Page 85 of A Night of Forever
Trust her.
He held her gaze and took the plunge from the top of the cliff. He would believe her. “I agree that they are most probably planning a move on us. If not, they would have taken you. Dufort might have known I was following him—hence the kiss. If you were his lover, he would have taken you to keep you safe from us. If you weren’t, he would have taken you for leverage. Therefore, it’s safe to assume they have one more plan. Victoria intends to move against me before she quits England.”
“You believe her?” Maitland threw his arms in the air. “I never took you for a fool.”
Was he a fool? “I think Dufort knew I was following him. He kissed Isobel on purpose so I’d see and report back. Divide and conquer.” He glared at Maitland. “It’s working.”
Maitland wasn’t convinced. “Are you willing to stake your life on it? Stake all our lives?”
He considered the question and eyed Isobel. She leaned forward slightly in her chair, as if willing him to defend her. This time he could read her clearly. She hoped he believed her.
Trust her or lose her.
“I’d stake my life on Isobel’s word rather than the word of a twisted woman like Victoria or a lapdog like Dufort.” It wasn’t an out-and-out declaration of his belief in her innocence, but he’d chosen a side.
He shifted his gaze to Maitland. “Besides, we can watch Isobel. We can’t watch Victoria or Dufort. Who knows when they’ll strike?”
He sensed, rather than saw, Isobel slump in her chair. When he finally had the courage to glance back at her, the pain on her face told him his lack of a decisive declaration of trust had hurt her badly. His heart gave a hard kick in his chest.
Maitland laughed. It was an unpleasant sound, full of malevolence and menace. “I’m thrilled you believe Isobel. What the hell is wrong with you? The woman has you so tied up in lust you would sell your grandmother were she still alive. We all know about your past experience with femmes fatales.”
“Steady on, old boy.” Philip gripped Arend’s arm, pressing him back into his seat before he could launch himself at Maitland. “That kind of talk is not helping anyone.”
Isobel rose, and all the men with the exception of Maitland did so too. “It certainly isn’t. If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll retire.”
She shot the still seated duke a look of pure loathing. “It would seem yougentlemenhave much to discuss. There is nothing more I can add. Either believe me or do not.”
Arend crossed the room and opened the door for her. He didn’t want to get into another “discussion” with Maitland. He’d say something he’d regret or he’d plant a fist in his friend’s face. He couldn’t face either prospect.
She glanced at him and slowed as she passed. “There is no need to follow me. I’m not going anywhere.”
He moved closer. Lowered his voice. “I don’t intend to follow you. I intend to talk with you. In private.”
She hesitated, then nodded and walked out.
Arend gave the room’s occupants a single, scorching glare and left the room in her wake, slamming the door behind him.
Stalking after her as she made her way up the narrow staircase to the sleeping chambers above was both heaven and hell. The swaying of her bottom as she moved made his body tighten and throb, and images flooded his mind: Isobel on all fours, glancing over her shoulder at him, her pert, naked bottom an offering for his hands and mouth, her tight heat open to his cock—
He smothered a groan. Maitland had been right about one thing. This woman sent his world spinning; he could not deny that. When he heard her laughter or her soft voice in his ear, his defenses crumbled and he wanted to believe in a happy future with her.
By the time he entered their room, she was standing by the small fire in the grate opposite the bed, her back to him. To a stranger, to a man who did not know her as well as he did, she might look fragile, but he knew that she was made of steel.
Arend closed the door behind him and crossed the room to stand at her side.
He took her tiny hand in his. “I believe Victoria will try something.”
“She won’t go after one of the wives.” Isobel didn’t look at him but stared down into the fire. “She’ll go after you. She must have a very good plan, one she’s positive will succeed, if she was willing to give up the chance to capture me. The easiest way to lure you out would have been to take me then. Why didn’t she?”
“That’s what the others will be discussing,” Arend said steadily. “And their conclusions will not look good for you. They will assume you’re lying to save yourself.”
Now she turned her head to look at him. “I don’t care what those men downstairs think. But I care deeply what you think.”
He lifted his hand and cupped her chin. “I believe you.”
To his surprise he realized he was speaking the truth. He did believe her.
She studied him silently for several moments before her luscious lips curved up in a smile. She moved into him, and he enfolded her in his arms, stroking down her back.
