Free Dueling With the Duke (Brotherhood of the Sword) by Robyn DeHart Page B

But in Gabriel’s arms, for the briefest of moments, he had lit a fire in her that still burned hot.
    Her suppressed passionate nature mattered not. She was not here to have an affair with Gabriel. They were two people whose lives had crossed, and now they were collaborating. That was the extent of their relationship. She’d do well to remember that. Gabe was interested in searching Thornton’s belongings to uncover any information about whom he might be working with. She wanted to find something, anything that might give her a clue about Isabel’s real identity. In order to fully protect the girl, Lilith needed to know who she truly was.
    After the carriage stopped, they made their way up the steps to her townhome. Nerves gnawed at her, making her palms sweat and her stomach twist. There was nothing about this place that made her feel welcomed or safe. This had been nothing but her own personal prison for the last six years. She shoved aside the feelings and used her key on the front door. She was met by the Nettleses, her butler and housekeeper. They were a kindly brother and sister whom she had hired herself shortly after marrying Thornton. They had been the only two servants that had remained with her from the beginning, and their loyalty meant everything.
    “Lady Thornton,” Miss Nettles said, relief pouring over her features. “We were so worried when you didn’t return.”
    “Yes, my dear, we were so concerned,” the butler said. He gave her a sweet smile.
    “All is well, I assure you,” she told them. “His Grace, the Duke of Lynford,” she motioned to Gabriel, “has been seeing to my protection.”
    “And the earl?” Mr. Nettles asked.
    “We know nothing for certain,” Lilith said. “But it is believed he is dead.”
    Miss Nettles covered her mouth, effectively silencing her shriek.
    Lilith nodded reassuringly. “All will be well.” How many times did she have to say that to someone else before she herself believed it to be true? “Now then, we shall be in the study.” She motioned for Gabe to follow her, and they walked down the corridor to Thornton’s study, a room he rarely allowed her entrance.
    She pulled the door closed, effectively barricading Gabriel and herself inside. The stale scent of Thornton’s cigars rolled over her, souring her stomach. The room appeared no different than it had when Thornton had been alive. The dark wood paneling and heavy wool draperies rendered the room a dark dungeon. Her heart tempo sped, and she willed herself to relax. He no longer held any power over her.
    “What do you suppose you’re looking for?” she asked. She, herself, was unsure where to start. Thornton had to have some information about Isabel.
    Gabe scanned the room. “There had to have been some correspondence between Thornton and his accomplices. Most people keep those sorts of things in their desk. I’ll start there.”
    She nodded. Was that where she’d find details about Isabel, too? Did Thornton have letters from Isabel’s mother? She and Gabriel couldn’t very well search the same area. They’d be entirely too close to each other. After their brief kiss, she’d already spent what felt like an eternity in the closed carriage with him. Just the sound of his breathing and the scent of his shaving lotion were enough to fill her senses and keep that kiss replaying in her mind.
    She decided that since Gabe would be searching the desk, she’d look first in the bookshelf behind it. “Is there anything I should be looking for, specifically?”
    “Anything that looks suspicious,” he said. Did that mean he still wasn’t telling her everything, that he did not fully trust her? The acknowledgment of that wounded her—she could not deny that. Of course, she didn’t trust him, either, so why should she bother being offended by such a thing? But with her, it wasn’t personal; she trusted no one. Still, she’d proposed a truce, one where they’d have to rely on each other.
    She