had a house party. They invited many people I hadn’t met before and allowed me a little more time with the guests, brought me down from the schoolroom. I was allowed to attend dinner the first night. He gazed into the distance, not seeing the trees or the carpets of late bluebells underneath them. I was excited, but trying very hard not to show it. Then I saw her. A sprite, I thought at first, fair hair glinting in the candlelight, dressed in something simple. He paused. Pale blue silk that didn’t fit her too well, as if she’d grown up recently. She was ten years old.

      Isobel.

      Yes, Isobel. I fell in love with her then. We were allowed to play together, but although it was all innocent, I became her knight from that moment. I would have done anything for her. I still will.

      The long pause was broken when Peter said to Severus, See? No other woman ever stood a chance.

      They stared at the breeze stirring the bluebells and Nick remembered that long-ago moment when he’d seen Isobel for the very first time. He hadn’t seen her much after that, but he’d never forgotten her and when she was eighteen, had set out to make her his bride. Her first season. Lovely enough to snare anyone she wanted, Isobel hadn’t realised she was already his until he’d made it clear to her

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1