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 ladyin 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. Myintentions, 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 suchconversations. 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 aboutthe 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.
CHAPTER 11
Tired of being alone on the terrace, Anne rose from the chaise longue and entered the house. She’d go mad from the inactivity. Taut frustration banded her chest from Ashton’s insistence that she rest after herordealin the lake.
As if she were porcelain, like a fragile doll! Small in stature, yes, but she was made of sterner stuff.
