I detest solitude, and I often wonder how people spend their time alone; if they crave company as much as I do.
Colin Maxwood raised his teacup to his mouth and sipped the rich valerian tea, his eyes moving around the drawing on the desk he was hunched over in the sitting room that was part of the four rooms that made up his chambers. The corner of his mouth tipped when thunder roared and he picked up a pencil, marking the drawing.
Evenings like this were good for his mind. Where storms robbed some of their attention, they enabled him to concentrate. He also appreciated every bit of solitude afforded to him. His brows immediately snapped when a knock came at his door, however. The door opened and Bishop stepped into the chamber.
“I asked to not be disturbed,” Colin said immediately, raising his head to regard his valet, ensuring his displeasure was clear. He had given very simple instructions, and would not have them disobeyed.
Bishop’s bow was deep and contrite. “Your Grace, I do not disturb you out of disrespect but necessity. There is a young woman here seeking an audience with you. A Miss Annelise Hampton. Baron Hampton’s daughter.”
One of Colin’s eyebrows rose. “At this hour? Who did she arrive with?” He glanced at the brass clock on his desk, wondering what would bring a lady to his manor after midnight.
“Yes, Your Grace, and she is unaccompanied.”
Colin’s eyes narrowed. “Did she lose her way?”
Bishop’s face tightened. “No, I do not believe she did, Your Grace. She walked for four hours in the rain with the single purpose of seeing you. She is very persistent, too, and seems determined to wait for however long it would take you to grant her wish.”
At that, Colin set down his pencil and rose. There was certainly trouble if she would walk in the rain to find him, and he could not ignore it. This was not the way he imagined his evening would go, but he had learned a very long time ago, that what he wished for was in constant battle with what actually occurred.
“She is in the drawing room, and I ordered for some tea to be taken to her,” Bishop supplied.
Colin nodded and walked past him out of the sitting room, drawing the lapels of his black banyan together over his shirt. He was not acquainted with her, and although he knew her father, he could not think of any reason why she was here. He descended the steps to the great hall and the first thing he saw was a maid cleaning mud off the marble.
The butler, Chalker, bowed and pointed at the right drawing room. Colin turned in that direction. Miss Hampton stood in front of his portrait with her back to him, but she turned the instant she heard him walk in, her face ghostly pale, and her tall figure shivering in a soaked dark green velvet dress.
She watched him with eyes as large and dark as a doe’s, her slender fingers curled around her teacup, before curtsying slowly.
“Are you not cold?” he asked, going toward the fire.
“I am,” she replied, her voice soft. Too soft, in fact, and it affected him in a way that he did not anticipate.
“Then should you not be closer to the fire?”
Her shoulders visibly grew rigid when thunder clapped, and she swallowed, glancing out the window before she returned her eyes to his. She was afraid, and he frowned, his concern growing.
“Please, Miss Hampton, come to the fire,” he said, and she came toward him after a moment’s hesitation. She stood about a foot away from him but did not sit. “Are you going to sit?” he asked.
“Look at my dress, Your Grace. I have no wish to ruin your chairs.” She sipped her tea.
Oh, you should not have said that.His eyes moved slowly down her green dress that clung to her form, and his blood rushed faster in his veins, sending an erotic thrill to his manhood.
Colin averted his gaze to stop himself from growing. “I will not be offended if you spoil my chairs. Please sit.”
“If you insist.” She lowered herself onto the edge of a chair and set her empty teacup down on the table. He noticed a slight discoloration on her arm but her dress sleeve concealed it before he could guess what it was.
“How may I help you?” he asked, sitting in the chair opposite her, and not wishing to waste her or his time.
She brushed a lock of her matted dark hair from her pale shoulder, driving his thoughts in a direction he did not want them heading. “I learned you are seeking a wife,” she said, and his body tensed. “I want to be your wife.”
Colin blinked. Surely, this was not the true reason she had come here. And if it was, he did not know how to respond in a gentlemanly manner.
Chapter 3
Disappointment ought to be an old friend for how often we have encountered each other, yet it continues to laugh at me.I am also certain at this point that I am not fond of the Duke. He appears to be in want of the tenderness a woman requires from a man.
“Ibeg your pardon?” Colin asked because he was unable to come up with a better reaction.
Folding her hands on her lap, Miss Hampton calmly repeated her request. “I am asking you to marry me, Your Grace.”
