ELEVEN
“Why did you drag MissBenson into our problems?” Collin threw up his hands and paced the study like a caged animal. Each time he passed Adrian, he glared. “She is going to think our family is insane now.”
“Insane? Really, Collin.” Adrian shook his head. “Why would she think that? It’s not our fault that these things have been happening to us.” Adrian leaned against the bookshelf with his arms folded across his chest. “Of all the women we have met since coming here, Miss Benson is the only one who will understand and actually be able to help us.”
Collin stopped quickly, facing Adrian. “Just because she reads mystery novels?” He shook his head. “Brother dear, I think you have lost your mind, and that is not at all reassuring.”
“You weren’t there when I subtly suggested she should assist us because of her knowledge.” Adrian lifted his chin stubbornly. “She is interested and couldn’t wait to hear more.”
Swinging around, Collin’s grumbles grew louder as he marched to the window. “You are not thinking straight.” He pressed his forehead against the glass. “What if she or her sister get injured while they are here, just because they want to help us?”
Adrian grimaced. His brother’s strained voice tore at his heart. Why hadn’t Adrian thought of that? If something happened to Lyndsey, he’d never forgive himself! Groaning, he rubbed his forehead. He was a dolt... a selfish man who’d only thought about having her near him.
“I pray she’s not the kind of woman who gossips, or we’ll both be ruined,” Collin continued. “What will women think if they hear someone is trying to kill us?”
Adrian looked up at his brother. “Not to worry, Collin. Lyndsey isn’t a gossipmonger. Her two younger sisters, however, are a different matter.”
Collin’s head snapped toward Adrian. The look of distrust was in his brother’s eyes. “Lyndsey?Why are you being so personal with her name? Has she given you permission?”
Adrian silently cursed his inability to remember those things his brother didn’t know. “Don’t be ridiculous. I just wanted you to know to which sister I was referring.”
Sighing heavily, Collin pushed his fingers through his hair. “Adrian, one of these days, your roguish ways are going to bring me heart failure.”
Adrian laughed out loud. “Myroguish ways. What of yours? I fear, dear brother, that if we were to compare our exploits, yours would be far greater than mine.”
Shaking his head, Collin sat on his cushioned chair as his shoulders relaxed in surrender. “No longer will I play those games. I might have lived the life of a rogue before, but coming to this manor was my new start in life. This is the very reason I’m searching for a wife.”
Adrian wasn’t sure he liked the forlorn tone of his brother’s voice. Collin couldn’t bedesperatefor a wife, could he? Now Adrian wanted to know why his brother felt this way. “Would you care to elaborate?”
“No,” Collin answered gruffly.
Adrian’s mind spun backward as he tried to recall all of the rumors he’d heard about his big brother in the past couple of years. “This wouldn’t happen to be about the time you were visiting Bath with the Marquess of Kentwood, would it?”
Collin’s glare darkened and his lips tightened. “Let me repeat,” he said stiffly, “I donotwant to elaborate.”
Adrian had always been inquisitive, and now he was eager to know what had happened. From the rumors he’d heard a couple of years ago, Collin had ruined a woman’s reputation but refused to do the gentlemanly thing and propose. But now he was turning over a new leaf and in desperate need of a wife. How very interesting.
“Tell me one thing, Collin.” His brother’s gaze lifted to him. “Is Miss Benson on your list of possible wives?”
“I... I... don’t know.” The earl groaned as his hands covered his face. Slowly, he shook his head. “I just don’t know.”
Those were exactly the words Adrian wanted to hear from his brother, and now that he knew there was doubt in the earl’s mind, Adrian would help his brother by removing the lovely woman from the list. “May I ask why?”
Collin expelled a heavy breath and dropped his hands. His gaze met Adrian’s.
“Miss Benson is a lovely woman, and I’m certain she’ll make some man a good wife, but she seems... Well, her personality is rather dull.”
Dull?Adrian clenched his teeth. Lyndsey had never been dull while in his company. He found it refreshing to be around a woman who spoke her mind. It was a good thing Collin had not experienced the woman’s sultry kisses, either. Collin would definitely think differently about her, then.
“I’m surprised you’d feel that way, Collin. I thought you wouldn’t want her because of her depleted dowry.”
“No. Her family’s coffers – or the lack in them – has nothing to do with my decision.”
“That’s good to know.” Adrian nodded. “I’d hate her to be disqualified due to her family’s poor circumstances.”
