And waited. She had sent a note that should have brought the earl to the library ten minutes since. As the clock on the Adam mantelpiece ticked away the minutes, Isabel wondered, not for the first time, if a planned compromise might be an inauspicious way to begin a marriage.

But it was too late to wonder now. The door to the library eased open and Isabel could see the silhouette of a man's head against the dim light of the hall sconces. "Come in." Her voice was a low, intimate murmur.

The door swung inward and Isabel wriggled her gown a little lower around her shoulders. "Over here."

The dark figure hesitated at the threshold, shrugged, closed the door with a soft click and crossed the room.

The cushions sank as he lowered himself onto the settee. She leaned forward, seeking him in the dark. Her hands met a solid wall of chest. She hesitated only a moment before sliding them over his broad shoulders and wrapping her arms around his neck.

Isabel inhaled deeply, imbibing the fascinating scent of clean linen, sandalwood and masculine flesh. She pressed herself against the hard chest and moved sinuously.

At last.

Strong arms came around her and hauled her close. A mouth came down on hers and demanded a response. Lips like velvet caressed her own and a tongue of tantalizing sweetness sought entrance to her mouth.

Isabel parted her lips and met the invading tongue, inviting it to continue the incursion, offering the access it demanded and that she suddenly could not wait to provide. Warmth flooded her body and left her light-headed. Had she known Edward kissed like this, she would have cornered him months ago.

His mouth was an unending source of delight. No sooner had Isabel adjusted her rhythm to the fierce duel of tongues than his retreated and the kiss became a field of pleasure. The pressure of his lips shifted from level to level, from demanding to coaxing, from ravenous to tender.

And just as Isabel was lulled into a voluptuous haze, he nipped at her lips and, drawing the lower one into his mouth, sucked like a boy with his first lemon drop.

The kiss went on forever. Floating in the warm stream of desire, Isabel forgot why she was there, forgot everything but the pressure of smooth lips, the wine-scented breath, the texture of his tongue, the comfort of his arms.

Gradually, Edward's embrace eased and his hands drifted to her shoulders and lingered there, the palms making soft circles against her skin. He skimmed his hands down her arms and her loosened bodice fell away from her body. He hesitated only briefly before sliding his hands into the gaping front of her gown.

Isabel gasped as confident hands met delicate flesh. Burning, Isabel reached up and drew her dark lover down with her. Her lips parted and the library door opened.

Not now!

Isabel came to her senses. This was what she had planned, was it not? There would be time enough for pleasure once she and Edward were wed. She sat up, making a show of covering herself, and looked toward the door. Her aunt appeared at the door holding a large branch of candles and with her, just as Isabel had hoped, stood the entire party.

Straightening her clothes, Isabel surveyed the group. Her aunt, the Broadribbs, Lady Augusta, Sir Henry and Maria Kendrick crowded the doorway. And, right behind Lady Louisa, Edward Burnet, Earl of Caenby.

Wait!

Isabel whirled around to find Major Sidney Chamberlayne standing at attention beside the settee: half-pay officer newly returned from the Peninsula, younger son without a feather to fly with. No title, no fortune, no prospects. Her heart sank.

"But, you were...."

The major stood ramrod straight in stricken silence, his face drained of all color.

Isabel grabbed at her clothes and lurched to her feet, struggling to pull up her bodice in earnest. She faced the group who had by now crowded into the room. "It is not what you think." She turned a pleading look toward the earl.

"Edward...."

The earl examined the disheveled couple standing before him, an astonished smile stealing over his face. "I take it I am to wish you happy."

As Isabel stammered, searching for a response, Sidney Chamberlayne stepped forward and stood beside her, his face a grim mask. "I thank you, Lord Caenby. We thank you. We hope, of course, to be married as soon as possible."

Isabel fainted.