THIRTEEN
Simon loves me?
Adeline’s mind cleared and she recalled all the kindness Simon had shown her over the years, especially since she’d taken him on as her butler. It seemed impossible, and yet... perhaps Collin was correct. Why hadn’t she wondered about the special gleam in Simon’s eyes when he spoke with her? Or the gentle way he’d touch her arm or hand while he was comforting her?
And yet, none of that explained why he would purposely hit Collin in the head so hard. A blow like that could have killed Collin. Never in her life had she known Simon to have a mean bone in his body. Yet, he did. What had changed the man she’d loved like an older brother? And could she get him to admit that he had been the one to strike Collin with the branch? Yet, it was Simon’s excuse that made her more worried. Was he the terrible man Collin feared him to be?
Through the reflection on the window’s glass, she noticed Collin walking closer to her. She still didn’t know if he still hated her for wanting to trap him into marriage or not. But she couldn’t bear seeing the look of rejection in those eyes she had once become lost in.
“Forgive me,” he said in a low voice. “I have realized I’m out of place for saying this, but... do you perhaps share Simon’s feelings?”
Gasping, she spun toward him. His face was filled with grief as he stared at her. “Share Simon’s feelings?Do you honestly believe that, Collin?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know what to believe anymore. Many things have changed between us in one year, so who is to say you haven’t fallen in love with Simon?”
She stepped toward him. “Has this past year changed your life?”
“Indeed. Not only did your life get ruined, but mine as well. For the first time in my life, I fell in love with a woman, only to have her marry my best friend. I’d been so in love with you, Addie, that I would have done anything to win your heart.”
She stared at him in silence as hope swelled in her chest. “You already had my heart, Collin. That’s what made everything so awful when my father forced me to marry your friend. And that’s why on my wedding day, I prayed you would come stop me from entering into a loveless marriage.”
A sparkle lit his hazel eyes and he moved closer, taking her hands in his. “Oh, Addie, my sweet. Why were we forced to live without each other this past year, we’ll never know. But I want to move forward with our lives and make things better. I want...”
During his pause, her heartbeat raced. She didn’t dare add words to finish his sentence, but she hoped they’d be the words she’d waited so long to hear. “You want...” she encouraged.
He lifted her hands to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “My dearest Addie, you would make me a very happy man if you agree—”
Suddenly, the door flew open and smacked against the wall. Both Adeline and Collin jumped. Simon stood at the open doorway holding a pistol, pointing it at Collin.
“Simon!” Addie gasped.
Collin stepped in front of her, blocking her from the madman holding the gun. “You don’t want to do that, Simon,” Collin said slowly.
“Oh, believe me... this is what I’ve wanted to do for quite a while. I need to protect Adeline from men like you.” Simon glared at Collin. “That is why one year ago I had convinced Lord Kentwood that she was only after you for your money. And that’s why I wrote the note and signed your name.” He released an evil laugh. “It was easy to convince the drunken lord that you were planning on meeting Miss Featherstone at the abandoned cottage, and being a true friend, he set out to stop you from falling in the trap.”
Adeline’s chest tightened and tears blurred her vision. Simon had done that? Why...
Collin cussed and lunged for Simon, but the servant had been prepared, and jumped back. His gaze narrowed on Collin as he shook his head.
“You best be careful, my lord, or your fate will be the same as your poor drunken friend.”
Confusion filled her and snapped. “Simon! What in the blazes are you talking about? Lloyd drowned. Why would you possibly think Collin would have the same fate?”
Simon arched a bushy eyebrow. “Forgive me for not making myself clear,” he said. “What I meant to say was that I would dispose of the new Lord Kentwood just as easily as I disposed of his cousin.”
Adeline’s gasp matched Collin’s. “No, Simon. Why?” Her voice broke.
“Because he loves you,” Collin answered.
Simon shrugged as he wore a smug expression. “Yes, I love her, but it’s more than that. You see, I was a little boy when my father worked for the first Lord Kentwood. The lord had no sons, and had promised my father that someday the estate would fall in my hands.”
Collin snorted. “That’s impossible. The lands are handed to the next in line to inherit.”
Simon threw Collin a glare. “You think I don’t know that? But then when I was ten-years-old, the lord’s mistress gave birth to a boy – Lloyd.”
Adeline sucked in another breath. “He was illegitimate?”
Nodding, Simon scrubbed a hand over his chin. “Indeed, but the first Lord Kentwood was so happy to finally have a child that he made everyone believe Lloyd was legitimate.”
