“Good night, Robert,” Lisa murmured as he reached the door and it was the sexiest damned sound he’d ever heard: soft and sleepy, almost a whisper. He could imagine her saying his name just that way, but in sleepy greeting as he slid into bed next to her, his naked body sliding against hers.

She was definitely going to be the death of him, Robert decided. He didn’t respond to her words, but simply headed silently up the hall, his expression unhappy.

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

“I hope you are feeling better, Miss Madison.”

Lisa turned from Suzette to peer at the man who had spoken, her eyes widening slightly when she saw that it was Lord Pembroke . . . whom she was supposed to stay away from. She should have realized he would attend the ball.

“Oh, yes, I—How did you know I was ill?” she asked suddenly, suspicion crowding her mind.

Pembroke’s eyebrows rose slightly at the sharp question, but he explained gently, “Because when I sent a calling card today, your sister responded that you were feeling poorly and not accepting visitors in favor of resting up and recovering for tonight’s ball. And then Tibald just told me that you were apparently unwell last night and didn’t make an appearance then either.”

“Oh, yes,” Lisa murmured on a sigh, feeling guilty for her brief suspicions. Really, after some thought she found it hard to believe Pembroke could be behind her sudden illness. He seemed a very nice and likeable man. And handsome as he was, it was hard to believe he had to kidnap young women. Most would probably throw themselves at his feet, which reminded her of something Mrs. Morgan had said about the suitor and made her suspicions rise again.

“Are you feeling better?” Pembroke asked gently, reminding her of his earlier question.

“Oh, yes, thank you,” she responded, her smile a bit forced now. “Much better.”

“Good,” he said with a nod. “Then I hope you saved a dance for me.”

“Oh . . . I don’t think . . .” She made a show of searching the bag at her waist for her dance card, her mind working as she tried to word the lie that she didn’t have a single dance left.

However, she was stymied in her efforts to do as Robert wanted and avoid the man when Suzette said, “I have your card, dear. Remember Daniel asked you to save a dance for him and I was filling it in for you.”

“Oh, yes, of course,” Lisa muttered, turning to her.

“And you do have a dance or two left,” Suzette said cheerfully. “See? A quadrille and a waltz. In fact, the waltz still available is the first song of the night and should be starting any moment.”

Lisa froze as Suzette stuck the card under her nose so she could see.