The afternoon forCollin was going better than this morning. Doctor Hadley had arrived to check on him. Apparently, Cassandra had sent a servant to fetch the physician and the constable. Collin had visited with the constable first, but since he couldn’t tell the lawman much about what happened whenhe was attacked, the man excused himself to wander around the manor and interview the staff.
Collin prayed that one of the servants had information. If he couldn’t have justice for the wrong that had happened a year ago, then he wanted this attacker to be arrested.
After his conversation with Cassandra in the music room, when she left in such a dither, he realized she needed time to process the truth about that terrible day when Lloyd had ruined her. Then again, Collin also needed time to think about his cousin’s betrayal. That man knew Collin had feelings for Cassandra, so why—besides being drunk off his arse—did Lloyd feel it necessary to meet her in the abandoned cottage for a quick tryst?
Bitterness coated Collin’s mouth. If Lloyd were still alive, Collin would wrap his fingers around the man’s neck and choke the very life out of him. Then again, he was no killer. Instead, he would break every bone in Lloyd’s body and perhaps even bust a few bones in his face to make women cringe when they saw him.
Thankfully, fate had taken care of Collin’s cousin so that he wouldn’t have to do it himself. However, knowing that didn’t fix things now. Only he could repair the damage to his sweet Cass. But how?
He had heard that time healed all wounds, but Collin feared that wouldn’t work this time. Time only made him more upset at his cousin, and his heart broke more for Cassandra’s pain.
“Your wound is healing nicely,” Doctor Hadley said.
Startled, Collin jumped and snapped his attention to the physician. He had been so wrapped up in his thoughts that he had forgotten about the other man in the room.
“That is a relief.” He nodded. “I appreciate your coming out to check on me.”
“I was only happy to help. You will notice I didn’t rebandage your head. I think we should let the wound dry now and finishhealing.” The doctor stuffed his medical supplies back inside his leather bag. “I’m very glad to meet the new Lord Kentwood. You probably know that your cousin wasn’t the best…um…”
Collin could have laughed at the doctor’s discomfort, and under any other circumstances, he would have. “My cousin wasn’t fit to have his title.” He straightened his shoulders, meeting the doctor’s wide eyes directly. “My cousin was a terrible person who enjoyed ruining other people’s lives.”
“Uh, well…” Doctor Hadley scratched his whiskery chin. “I suppose you know him better than the rest of us, so I shall take your word for it.”
“Trust me, doctor, the man was nothing but a sewer rat dressed in fine clothes.” Collin could have said worse but decided to tame his language. He touched his head injury carefully. The swelling had gone down. “But I thank you for the visit.”
“I was told that Lady Kentwood attended to your injury during the wicked storm.”
Collin nodded. “She was very generous with her time in caring for me.”
“Indeed.” The plump, middle-aged man grinned. “I have always held her in high regard. More people should get to know the kind lady, but alas, she has been in mourning since right after her wedding, the poor dear.”
“I met her before she married my cousin, and I must agree with you. She is one of the best women I have had the privilege to know.”
Collin couldn’t stop from puffing out his chest. She was a fine person, but it was her misery this past year that had formed her into the woman she was today. She was indeed very kind and giving of her time and talents. If only there were more women like her in the world, more people would be happier.
If only I could make her that happy.
“Well,” the doctor said, turning toward the bedroom door, “please pass on my best wishes to Lady Kentwood.”
Slowly, Collin shook his head. “Pardon me?”
The doctor’s expression changed to one of puzzlement. “Well, I heard from Mrs. Thompson that Lady Kentwood was returning to her family’s house to live. I mean, now that you are the new marquess and she is a widow, she cannot stay in the manor any longer.”
Collin’s stomach twisted. Although he had taken over the estate as their new lord, that didn’t mean he would live here. And he certainly wasn’t about to kick Cassandra out to return to her family. The only reason he was still here was to spend more time with her.
“Yes, well…” He took a deep breath. “That is not entirely decided. I’m quite certain that Lady Kentwood will remain here and I will leave. The only reason I came to see her the other day was to make arrangements and settle affairs created by my cousin.”
The doctor’s face brightened. “Oh, how lovely. I’m so happy she is staying here.”
“Thank you again, Doctor Hadley.” Collin tried to be polite by helping the man along. Although he wouldn’t mind getting to know the physician, Collin needed to make sure Cassandra wasn’t leaving. This was her home, and she deserved to be here more than him. Then again, if this place held too many horrid memories for her, he would gladly purchase her another estate.
Once the doctor was out of Collin’s sight, he hurried and finished dressing, hoping he wasn’t too late to stop Cassandra. Although he should have dressed completely when he had gone down to the music room this morning, his strength hadn’t returned. But he found it now.
The wood popped in the fireplace, warming up the room. Today it would have been nice to just relax in the heavilycushioned chair and stare at the small flames dancing on the charcoaled log in the hearth. Of course, sharing the lazy afternoon with a lovely woman who had stolen his heart would be much better.
His mind replayed their conversation earlier. She had admitted to planning his entrapment in hopes that he would do the right thing and marry her. Back then, he would have been upset. After all, she hadn’t come across as a calculating woman. But now… He sighed in sadness. He wished her plan had panned out, because then they would be together and happily in love.
Just as he finished dressing and pulling on his boots, a knock came on the door, jerking him from his thoughts.
