Caine was of the opposite opinion. The sparks flying between Alesandra and Colin were close to igniting, and each was desperately trying not to acknowledge the reason behind his or her frustration.
'How did you come to the conclusion they weren't suited?' Caine asked his father.
'Just look at the two of them together, son. It's plain for anyone to see. Alesandra's looking terribly uncomfortable and Colin hasn't quit frowning since he sat down. It's apparent they don't get along. And that, you see, is an important ingredient for a sound marriage.'
'Could we get on with it, Caine?' asked Colin.
'Colin, do you have to be so irritable?' Alesandra asked.
He didn't answer her. She turned her attention to Caine. 'He's been ill,' she reminded his brother, using that as her excuse for Colin's surly mood.
'It's this topic,' his father interjected with a frown in Colin's direction.
'If Colin agreed to marry you, Alesandra, would you have him?' Caine wanted to know.
'He has already declined,' Alesandra explained. 'And he wouldn't be acceptable anyway.'
'Why not?' Caine asked.
'Will you let it go?' Colin demanded.
Caine ignored his brother's protest. So did Alesandra. She frowned while she thought about her answer. She didn't want to confuse Caine but she didn't want to have to go into a lengthy explanation either. 'He isn't acceptable because he wouldn't touch my inheritance.'
'Damned right I wouldn't touch it.'
'There, do you understand now?'
Caine didn't understand anything. The look on his brother's face told him not to prod further, however. Colin looked ready to grab somebody's throat and Caine didn't want to be his victim.
'Isn't there a better way to handle this situation?' Caine asked then. 'Alesandra should be allowed to take her time…'
'But there isn't time,' his father interjected.
'I do thank you for your concern, Caine,' Alesandra added.
'Go ahead, son. Read the second name on the list.'
Caine gave up. The second name had also been crossed through. Caine moved to the third name. 'Horton,' he read. 'The Earl of Wheaton.'
'I met him once,' his father announced. 'He seemed like a decent chap to me.'
Caine was nodding agreement when Colin started shaking his head. 'What's wrong with him, Colin?' his brother asked.
'He's a drunk. He won't do.'
'He's a drunk?' his father asked. 'I never realized that about Horton. Cross him off, Caine,' he added with a scowl. 'I won't have her wed to a drunk.'
'Thank you, Uncle Henry.'
Colin could feel himself getting ready to explode. It took all he had to keep his temper under control. In truth, he didn't understand why he was so agitated. He had made the decision not to marry Alesandra, but, damn it all, the thought of anyone else touching her didn't sit well with him.
As though it were the most natural thing in the world to do, Colin leaned back against the cushions and put his arm around Alesandra's shoulders. She instinctively moved closer to him. He could feel her trembling, knew then she hated having to go through this ordeal as much as he did.
Caine was right. There had to be a better way.
His brother drew his attention when he read the next name. 'Kingsford, the Earl of Lockwood.'
'Gweneth suggested Kingsford,' his father announced. 'She was taken with his polite ways.'
Colin shook his head. 'He might be polite, but he's also got a reputation for his sadistic pleasures.'
'Good God,' his father muttered. 'Sadistic pleasures, you say? Mark him off, Caine.'
'Yes, Father,' Caine agreed. He read the next name. 'Williams, the Marquess of Coringham.'
'I suggested him,' his father explained. His voice reeked with fresh enthusiasm. 'He's a fine fellow. I've known the family for years. Comes from good blood, Harry does.'
Caine was having difficulty maintaining his serious expression. Colin was already shaking his head.
'Harry's a womanizer,' Colin announced.
'I never realized that about Harry,' his father muttered. 'Gweneth and I need to get out more often. I'd pick up on these things if we mingled more with society. All right, then, he won't do. We aren't marrying her to a future adulterer.'
Caine stared at Colin when he called out the next name on the list. 'Johnson, the Earl of Wentzhill.'
He hadn't gotten the man's full title out of his mouth before Colin started shaking his head.
And so it continued. Colin found something wrong with every man mentioned. By the time Caine had gotten to the last name on the list, the Duke of Williamshire was slumped in the corner of the settee, his hand to his forehead, looking thoroughly defeated. Caine could barely contain his amusement. His brother was having difficulty coming up with a suitable vice after Caine had read the last name, Morgan Atkins, the Earl of Oakmount, and Caine was dying to hear what he had to say about him.
'I've met Morgan,' Alesandra announced. 'He came to Colin's house to discuss a business matter. He seemed very nice.'
Alesandra's voice lacked conviction. She was having trouble hiding her unhappiness now. She hated what was happening. She felt out of control of her future and her destiny. Just as horrible to her, she was beginning to feel like a charity case.
'I can't give you an opinion of Morgan,' Caine remarked. 'I've never met him.'
'I've met him,' his father said. 'I liked him well enough. Perhaps we could invite him over for… Why in God's name are you shaking your head now, Colin?'
'Yes, brother,' Caine interjected. 'What's wrong with Morgan?',
Colin let out a sigh. He was having difficulty finding anything wrong with the man. Caine wasn't helping him concentrate. He started laughing.
'This isn't amusing,' Colin snapped.
'Yes, it is,' Caine contradicted. 'Let's see now,' he drawled out. 'So far we've discarded nine possible candidates because of drunkenness, averice, gluttony, jealousy, perversion, greed, lust, and so on, and I'd really love to hear your reason for finding Morgan unsuitable. I believe you've used up all the seven deadly sins, Colin.'
'What are you suggesting, Caine?' Colin demanded.
'You don't like any of them.'
'Damned right I don't. I'm thinking of Alesandra's happiness. She's a princess. She deserves better.'
That last remark told Caine everything he needed to know. He now understood why Colin was in such a foul mood. It was obvious to Caine that his brother wanted Alesandra, but in his mind he had decided he wasn't worthy enough. Oh, yes, that was it, Caine decided. Colin was the second son and therefore hadn't inherited land or title. His obsession with building an empire was all part of his quest to achieve recognition on his own. Caine was proud that his brother was an independent man, but, damn it all, that pride would force him to let Alesandra slip away.
Unless he was forced into marriage, of course.
'But what about Morgan?' his father asked again. 'What's wrong with him?'
'Nothing,' Colin snapped.
His father was beginning to smile when Colin added, 'If Alesandra doesn't mind bowlegged children.'
'For the love of…' His father slumped back against the cushions in defeat.
'Is Morgan bowlegged?' Caine asked Alesandra. He was feeling quite proud of himself. He'd been able to ask that question without even cracking a smile.
'I must confess I didn't notice his legs, but if Colin says he's bowlegged, then he must be. Will I have to have children?'
'Yes,' Colin told her.
'He won't do then. I don't wish to have bowlegged children.'
She turned to look up at Colin. 'Is it a painful condition?' she asked him in a whisper.
