I tipped my head to the side. “She doesn’t seem like the sort of woman to accept advice from you.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
I stared at him in silence for a long moment, but he didn’t explain further. “Then what do you mean?”
He rubbed his chin, obviously deep in thought. Then he stood abruptly from his chair, pacing toward the desk and back again. “I believe you still owe me a debt?”
My heart jumped to my throat. He didn’t need to clarify what debt he was referring to. I had hoped that three years had beenlong enough for him to forgive and forget the expenses he had incurred by quieting my scandal, but it seemed I was wrong. I swallowed, shifting uncomfortably in my chair. “I suppose I do.”
Colin stopped pacing and turned toward me. “I should very much like to see Miss Sharp learn the error of her ways, and you can help me accomplish that.”
Dread sank through my stomach. I knew it. I should have stayed in London.
“Miss Sharp doesn’t know that I have a twin brother,” he continued. “Very few people in Bath know, in fact. I have withheld that detail from my new circle of acquaintances.”
His words were like a blow to my chest. Was Colin really so ashamed to claim me? I narrowed my eyes, crossing my arms. “I will pretend not to be personally affronted.”
He ignored me. “If you were to impersonate me, Miss Sharp would never know the difference. You could court her for a few weeks, charm her, and then reveal that you are actually penniless.” His mouth spread into a rare smile. I stared at it, my jaw slack. Had he lost his mind?
“I have pennies,” I said in a defensive voice. “Loadsof pennies.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Miss Sharp is not looking for pennies. She will be appalled. And courting you will keep her focus off Sir William or any other man unfortunate enough to catch her attention. Besides that, it will provide me with the entertainment I’ve been missing in this dull town.” Colin fell back into his chair, an eager smile still hovering on his lips.
I gave him a serious look. “Have you been drinking?”
“No.” He sat up straighter. “Not a drop.”
“Hmm.” I raked a hand over my hair, glancing at the clock on the wall. “Perhaps you should retire for the evening. It’s late. You might reconsider this rather villainous plan again in the morning when you’re properly rested.”
“That won’t be necessary. I have made up my mind. And it’s notvillainousto prevent Sir William or some other man from falling into her trap.” He gave a swift nod, pointing in my direction. “This is the method by which you’ll repay your debt. Miss Sharp shall learn a lesson, and I shall be thoroughly satisfied and entertained. Better yet, I won’t be required to attend any social events for the coming weeks with you attending in my place.” His smile grew. “I’m a genius, am I not?”
My stomach twisted, and I searched for any points I might raise in protest. “You can’t trust me to represent you properly. You know that. Any social mishap that occurs during this ruse will reflect poorly on you.”
Colin scowled. “In the event that a social mishap occurs, you will swiftly identify yourself. You will confess to impersonating me, and the consequences will be yours to bear alone. If you are caught in such a lie, you’ll be sure to drive away any potential clients you might have acquired. That should be motivation enough to play your part adequately.”
My pulse quickened. “This is absurd,” I muttered.
“It’s much less absurd than leaving your bride at the church and relying on your brother to compensate the lady’s family.”
Frustration bloomed in my chest. He would never allow me to forget that.Ever.“You already cut me off, and you refuse to use your connections to assist me. From the sound of it, you also refuse to acknowledge my existence at all. Why should I do this for you?” I laughed in my throat. “I should not have come to Bath. I can find clients elsewhere.” I stood, turning toward the door.
“Clark.” Colin tipped his head back with a groan. “For heaven’s sake, sit down.”
I paused, raising an eyebrow at him.
“If you continue to prove yourself less of a scoundrel, I’ll resume your allowance. I’ll even recommend your services tomy acquaintances. But only if you help me carry this out. Don’t forget, you gave me your word that you would repay the debt in my way and my timing.”
Anger still pulsed under my skin. My pride demanded that I not accept his offer, but it was tempting. The power Colin held over me was a reality that I had never been able to escape. The less power he had in the future, the better, and the more clients I could procure, the less I would have to depend on him. Once my debt was repaid, I would never have to ask for his help again. I could finally feel like my own man—not the lesser half of one.
Slowly, I sank back into my chair. “There is a flaw in your plan. Miss Sharp could expose the lie once she learns that I’m not, in fact,you.”
Colin shook his head. “We can easily blame it on her own misunderstanding. No one would believe her word above mine.”
I exhaled a slow breath. “Is she truly deserving of such a cruel lesson? Why should we waste the poor young lady’s time? Let her seek a fortune if that is what she desires.”
Colin scoffed. “She is not a poor young lady. She is wicked and calculating. Her friend, Mrs. Kate Ollerton, is the same. I see the two of them conspiring at every event to find a way for Miss Sharp to speak with me.”
I sighed. “Very well. I can pretend to be you easily enough. All I have to do is quit smiling and laughing, and act disinterested in everything and everyone.”
