of man Alesandra's father was, and to understand the debt I owe him. Second, I want you to understand how I feel about his daughter. She's all alone in this world now and it is my duty to see she's protected from harm.'
'It is our duty as well,' Caine interjected.
Colin nodded agreement. The three men lapsed into silence again, each caught up in his own thoughts.
Colin tried to consider all the ramifications.
He had nothing to offer her. He had an empire to build, damn it, and there simply wasn't room or time for a wife.
She would drive him to distraction.
But there was the debt to be repaid, and all three of them were bound by honor to look out for Princess Alesandra.
His father was too old to take on the duty of keeping her safe. He didn't have the experience dealing with bastards either, Colin decided.
And then there was Caine. His older brother was busy running his own estates. He was married, too, and had his own family to consider.
There was only one son left.
Colin glanced up and noticed both his father and his brother were staring at him. He let out a loud sigh. They had known all along, of course, and were only waiting for him to come to the same conclusion.
'Hell, I'm going to have to marry her, aren't I?'
Chapter 7
Colin's father wanted to be the one to break the good news to Alesandra. Colin wouldn't let him. He thought he should be the one to tell her what had been decided.
'May I offer a word of advice, brother?' Caine asked.
He waited for Colin's nod, then said, 'I don't believe you should tell her anything…'
His father wouldn't let him finish. 'She'll have to know, Caine.'
His son smiled. 'Yes, of course she'll have to know,' he agreed. 'However, from my rather limited experience with women I've still been able to surmise that they don't like being told anything. Colin should ask her to marry him.'
'Do it at the dinner table then,' his father suggested.
Colin smiled. 'I'll decide when and where,' he announced.
'Will you promise me you'll have it settled before the night is over?' his father demanded. 'I can't say a word until you've asked. And Gweneth will have to start work on the arrangements.'
'Mother has already seen to everything,' Colin replied.
His father stood up and rubbed his hands together. 'I can't tell you how pleased I am, and I'm certain Alesandra's going to be thrilled.'
Because his father was looking so proud of himself, neither Colin nor Caine reminded him that less than an hour ago he'd been against a marriage between his ward and his son. He'd believed they were completely unsuited to each other.
Caine wanted to have a private discussion with Colin but their mother came hurrying into the salon then, demanding everyone's attention.
The Duchess of Williamshire was a petite woman with blond curls and hazel-colored eyes. Her husband and sons towered over her. The years had been very kind to the lovely woman. She had very few wrinkles and only a hint of gray in her hair.
Gweneth was actually Caine's stepmother, but no one paid any attention to that distinction. She treated him as one of her own, and Caine had long ago accepted her as his mother.
'Jade and Alesandra will be down in just a moment. Do come into the dining room. Supper will get cold. Boys, give your mother a kiss. Heavens, you've lost some weight, Caine, haven't you? Colin, dear, how is your leg? Is it paining you?'
Her sons understood that their mother didn't really expect answers to her questions. They understood she liked to coddle, too, and put up with the show of motherly concern without even a hint of a reminder that they were both fully grown men now.
Gweneth was the only one who dared inquire about Colin's leg. Everyone else understood they were to ignore the affliction.
'Caine, Princess Alesandra is the most delightful young woman.'
His wife made that remark as she came strolling into the salon. She paused on her way to her husband's side to give his father a kiss in greeting, then stopped again to kiss Colin on his cheek.
'Are you enchanted by Alesandra, Dolphin?' she asked Colin, using the nickname he'd earned from his days on the seas.
'Where is she?' Colin asked.
'In your father's library,' Jade answered. Her green eyes sparkled with amusement. 'She caught sight of all his books and almost swooned with joy. When I left her, she was looking through his journal on the latest shipping innovations.'
Gweneth immediately turned to the butler and requested that he go upstairs and tell Alesandra dinner was waiting.
Jade linked her arm through her husband's. She was dying to ask him what had been decided at the family conference, but couldn't because Colin and their parents were standing so close.
Caine brushed his wife's deep red hair back over her shoulder and leaned down to kiss her.
'I believe we should go on in,' Gweneth announced. She took her husband's arm and walked by his side out of the salon. Colin followed until Caine called out to him. 'I want to talk to you in private later,' he requested.
'There isn't anything to talk about,' Colin countered. He could tell from his brother's expression he wanted to discuss Alesandra again.
'I believe there is,' Caine countered.
'Do forgive me for interrupting,' Jade said then. 'But I've just come up with a wonderful suggestion for a suitable husband. Have you considered Johnson? You remember him, Colin. He's Lyon 's good friend,' she reminded her brother-in-law.
'I remember him,' Colin agreed.
'And?' Jade prodded when he didn't continue.
'I can tell you right now he won't do,' Caine drawled out.
'Why not?' Jade asked. 'I like him.'
'So do I,' Caine agreed. 'But Colin will find something wrong with him. Besides, the matter has already been settled.'
Caine shook his head at his wife when she started to protest, added a wink so her feelings wouldn't be injured, and then whispered, 'Later,' to let her know he would explain everything when they were alone.
Colin turned around and walked out of the salon. He didn't go into the dining room however, but started up the steps.
'Go ahead without us,' he called down to Caine. 'I must speak to Alesandra for a few minutes.'
Colin didn't think it would take him any time at all to explain to Alesandra he was going to marry her. No, that announcement wouldn't take more than a minute. The rest of the time would be spent on expectations. His.
The library was down at the end of the long corridor. Alesandra was standing in front of the window, looking out. She held a thick book in her hands. She turned when Colin walked inside.
He shut the door behind him and then leaned against it. He frowned at her. She smiled at him.
'You are finished with your conference?' she asked.
'Yes.'
'I see,' she whispered when he didn't continue. She walked over to the desk and put the book down on the ink blotter. 'What was decided?' she asked then, trying desperately to sound only mildly interested.
He started to tell her he was going to marry her, then took Caine's advice and put the decision into a question.
'Will you marry me, Alesandra?'
