“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. Now that he knew there was doubt in the earl’s mind, he 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 Hartwell is a lovely woman, and I’m certain she will make some man a good wife, but she seems… Well, her personality is rather dull.”
Dull?Adrian clenched his teeth. Bridget 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. He would definitely think differently about her then.
“I’m surprised you 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 is very good to know.” Adrian nodded. “I would hate her to be disqualified due to her family’s poor circumstances.”
Collin stood and moved back to the window. “I have learned a hard lesson by judging a woman because of her family’s lowly circumstances. However, with Miss Hartwell, it is her drab personality that I don’t find appealing.”
Hope sprang inside Adrian. Now that he knew his brother wasn’t interested in marrying Bridget, perhaps he had a chance of changing her thoughts toward him.
Several seconds passed in silence. Finally, Collin glanced over his shoulder at Adrian.
“Have you heard from Father recently?”
“No. I think he is still in Ireland. Why?”
“Because he urgently wants to meet with me. Yet we never seem to find a time to be in the same town at the same time.”
“And that surprises you? Father has always been a busy man.”
“True.”
Collin returned his gaze to the window. Suddenly, he gasped. His jaw hardened and his lips thinned. His face grew redder by the second. He pointed to whatever was outside.
Adrian hurried over by him and peered into the backyard. He swept his gaze around the area but didn’t see anything. “What is it?”
“There. By the oak tree. Does it look to you like a man is trying to hide?”
Once Adrian looked at the tree in the distance, he realized what his brother was staring at. But at this distance, and because of the hooded black cape the person wore, Adrian couldn’t tell if it was a man or woman. But there was definitely someone trying to hide behind the wide oak tree.
Collin swore. “Tell me you saw that.”
“I did,” Adrian whispered as his heart hammered.
“I shall not allow this person to keep us prisoners in our own house for fear of being harmed.” Collin pushed away from the window and marched toward the door. He swung it open and was ready to leave, but stopped suddenly.
The butler stood in the doorway, his hand lifted as if he’d been ready to knock. “Uh, my lords, Miss Hartwell and her sister Miss Priscilla have arrived. I showed them into the sitting room.”
“Thank you, Gilbert. We’ll be in momentarily.” Collin glanced over his shoulder at Adrian. “Keep them entertained until I return. I’m going to get to the bottom of this trickery.”
“Make sure you take a weapon.” Adrian pointed to their gun cabinet.
Nodding, Collin marched to the cabinet, grabbed a pistol, and loaded it with ball and powder before leaving the room.
Adrian composed himself as his brother rushed down the corridor, heading for one of the back doors. His mind spun as he slowly stepped toward their visitors. He’d never seen his brother fire a pistol, and prayed Collin knew what he was doing.
When Adrian entered the sitting room, his gaze flew to Bridget. Her wonderful scent wafted around him. He wanted to sigh with pleasure at seeing someone so lovely in his home. But her worried expression made him pause. She sat next to her sister with her arm around Priscilla’s shoulders. The younger sister’s face had lost color, and moisture beaded her forehead. She had her arms against her middle as though she was in pain.
He rushed toward them and knelt beside Priscilla but peered into Bridget’s pretty eyes. “What is wrong?”
