“Amy is my friend, and if you’ve taken advantage of her, it’s my duty to see you do right by her, Colin Chase!”
Both of them had long since abandoned whispering. Jason stepped between them and faced Kendra. “If Colin says he was just checking on her, we’ll have to take his word for it.”
Ah! Some male loyalty. Colin smiled.
Until Jason swung around to confront him. “What is she doing here? I thought you were taking her to Dover.”
“She wanted to buy some things before she left. She lost all her clothes in the fire.”
“Is that all?”
“Of course it is! I spent last evening with Priscilla, at Lady Carson’s boring ball.” Colin yanked the belt of his robe tighter. “This is ridiculous. I needn’t explain myself to you two.” He stalked toward his chamber and had his hand on the door latch when Kendra opened Amy’s door.
Instinctively, he whirled around and hastened back to…protect Amy? He didn’t know. But he saw Jason go red and prudently avert his eyes, and then Colin had to see what they were looking at. He leaned around the door frame.
Inside the bedchamber, Amy was still sitting up in the bed, her hair tangled, her lips rosy and swollen from kissing. She looked adorable.
Colin was horrified at the sight of her.
Kendra and Jason shared a long, meaningful look.
“I’m surprised to find you here,” Kendra said brightly. “Colin said you needed some clothes?”
“Yes.” Amy threw Colin an apologetic glance before looking back to his sister. “What are you doing here?”
“We came to London for Christmas shopping. We always do, in early November,” Kendra explained, walking into the room. “May I come inside?” she asked, though she already was. “Let me help you dress, and we’ll talk.”
She shut the door behind her.
Intending to make a quick escape, Colin headed next door to his own chamber, but his older brother swung him around by the shoulder and leveled a stare at him. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Confound it!” Jason looked heavenward as if praying for patience. “You cannot fob me off that easily, Colin.” His lips thinned beneath his mustache. “We all know what went on in that chamber. In that bed.”
Now it was Colin’s turn to go red. “Nothing happened in that bed! I know it looks bad, but…” He sighed, realizing it was time for the truth. He lowered his voice, in case any servants might be listening.“We’ve done naught but kiss. Trust me, it’s gone no further. Give me three days, and I’ll have her delivered out of our lives forever. And don’t tell her you know I’ve kissed her,” he warned. “She’d die of embarrassment. She’s no courtier—she’s been sheltered all her life.”
“I’m too much a gentleman to embarrass her,” Jason assured him coolly. “Unlike you.”
“What on earth is that supposed to mean?”
“Only that you should do right by the girl and marry her. In her world, a kiss—”
“We’ve been through this,” Colin growled in warning.
“Things were different then. It was naught but a suggestion. Now I insist.”
“A pox on you.” Colin paused for a deep, calming breath. “I have other plans, as does she. The match is suitable for neither of us. I know that kissing her was a mistake, but I just…” He trailed off lamely.
Jason gave him an appraising look. “I take it you won’t be continuing to make the same mistake now that we’re here?” He asked stiffly.
Colin’s fists clenched. “That’s none of your concern.”
“I’m afraid it is,” Jason argued. “She’s under my roof, under my protection. And she’s no lightskirt. She’s a lovely, gently raised girl who doesn’t deserve to be treated like this.”
“Treated like what?” Colin erupted. “Believe me, she hasn’t complained!” He dropped his voice, afraid Amy might overhear. “Unlike you, she never expected me to marry her. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m betrothed. And Amy has family and a new life awaiting her on the Continent. I regret disappointing you, but my mind is made up.” His jaw set, Colin turned to the door.
“But we all love her,” Jason muttered under his breath.
Colin was seized with such an unreasoning fury, a hazy red mist seemed to explode across his vision. Swiveling back, he glared straight into his brother’s eyes. “Well, I don’t.” His voice was low and dangerous. “Since you all love her so much, why don’t you all take care of her? Just see that she gets to France this time, will you? I’d prefer not to deal with her again.” He backed into the chamber. “Do me a favor, and let Priscilla know I returned to Greystone. I have work to do.”
He slammed the door and kicked it, then hopped around clutching at his aching bare toes. What was happening to him? He’d never been such a hothead before, banging doors and kicking things. And though his family had always been loud and argumentative, of late his exchanges with them were less good natured and more acrimonious.
And now, in a moment of unthinking anger, he’d thrown away his last three days with Amy.
A pox on everything!
He had to leave or risk looking like even more of a fool than he was. And he couldn’t so much as tell Amy good-bye. One look at her face and he knew his heart would break, as well as his resolve.
He threw on his clothes and left, cursing himself a hundred times for the hothead, fool, and coward he’d become.
FORTY-ONE
KENDRA STOOD back, casting a discerning eye as Amy twirled around in the sapphire and cream gown. “It’s gorgeous!”
Nothing like the day dresses Amy had planned to order, the shimmering satin gown’s scooped neckline was set off with a wide vanilla lace collar, enriched with lustrous pearls. Matching lace spilled to her wrists from beneath tight three-quarter length sleeves. The full cream overskirt was split and gathered to the back to show off a pearl-embroidered sapphire petticoat.
“It makes me feel pretty,” Amy admitted, “though I
