She gasped. “Impossible!”
He took her hand, led her into the parlor, and closed the door. “Tell me, who on the estate wears a dark blue suit for his uniform and has a bald spot on the back of his head?”
Color left her face. “Simon is the only one.”
“Right after I was hit in the head and before I blacked out, I saw a man hurrying away from me with the description I just gave you.”
She shook her head. “But why would he do that? It’s not like he didn’t know who you were. And he would have told me that he ensnared an intruder on my lands.”
“I’m certain he knew I wasnotan intruder. I suspect he doesn’t want me around because he’s in love with you.”
She stared at him in stunned silence, but then seconds later, she chuckled. “Don’t be ridiculous. Simon is not in love with me. I’m sure he loves me, but only as a little sister.”
“If he loves you like family, why is he being so obsessive over you? I understand completely about loyal servants, but Simon has gone beyond what a servant would do for his employer.”
Sadness covered her face. “I still don’t believe he’s in love with me,” she said softly. “I’ve been a widow for a year, and not once has he shown more affection than necessary. One would think that if Simon loved me in that manner, he would have made some kind of overture.”
Sighing, Collin ran his hand across his hair, gently touching the spot on his head that was still tender. “Maybe he was following the rules of mourning.” He shrugged. “I cannot say, but I spoke to him up in my room not too long ago, and I received the distinct impression that he had strong feelings for you.”
Tears slowly filled her eyes and she turned and walked toward the window. She parted the curtains.
Collin’s chest clenched. She appeared so sad even now. Wouldn’t this kind of information make her upset? And yet...
He sucked in a quick breath. Had he misunderstood her this whole time? Could she possibly be in love with Simon, instead?
A pain like none other pierced through Collin’s chest, making it difficult to breathe. The tightness in his throat made it strenuous to even swallow. He prayed he wasn’t right. But deep down in his heart, he knew the love they had once shared was gone.
