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A smile spread over Isabella’s face and her eyes flashed excitement.

This was it. This was exactly what she had been looking for. A reason to antagonize her husband in a way that he couldnot wiggle out of or compliment his way through. A reasonable means by which she couldangerhim.

She felt a tingle ripple up the inside of her thighs. She felt her heart begin to beat just that little bit faster. Her husband angry. The two of them alone. Her wicked tongue refusing to behave itself because in this instance her husband deserved it.

Isabella continued to watch Duncan and the strange woman across the room, flirting outrageously in ways that delighted her. Was she jealous? She told herself that she was not, and that had nothing to do with why she was now so eager to act. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t take some pleasure in knowing that the woman, whoever she was, would be going home alone tonight while her husband would be going home with her.

And if I have my way, that is not all he will be doing…

Chapter Sixteen

She waited until they arrived home. But that was done purposefully.

Little was said on the trip back, a normal state of affairs, still companionable and without incident, but that was the problem. Again, Duncan complimented her and thanked her for a pleasant evening without drama.

“It was my pleasure,” she said simply, sure to keep her cool and let Duncan think that the night would be progressing, and then ending, smoothly. “I am just glad that you enjoyed yourself.”

“I did,” Duncan agreed, seemingly pleased with her content state.

When they walked inside the manor, it was expected that they would go their separate ways as was always the case after supper, when the evening came to an end. Duncan would go to his room to get ready for bed, and she would go to her own.

This time, Isabella changed course.

She walked after Duncan and followed him down the hallway. He didn’t notice her, reaching his room and opening the door, stepping inside and then closing it behind him without so much as a glance.

Isabella approached that closed door and raised her fist above her head to knock. She hesitated for a fraction of a moment, considering whether this was the best course of action. Once she knocked on that door, there would be no going back and she still could not say exactly what she expected, or even wanted to happen.

But then she remembered this past week. How pedestrian it had been. How simple and plain. Oh sure, it was pleasant enough and it was nice not to outwardly despise the man whom she was married to. But it wasn’t enough!

She remembered their first night, in the washroom, the Duke’s naked body glistening with soapy water as his eyes burned a furious warning that she was yet to meet.

A warmth spread through her body at the thought and she knocked once and then, without waiting for an answer, she opened the door and stepped inside.

“Isabella?” Duncan was in the middle of taking off his jacket, pausing with it halfway down his arms when she saw her close the door behind her. “What is this – is something the matter?”

“You tell me,” she said as she crossed the room to meet him.

He frowned, eyes flicking over her and trying to assess what this was about. He must have seen the determined look on her face, and surely he sensed that this wasn’t going to be a congenial conversation.

Still, he tried for a disarming smile. “Whatever it is, might it wait for tomorrow? It has been a big night, and I think we could both use some sleep.”

“No, I don’t think so.”

His face dropped and the side of his mouth twitched. “Are you sure about that? We have both had a few drinks tonight, perhaps some time to discuss...” His eyes flicked over her again. “Whatever this is, will do us well. By the way...” He forced the smile again. “That dress on you is --”

“Stop it,” she snapped, not daring to give him the chance to compliment or try and be nice. This ended tonight! “Enough with the feigned compliments and the forced niceties. Enough!”

He turned stiff. “Excuse me?”

“You heard what I said, and I am sick of it, Duncan.”

“I...” He clicked his tongue and took a calming breath. “I am not entirely certain what you mean, Isabella. All I have done is be kind to you, which I thought you might have appreciated.”

“And I might have, if it was real.”

“You think I am lying?”

She scoffed. “I think that a man who means what he says would not spend half the night flirting with a strange woman in the middle of a crowded party were everyone could see.” She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at him.