Thank you for notifyihg me about the review it was a lovely surprise. Here is the requested excerpt:

Arend turned back to Isobel. “May I have the pleasure of this dance, Lady Isobel?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Did my stepmother put you up to this?”

Interesting. That response he had not expected. Isobel was not dazzled by his attention. He appeared to be losing his touch.

He gave her one of his most seductive smiles and took her gloved hand, running his thumb over her palm. “No. I spied you from across the room and did not wish to miss the chance to dance with the most beautiful woman here tonight.”

To his surprise her prickly demeanor did not melt.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “But my dance card is full.”

She was lying. He knew that, and she knew he knew, or her partner would be here to take her onto the floor.

Annoyance flickered to interest. She’d expect him to do the polite thing and bow out, did she? Then the lovely Lady Isobel had a lot to learn about him. Her education might as well start now.

He made a show of glancing around. “It would appear your partner has been detained.” And he held out his arm. Unless she caused a scene, there was little she could do but take it.

She did not take it. Instead, she smiled sweetly. “I’m sorry, Lord Labourd, but I’m sure you’ll understand if I cry off accepting your . . . kind invitation. My feet are dreadfully sore. New slippers, I’m afraid. However—” She turned to her friend. “—I’m sure Lady Cassandra will be my savior and partner you instead. Since you seem so eager to dance.”

To Arend, the defiance in her gaze, in her stance, was a challenge incarnate. She might have won this battle but she would not win the war. Too many people’s lives depended on his success. The lives of the people he cared about most. Since he was estranged from the only family he had left, his vicar brother, he would claw through the devil’s own flames to protect his friends.

A jolt of pure desire sizzled through Arend at the prospect of pitting his wits against this lovely adversary. It would be a most challenging seduction.

He took a step toward her, so their bodies brushed. She trembled. It annoyed him how that slight touch aroused him so swiftly.

Isobel moved quickly, almost pushing her thunderstruck friend forward. Caught by surprise, he caught the other young lady’s arm so she didn’t fall—and that was how he found himself escorting the wrong debutante onto the dance floor.

Furious at being outmaneuvered, Arend bit the inside of his cheek to stop a curse spilling out of his mouth.

If Isobel had no secrets, she would not be so determined to keep him at arm’s length. He was going to uncover those secrets and do whatever it took to stop Victoria. Or die trying.