He hitched a breath. “But... youhavethought of me.”
She tried to breathe calmly, even though her heart raced. Seeing the sparkle in his hazel eyes wasn’t a good thing. “How could I not? You are the one who inherited my dead husband’s title.”
The light that had been in his eyes dimmed. “Addie, believe me when I say I’m truly sorry for your loss.” He paused briefly. “What... happened, if you don’t mind me asking?”
She frowned. “You don’t know?”
“The first I’d heard of this was a couple of weeks ago.”
Slowly, she shook her head. “He’s been dead for a year now. He died two days after we were married.”
Collin gasped and lifted his hand to his lips. His rapid blinking made her wonder if he was trying to hold back tears. And yet, the expression that flitted across his face showed he was vastly relieved but felt guilty about it. Still, she couldn’t allow that to sway her from her goal.
“Forgive me,” he said in a whisper, “but can you tell me how... how did he die?”
“He and a few of his cronies went out on a boat that capsized. My intoxicated husband was the only one who drowned.” Adeline didn’t dare mention that strumpets had been on the boat with those men. Knowing her husband had been unfaithful so soon after they exchanged vows was quite humiliating.
“I’m... so sorry.”
She arched an eyebrow. “You are?”
“Of course. He had been my very good friend. I’m sure you were devastated.”
She rolled her eyes. “For your information, my lord, I wasnotdevastated. If you recall, our marriage was one that neither Lord Kentwood nor I had wanted.”
Collin frowned. “Yes, I do recall that.” His hand dropped to his side and he squared his shoulders. “So tell me, what are you doing here at my brother’s wedding? Did you want to discuss the manors and which one you’ll get?”
As she fought away the feelings of doubt about her reactions, she focused on all the pain and agony she’d experienced since meeting him. Tears stung her eyes, but she would not shed them. Collin Dorsey wasn’t worth the effort. Not any longer.
“That’s not why I’m here.” She took a reassuring breath. “I sought you out today to tell you how much I despise you.”
His eyes widened once again. “Pardon me?”
“Because of what happened just more than a year ago... you ruined my life.”
His brows drew together. “Ruined your life? How do you figure that when Lloyd was the one who—”
“Because,” she quickly interrupted him, “you had donenothingto stop it – or even prevent it from happening.”
Collin sighed heavily and pushed his fingers through his wavy hair. “I fear, you’re not making any sense. How could I have possibly stopped it?”
Anger grew inside of her and she fisted her hands. “Because,” she said through tight lips, “you had not come to the cottage like you told me you would.”
“The cottage?” He shook his head.
Adeline had had enough of this guessing game. Before he said something to soften her heart, it was time to make others see him for the fool she knew him to be.
She released a very loud agitated sigh. “Youruinedmy family, because of your roguish actions,” she shouted. “You ruined... my life!”
Gradually, the wedding crowd became quiet, which was exactly what she’d wanted. Collin stood frozen and his face had lost a little color. His Adam’s apple jumped in his throat.
“Adeline—”
“I’mLadyKentwood to you!”
Collin grasped her arm, but she yanked it away and stepped back.
“I think,” he said calmly, “that we should take this conversation somewhere that’s more private instead of airing our grievances in public.”
