Castles

so she would be heard above Caine's laughter.

'Yes,' Colin answered.

She sagged with relief and gratitude. The feeling was short-lived, however.

'If Morgan still wants you after I've explained how we spent the last week, he's a better man than I am.'

'You don't have to tell him anything.' Alesandra tried to control the anger in her voice. She didn't want to lose her dignity, but, Lord, Colin was making that difficult. Her composure was in shreds and her throat was aching with the need to shout.

'Oh, but I do have to explain the situation to Morgan,' Colin said. 'It's the only honorable thing to do. Isn't that right, Caine?'

'Absolutely right,' Caine agreed. 'It's the only honorable thing to do.'

Caine turned to his wife then. 'Sweetheart, I don't believe you'll need to have that private talk about the marriage bed with Alesandra after all.'

Alesandra glared at Caine for that comment, because she could tell from his grin he was jesting.

'Dear God, what must Nathaniel be thinking? He's looking down from heaven and probably shaking his head in regret for leaving his daughter in my hands.'

'Uncle Henry, my father wouldn't have any regrets,' Alesandra announced. She was so furious with Colin for getting his own papa upset her voice crackled with tension. 'Nothing sinful happened. I did go into his room and I did sleep with him, but only because he was so demanding and I became so weary…'

The Duke of Williamshire covered his forehead with his hands and let out a low groan. Alesandra knew she was making a mess out of her explanation and tried to start over. 'I kept my clothes on,' she blurted out. 'And he…'

She was going to explain that Colin had been ill and had needed her help, but she was interrupted before she could finish.

'I wasn't wearing anything,' Colin cheerfully informed his family.

'That's it,' his father bellowed. His fist came down hard on the tabletop. The crystal goblets clattered together in reaction.

Alesandra jumped, then turned to glare at Colin. She'd never been this angry in all her life. Colin had deliberately twisted the truth to his advantage and now her guardian thought she was a trollop. She decided she wasn't going to sit there another second. She threw her napkin on the table and tried to leave. Colin caught her before she'd even pushed her chair back. He put his arm around her shoulders and hauled her into his side.

'You two are going to be married in exactly three days' time. Caine, you see to the special license. Colin, you keep silent about what happened. I won't have Alesandra's reputation in tatters because of your lust.'

'Three days, Henry?' Gweneth asked. 'The church is reserved for the Saturday after next. Couldn't you reconsider?'

Her husband shook his head. 'Three days,' he repeated. He noticed Colin had his arm around Alesandra's shoulders and added, 'He can't keep his hands off her as it is.'

'But, Henry…' his wife pleaded.

'My mind's set, Gweneth. You may invite a few close friends if you're wanting to, but that is the only concession I'll allow.'

'No, Father,' Colin said. 'I don't want the news of the marriage to get out until it's over. It's safer for Alesandra that way.'

His father nodded. 'I'd forgotten,' he admitted. 'Yes, it would be safer. All right then, only the immediate family will be here.'

He turned his full attention to Alesandra. 'I want your agreement to wed Colin,' he commanded. 'And I want it now.'

'Do you agree?' Colin asked.

He'd won and he knew it. She slowly nodded. Colin leaned down and kissed her. She was so startled by the show of affection she didn't pull away.

'That's quite enough of that,' Henry snapped. 'You won't be touching her again until you're married.'

Alesandra turned to Colin. 'You're going to regret marrying me.'

He didn't seem overly worried about that possibility. He wouldn't have winked at her if he'd really been concerned. Jenkins appeared in the doorway. 'Begging your pardon, your grace, but we have a visitor at the door. Sir Richards is requesting an immediate audience with your son, Colin.'

'Show him into the salon, Jenkins,' Colin called out. 'Why would the director of security be wanting to see you?' his father demanded to know. 'You told me you'd quit the department.'

The worry in his voice confused Alesandra. She started to ask her guardian why he was so concerned, but just as she opened her mouth to say something, Colin tightened his hold on her shoulders. She turned to look at him. His expression didn't give anything away and she knew no one else at the table realized he was silently ordering her to remain quiet.

'After what happened to your leg, I can't imagine why you would continue working for the director,' his mother interjected.

Colin tried to hold on to his patience. 'The director had nothing to do with my injury.'

'It was a long time ago,' Jade reminded the duchess.

'By God, he's finished with that cloak-and-dagger business,' his father announced.

Caine leaned forward, drawing Colin's attention. 'Why exactly is Richards here?' he asked.

'I requested his help,' Colin answered. 'And he was also going to gather some information for me.'

'Regarding?' Caine asked. 'Alesandra.'

Their father looked relieved. 'Well, then, that's quite all right. Yes, Richards is just the man to ask about the general.

Shall we go into the salon and hear what he has to tell us?'

'We aren't going to be left out, Henry,' his wife announced. She stood up to face her husband. 'Come along, Jade. You, too, Alesandra. If the matter concerns one of us, it concerns all of us. Isn't that right, Henry?' Then she and the others left the room.

Colin let go of Alesandra. She stood up when he did. She caught hold of his hand before he could leave.

'Your father now believes I'm a trollop,' she whispered. 'I would appreciate it if you would set him straight.'

Colin leaned down close to her ear. 'I'll explain everything after we're married.'

His warm breath sent a shiver of pleasure down her neck, making it difficult for her to concentrate. Up until an hour ago, when Colin had kissed her so passionately, she'd been desperately trying to think of him as a friend… or a cousin. She'd been lying to herself, of course, but, damn it all, it was working. Colin had turned the tables on her, though, when he'd touched her. Now, just standing so close to him made her heartbeat race. He smelled so wonderful, so masculine, and… Oh, Lord, she really needed to get hold of her thoughts. 'You're a scoundrel, Colin.'

'I like to think I am.'

She gave up trying to make him angry. 'Why don't you want your family to know you're working for…'

He wouldn't let her finish. His mouth covered hers in a quick, hard kiss. She let out a little sigh when he pulled back, then repeated her question. He kissed her again.

She finally got his message and quit her questions. 'Will you explain after we're married?'

'Yes.'

Jade walked back into the dining room. 'Colin, I would like to speak to Alesandra in private. We'll be along in a minute.' Alesandra waited until Colin had left the dining room, then went around the table to stand next to Jade. 'Do you really dislike the idea of marrying Colin?'

'No,' Alesandra answered. 'And that, you see, is the problem.'

'How is it a problem?'

'Colin's being forced into marrying me. He's acting out of duty. I can't control that.'

'I don't understand,' Jade remarked. Alesandra brushed her hair back over her shoulder in a nervous gesture. 'I wanted to control the situation,' she whispered. When it first became apparent I would have to get married, I was very angry inside. I felt so… powerless. It didn't seem fair. I finally came to terms with my circumstances,