When the Rogue Returns by Sabrina Jeffries Page B

Edinburgh. You could witness some experiments.”
    “Oh, I’m sure Mr. Cale has no time for that,” Isa put in, a panicky note in her voice. “If he’s here on business, he’s probably going to be busy.”
    “Nonsense,” Victor said, determined to be the fly in her ointment until he found out what he needed to know. “I can mix a little pleasure with my business.” And he was supposed to be finding out more about Rupert’s relationship with Isa.
    “Wonderful!” Lochlaw said. “It’s not often I have a cousin in town. They tend to avoid Mother, especially the male ones.”
    Victor actually found himself sympathizing with the man. “They’re probably just intimidated by such a beautiful and elegant lady.”
    “No, I think they hate that she keeps touching them,” Lochlaw said matter-of-factly. “They seem to find it uncomfortable.”
    “Rupert!” Isa chided.
    He blinked. “Too direct?” He glanced at Victor. “I have a bad habit of saying what I mean, and not what I should. It gets me into trouble.” He smiled shyly at Isa. “Mrs. Franke helps me with that, too.”
    Victor was flummoxed. The baron sometimes seemed more like a schoolboy than a man, but he was definitely infatuated with Isa.
    Her feelings weren’t quite as clear, though she and the baron were obviously close. And that irritated Victor more than he liked.
    “It appears that Mrs. Franke helps you with quite a few things,” he said through gritted teeth.
    “Indeed she does,” Lochlaw answered. “She’s teaching me Dutch, so I can read Dutch articles about chemistry. There aren’t many, but I hate to miss anything. I already know German and French, so Dutch isn’t too difficult.”
    “Rupert is writing his own article,” Isa explained. “He knows a great deal about something called atomic theory.”
    “Speaking of that,” Lochlaw said to her, “I need Dalton’s book. I plan to read it this evening and start work on my article tomorrow.”
    “You’re not going to the theater?” Isa said.
    “The theater!” Rupert slammed his palm against his forehead. “I forgot all about it. Is it Saturday already?”
    “I’m afraid so. But if you would rather not go—”
    “We have to,” Rupert said firmly. “Mother insisted that I invite you. If we don’t show up, she will be very vexed. I shall just have to read the book tomorrow. Can you loan it to me?”
    “Certainly,” Isa said, determinedly ignoring Victor. “It’s best if you take me home anyway. I’m sure Mr. Cale has things to do.”
    “Nothing more important than squiring you about, Mrs. Franke,” Victor said as he watched his quarry slipping between his fingers. “You can bring the book tonight, so as not to inconvenience his lordship.”
    “It’s no inconvenience at all, cousin,” Lochlaw said heartily. “I’m a regular visitor at Mrs. Franke’s.”
    Victor clamped down on a hot retort.
    Isa stood and nearly overset the phaeton. “Then it’s settled.” She held her reticule against her chest like a shield as she stared pointedly down at Victor, obviously waiting for him to let her out. “I don’t wish to keep you, sir.”
    And it dawned on him why she was suddenly so eager to escape him. She didn’t want him to know where she lived.
    Unless she had another reason. Was she thinking of fleeing Edinburgh now that he’d shown up? His gut clenched at that possibility.
    But no. She was too entrenched in Edinburgh society to just run off, and she was clearly up to something with young Lochlaw. He doubted she would give that up.
    There was also the fact that she seemed to think she could once again make him out to be the one in the wrong. He would have to disabuse her of that notion.
    Reluctantly, he descended and helped her down. Lochlaw was already heading back to his curricle, so Victor took his chance to have a word alone with her. When she tried to slip away, he caught her waist in his hands.
    “Know this, Isa.” He fixed her with a hard gaze.