A Summons From the Duke by Jerrica Knight-Catania, Lilia Birney, Samantha Grace Read Free Book Online Page B

the room. She glanced in that direction briefly then turned back to Emma. Until it registered in her mind what she’d just seen. Blast it all, Lockwell played the pianoforte?
    “ I believe he likes me. He did kiss me after all.”
    That got Isabel’s attention. “He kissed you?” she asked, unable to hide the dismay in her voice. She’d always assumed Emma would be the first one to receive a kiss, but somehow she suddenly felt left out. Or perhaps left behind. Either way, she didn’t like the feeling.
    Emma nodded. “Yes! And it was wonderful, Izzy. I wish I could explain it, but I can’t. It’s magical.”
    “ And you’re ready to bank the rest of life on one little kiss?”
    “ Well, two, really—”
    “ Two? ” Isabel’s gaze shifted back to Lockwell at the piano. Damn. Why hadn’t she kissed him in the library? Why hadn’t she taken charge and demanded he kiss her ?
    Because she was a coward. And a ninny. And all kinds of other words that describe someone who lacked any spine.
    “ Oh, Izzy, please be happy for me,” Emma begged.
    “ I am, Em, truly I am,” she lied. She wanted to be happy for Emma, so it was really only a half lie. She was just finding it hard to believe. Or accept.
    Nonetheless, Isabel at least had to give the appearance of being happy for her, so she pasted on a bright smile, and said, “Emma, if you’re happy, then I’m happy.”
    Emma grabbed her and squeezed her so tightly, Isabel worried her stuffing might come out.
    “ I love you, Izzy,” she said into her ear. “And I know one day you’ll find someone, too. A man who won’t mind that you read books and sing horribly.”
    Isabel tried to laugh at her sister’s joke, but the laugh came out more like a strangled croak. She looked towards Lockwell again, then back at her sister. “I think I may retire early, Emma. Do you mind?”
    Emma smiled softly at her. “You will stand beside me in the morning?”
    Isabel fought the lump that rose in her throat. “Yes, yes, of course I will stand beside you.”
    They hugged one last time and then Isabel made her escape. Another moment in that room would be her undoing. She needed space and time to sort out all the horrific feelings boiling inside her. Feelings that were completely foreign to her. She’d never longed for a man before. She’d never been jealous of her sister before. What the devil was happening to her?
    ~*~
    As badly as Damien wanted to follow Isabel from the room, he knew he couldn’t. The abrupt end to the music would call attention to him, and there would be no escaping unnoticed. Besides, he needed to talk to Heathfield, wherever he was.
    As a matter of fact, the only other man in attendance was Sir Thomas, and he looked rather nonplussed, if you asked Damien.
    He looked to Lady Emma, who had what he might call an ethereal glow about her. Was it possible…? She spoke excitedly to her cousin and Miss Mason, but he couldn’t hear a word she said over the pianoforte. Blast his ability to play.
    Thankfully, it didn’t much matter, for the rest of the party finally returned to the drawing room. Damien removed his fingers from the keys and rushed to Heathfield’s side. Only Lady Emma got there first.
    Damien watched as Emma looked up at Heathfield, her eyes all doe-like and her smile serene. Heathfield returned the saccharine gaze, and Damien’s pulse raced. Blast it all, did they mean to…? No, they couldn’t possibly be planning—
    Lord Norland clinked a small spoon to the side of his wine glass, calling everyone to attention. “Everyone, please raise your glasses,” he said. “To celebrate my daughter’s betrothal to Lord Heathfield!”
    The women in the room tittered and cheered, while the men replied with “Here, here!” But Damien just stood rooted to his spot. Damn it all, he was losing another friend to matrimony. He could only pray that Andrew hadn’t yet succumbed to marriage. If he ever returned to the country, they could carouse as