Heat slowly crawled up Bridget’s neck. She cursed her body’s weakness. Why couldn’t she stop thinking about him? And especially their kiss, and the way he had held her so tenderly while on his horse? “The man is a professional flirt and hands out his compliments too easily. But I don’t believe a word that comes from his mouth.”
“Why?” Prissy narrowed her gaze. “I don’t understand how you are able to judge him so harshly when you have only just met him.”
Bridget really should tell her sister exactly how well she knew Adrian, but that would lead to questions she wasn’t prepared to answer. “I feel I’m a good judge of character, and I think he is entirely too conceited.”
Priscilla laughed. “Oh, Bridget, you are too harsh. Have you not forgotten how he raced off after you when your horse ran away? And when he brought you back, I noticed the way he held you and lifted you down. You were probably too upset over what had happened to notice, but he had a different gleam in his eyes whenever he looked your way or spoke to you.”
Bridget’s thoughts stalled. Hadeveryonenoticed Adrian paying particular attention to her? Had Collin noticed as well? But then she realized her sister’s voice seemed strained. When Bridget peered into Prissy’s eyes, they appeared glassy, as though she was fighting back tears.
Oh dear.Maybe her sisterwasinfatuated with Adrian and not Collin.
Jealousy had never been something Bridget experienced before, especially when it came to her younger sisters, but strangely, at this moment, the emotion clutched her chest. What were the odds Priscilla had already set her sights on the younger brother?
Bridget clasped her hands tightly together on her lap and stared out the window. The coach was slowing as they reached the front of the manor. Would she be able to remain composed in front of everyone if Prissy started flirting with Adrian?
She must. There was no other choice. Neither could she allow Adrian to think he had been able to break her heart twice since meeting him.
Chapter Fifteen
“Why did youdrag Miss Hartwell 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 is not our fault that these things have been happening to us. And since the servants haven’t admitted to seeing anything, we need help in the matter.” He leaned against the bookshelf with his arms folded across his chest. “Of all the women we have met since coming here, Miss Hartwell is the only one who will understand and actually be able to help.”
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.”
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 Bridget, he would never forgive himself.
Groaning, he rubbed his forehead. He was a dolt… a selfish man who had only thought about having her near him just to feel the magical way his body tingled and his heartbeat knocked crazily against his ribs.
“I pray she is 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 at his brother. “Not to worry, Collin. Bridget isn’t a gossipmonger. However, the two youngest Hartwell sisters are a different matter.”
Collin’s head snapped toward Adrian. A look of distrust was in his eyes. “Bridget?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. “Myroguish ways? What of yours? I fear, dear brother, that if we were to compare our exploits, yours would be far greater.”
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? “Would you care to elaborate?”
“No,” Collin answered gruffly.
Adrian’s mind spun backward as he tried to recall all the rumors he had 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 was in desperate need of a wife. How very interesting.
“Tell me one thing, Collin. Is Miss Hartwell on your list of possible wives?”
