Chapter 10 #2
She gave no indication of the truth or falsity of his presumption; her expression remained composed and unreadable.
He hitched a brow at her. “Unless I am mistaken and Mr. Grey’s attentions are unwelcome?” He hated to push, but if Grey had in any way forced her . . .
“Do you plan to mention what you witnessed to my brother?” For a moment, her composure slipped, the tremor in her voice barely noticeable.
“Witnessed what? That you and Mr. Grey were deep in conversation? It’s a house party.
There will be times when a man and woman are in a room alone together without any implication of impropriety.
I assure you, as a gentleman, I do not leap to conclusions without evidence.
But if there is anything you wish to tell me, I’m at your service. ”
What Colin had attributed to composure he now understood as tension as she pressed a hand to her midriff and exhaled an audible breath. “Thank you, sir.”
Colin suspected the smile he’d forced appeared rather sheepish. “So. Am I to presume any attempt to court you would not be welcome?”
“Under other circumstances, it would be most welcome. You are an excellent man, Lord Manning, but I fear your suit would be hopeless, and I have no desire to lead you on.” To further her point, she handed him back the flower.
Colin gave a weak nod and placed the bloom back on top of the book. Leave it to him to choose an unattainable lady. Failure dug its blade into his chest, doing more damage than the scratch from Grey’s épée. “Then I shall leave you.” He bowed and made a quick exit.
Grey’s request for a private conversation had piqued Colin’s natural curiosity, so when he came upon a footman, he enquired if he had seen Mr. Grey. Several more enquiries later, a maid told Colin she’d seen Mr. Grey return to his room.
Honoria had mentioned she’d placed Grey in the room which had belonged to his father, Lord Forbes, and Colin remembered seeing Grey exit a room several doors down from his own bedchamber.
As he approached, male voices drifted into the hallway. Serious, but not angry.
“What will you do?”
Was that Mr. Ford?
“I’m not certain,” the unmistakable voice of Mr. Grey said. “This could solve all my problems, but at what cost to others?”
Colin waited, hesitant to interrupt yet another private moment. Honor dictated he should leave and return later, yet his feet refused to move.
“I sympathize with your plight, sir. I understand well what it’s like to love someone and not be able to shout it to the whole world. Perhaps an answer will present itself. One that is acceptable to all involved.”
“Perhaps,” Grey said, yet doubt figuratively oozed from the word.
“If you have need of someone to speak to, you can count on my discretion. It’s the least I can do in memory of Gyles and Forbes.”
As Mr. Ford exited the room, Colin nodded and kept his voice nonchalant. “Mr. Ford, do you know which room belongs to Mr. Grey? Earlier, he asked to speak with me.”
“Yes, sir. Right here.” Mr. Ford pointed to the room he’d exited.
Sharp with questions, Mr. Ford’s eyes locked with Colin’s, but he remained silent before he strode past.
Colin walked forward and halted in front of Grey’s open door.
Standing in profile in front of the window, Grey studied a piece of paper he held in one hand, while the other hand rubbed the back of his neck, oblivious to Colin’s presence. He appeared distraught, and the parchment shook in his hand.
Colin rapped on the open door. “Grey?”
With a start, Grey folded the parchment and tucked it into his coat pocket. “Lord Manning, come in.”
An awkward silence settled between them as both of them struggled to begin the conversation. Colin preferred it not be him.
Uncomfortable minutes later, he received his wish as Grey said, “Let me be direct. I would appreciate it if you would forget what you witnessed between Lady Miranda and me. Her family would not approve.”
Direct, indeed. Much like the lady in question. “Are your . . . intentions dishonorable? For if so, as a gentleman, I would be honor-bound to say something.”
Grey laughed—actually laughed. Unrestrained and boisterous.
What was so humorous about honorable or dishonorable intentions?
The man wiped at his eyes as if clearing away tears.
“I assure you, sir. My intentions, as you put it, couldn’t be more honorable.
But my hands are tied by the lady herself.
” As if only then remembering about the paper he’d held moments before, he touched the spot on his coat where he’d tucked it.
“Although . . .” His muttered addendum did nothing to clear Colin’s confusion.
Grey grew serious, studying Colin with those amber Pendrake eyes. “Do you have your own intentions when it comes to Lady Miranda? For if you do, I’m afraid that nick on your cheek would be only the beginning.”
Colin squared his shoulders, straightening to his full height. Although in retrospect it had little effect next to Grey. “Are you challenging me?”
All humor wiped away, Grey simply said, “If I must.”
“Then allow me to put your mind at ease. Although I’d hoped to form an attachment with the lady, she made it clear my hope was for naught. It would appear her affections are directed elsewhere.”
A flicker of relief flashed on Grey’s face. “And you will forget what you witnessed?”
“As I told the lady, all I witnessed was a man and woman having a rather, shall we say, intense conversation.”
Grey gave a single nod, then held out his hand. “I have your word?”
“My word. As a gentleman.” When Colin accepted the gesture, Grey’s crushing grip held a threat, and Colin couldn’t resist delivering his own.
“However, if I were you, I’d be careful about further such conversations.
I doubt, as Lady Miranda’s brother, Montgomery would be nearly as understanding. Now, if you will excuse me.”
As he removed himself from the room, Colin wondered about the cryptic conversation between Grey and Mr. Ford, the mysterious paper, and Grey’s strange remarks.
But at the moment, he had more pressing matters to attend to. Such as finding another candidate for a bride.