She wasn’t about to tell him. However, she was certain he had heard her calling out Collin’s name. “But I asked first.”
He chuckled. “If you must know, my main purpose is to save my cousin from a fate worse than death.” His fingers tightened around her upper arms. “Hanover doesnotwant to be trapped into any kind of marriage, which is why I’m here. I warned him about you.”
“You…warnedhim?” Her panic heightened.
“I told him not to become attached to the likes of a penniless country girl. I knew you wanted to trap him into marriage. You are just like the other women who want to sink their claws into our titles and money.”
She shook her head. “No, Collin wouldn’t believe that about me.”
“And yet here you are, meeting him in secret—one of the best ways a maiden can lure a man into wedlock.” He arched an eyebrow. “Hanover isn’t ready for marriage, and as his friend, I plan on making certain he gets his wish.”
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as dread filled her. “You are talking nonsense, Lord Kentwood. I assure you, this is not what it looks—”
“Do you think Hanover is a simpleton, Miss Featherstone? Neither of us are fooled by your innocence. We saw your plan the first time we met your family.” He shook his head. “Rest assured, we will not let you win.”
“What…are you going to do?” After the words were out, she realized she already knew the answer.
As he dragged her toward the bed, tears stung her eyes and blurred her vision. He was stronger than she had anticipated for someone so inebriated. For the first time since she met the lords, she prayed her plans would not turn out. Being caught with Lord Kentwood would be worse than living in hell!
Chapter Thirteen
Present Day
Cassandra’s chest achedwith the emotions she held back. Throwing accusations at Collin while he had no memory would be futile. His blank expression told her that his memory still hadn’t returned. He had asked how they met, and she didn’t know how to answer. And if he asked about Lloyd, she definitely didn’t want to bring up that sore topic. Remembering every detail about her life since meeting Collin and Lloyd was difficult enough, and to speak about it would break her heart that much more.
“You and my…husband,” she ground out, hating calling Lloyd by that title, because he had never earned it, “came to my family’s house when your carriage broke down.”
“How long ago was that?” Collin asked.
“About thirteen months ago.”
“And I was good friends with your husband?”
She nodded as bile rose in her throat. Quickly, she cleared her throat before she was tempted to spit on him for what he had done to her. “Yes, you were cousins.”
He sighed. “We must have been close, which explains how I got the title.”
“Indeed.”
She stared at the empty plates on the tray that Mrs. Thompson had brought in for Collin. Perhaps Cassandra shouldtake the tray back to the kitchen. At least that would give her an excuse to leave.
“So, we have known each other for a little over a year?” Collin asked.
“Yes.”
“Then I assume you are an important part of my life.”
She wanted to laugh out loud, and she struggled not to smirk. “I hate to disappoint, but no, I am not an important part of your life.”
“That doesn’t make sense. If you aren’t important to me, then how did I come to be at your estate when someone knocked me over the head?”
Feeling very uncomfortable with these questions, she stood. “That, my lord, is something I would like the answer to myself.” She moved to collect the tray, but Collin touched her arm, stopping her.
“Lady Kentwood,” he said. “It is not my intention to upset you, but I need to know just one more thing.”
Cassandra really didn’t want to tell him anything else. Remembering those days from her past had drained her, and staying with him any longer would completely make her go insane.
“What is it that you want to know?” She moved toward the tray and started stacking the dishes.
