“Have you decided?” Bethany asked at last.
Collette recalled the duchesses who had been pointed out to her at the few balls she’d attended last spring. The Duchess of Cortland had been a dainty woman who appeared almost ethereal with eyes that were almost gold and blond hair so light it was practically white.
The other duchess, the Duchess of Montford, wasn’t nearly as beautiful but the look in her eyes was one of dignity and grace. She’d had a faraway look in her eyes, making Collette believe she existed in a realm above them all.
Both ladies had obviously been comfortable in the knowledge that nothing they did would ever be judged or dismissed or looked down upon.
Impossible.
“Collette?” Bethany pressed. “Have you?”
“I’m going to decline,” she said. “I’m not… I’ll never be…”
“Oh.” Her sister-in-law frowned. “So you don’t like him then? You don’t believe you could ever love him?”
“It’s not that.”
Bethany’s frown deepened. “Then you are afraid.”
Collette didn’t bother denying the truth of that. “Terrified.”
“And it doesn’t bother you?”
“What doesn’t bother me?”
“The fact that you might be making a mistake because you are willing to allow fear to dictate your decision?”
At such an accusation, Collette placed her cup back on the saucer, stunned into silence. Where was the supportive woman who’d encouraged her the night before?
For several minutes after that, the only sound in the room was that of Bethany nibbling at her toast.
Impossible. Marrying him was impossible.
“Miss Jones.” Mr. Ingles returned, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “The duke is waiting for you.
Collette’s stare caught and held Bethany’s as panic flew through her.
Panic and excitement.
He had come. Tingles danced down her spine and released a flock of butterflies to tear around inside of her.
“Choose wisely.” Bethany’s eyes danced. She was being no help at all.
Collette rose as the footman who’d been attending the hot plates on the sideboard slid her chair backward.
“Collette.” Chase was at the door now, his eyes focused and serious. “Don’t do something you don’t want to do. We’re here for you regardless.”
He stepped forward, grasped her arms, and dropped a soft kiss on her cheek.
“I know,” she muttered, near tears. “I know.”
And then, rolling her shoulders, she strolled out the door to where a duke waited to offer for her.
A duke, waiting forher,Collette Jones. It was almost laughable.
But when she opened the door, she wasn’t laughing at all. Because she didn’t see a duke pacing back and forth across the decorative rug, all she saw was Addison.
A Change of Heart
