Stuart’s glare turned darker as his steady hand raised the pistol toward Collin. “And I would kill you, too.”
Collin shook his head. “What about the next one to inherit the title? That would be my brother, Adrian.”
“You don’t know me,my lord. I will do anything to take overmyestate. This place should have been mine.”
Bitterness coated Cassandra’s tongue as bile rose in her throat. Stuart had completely lost his mind. No matter what Collin said, he would never be able to convince Stuart otherwise.
Glancing around, she searched for something that might be used to stop Stuart, or at least distract him so that Collin could get the pistol. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything she could use as a weapon. There was only one thing she could do to stop him. Stuart had always seemed to know her thoughts and feelings. She prayed this time he wouldn’t be able to suspect that she was playacting.
“Indeed it should.” She slowly moved past Collin. His arm shot out to hold her back, but she gently pushed it away, keeping her focus on Stuart. “What the first Lord Kentwood did to you was unforgivable.” She tried to keep her voice sweet, even though disappointment for her family’s friend was breaking herheart. Thankfully, Stuart allowed her to stand beside him and touch his arm.
“Yes, but do you know what will even be worse?” he asked.
“What?” She tried staring at him as though she loved him.
“If you fall forhisfalse charms.” Stuart shook his head. “He doesn’t love you like I do, Cassandra.”
She heard Collin’s angry breaths behind her, but she couldn’t look back at him. By peering into Collin’s eyes, Stuart would be able to know how much she loved him. So, for now, she must not lose eye contact with Stuart.
“You have always been there for me, you know. I wouldn’t have been able to make it through this year of mourning without your working beside me and showing me the respect those other servants failed to give me.”
Gradually, the arm holding the pistol lowered. “I have, and I always will. You can always count on me.”
“That is the kind of man I want to call my husband. That is the kind of man I want sharing my life.”
Stuart’s expression relaxed. “Then look no further. I’m right here.”
A loud growl rent the air, followed by Collin’s fist flying toward Stuart. Before he could do anything, Collin hit him in the nose. The sound of breaking bones echoed in the room. Seconds later, Stuart crumpled to the ground. In a flash, Collin snatched the pistol out of the man’s grasp.
“She has already found that man, you imbecile,” he snapped, glowering at Stuart, who held his bloody nose. “Did you honestly think you could make her a good husband if you killed others who got in your way? Because if you think that way, then your mind is too far gone to save it.”
The door to the parlor opened again. This time it was Mrs. Thompson who entered. Her gaze dropped to Stuart on the floor,and she slapped a hand over her mouth and shook her head. Tears gathered in her eyes.
“Dora?” Cassandra asked. “Did you know Stuart was the one who attacked Lord Kentwood?”
The woman met Cassandra’s gaze. The housekeeper didn’t have to say a word, because guilt was all over her expression.
“Dora?” Cassandra asked again, trying to keep her voice calm. “Did you help Stuart in any way?”
“N-no, my lady. I saw him running away that morning, and I assumed he was the culprit. But I also thought he did it to try to keep Lord Kentwood away.” She sniffed and rubbed her sleeve under her nose. “None of us wanted him here, and, well, since Stuart was your family friend, I thought that was why he hit the nobleman.”
Cassandra took a shaky breath. “Mrs. Thompson, will you send one of the other maids in here, please? Also, send Riddle and Bentley as well.”
“Yes, my lady.”
As soon the housekeeper left, Collin wrapped both arms around her, pulling her against his chest. Sighing, she leaned next to him and closed her eyes. Warmth surrounded her, just as it had always done when Collin held her.
“Why did you call for those other servants?” he asked.
“I will send my driver to fetch the constable, and the footman to take this miserable excuse for a man”—she pointed toward Stuart on the floor, holding his bloody nose—“out of my sight.”
“What a wonderful plan.” Collin smiled and kissed her forehead.
“Oh, Collin. I was so scared.”
He stroked her cheek. “I lost you once, but I don’t plan on making that mistake again.”
She looked up. When their gazes met, his face relaxed and he smiled.
