“I'm sure your children would be lovely, Your Grace.” She had a smile on her face that nearly prompted him to return the gesture but he didn't.
Colin's gaze was usually devoid of any emotions and most people found that very intimidating, so much so that it made them uncomfortable. Clearly, not this one.
“Indeed.” He looked her in the eyes. “Perhaps you can tell me how you would handle the situation should they misbehave.”
She laughed lightly.
“There are different ways to discipline children who misbehave, Your Grace.”
“And what might those ways be?” he asked, curiosity coloring his eyes.
She walked over to him and leaned forward, not too close but enough to whisper in his ears.
“Marry me and you'll find out.”
It came as a shock to him but as usual, he had no expression on his face. She had the boldness to propose that with much confidence and he wasn't sure whether to be impressed or concerned.
She had not been intimidated enough to respond with answers that she believed he wanted to hear which made her different from the other women. However, the woman he would marry needed to play an active role in his nieces’ lives and she didn’t seem to be interested in taking on such a role.
“Thank you, Lady Maisy.”
She curtseyed and walked away, turning back to stare at him with an expression that showed how baffled she truly was by him.
Her face over her shoulder reminded him of a painting and yet, he knew he could not be swayed by any of that.
Colin turned when Prudence sighed.
“What complaints do you have this time, grandmother?”
“Ha! What complaints do I have?” she looked around as though everyone was meant to join in in her laughter.
“Yes, grandmother. I would love to hear it.”
“You, my dear grandson, have managed to chase every woman within the vicinity with your weird and intimidating questions. I am beginning to wonder if you truly want a wife or you just say so.”
Colin sighed. His grandmother was right.
“I do want a wife, grandmother. I suppose I have come with an expectation that no one can match, but I simply do not have the luxury to marry only for the size of her dowry or the fairness of her complexion.”
“Then, what is it you wish for?” she asked him curiously.
“I am being cruel, not because it is in my nature to be, but because I have to be. I cannot marry someone who will not be able to handle my nieces. They need motherly care but they also need someone who is able to draw the line and not coddle them into uselessness.”
Colin paused and shook his head.
“I will not do wrong by them by thinking only of my own needs when it comes to choosing a wife.”
Prudence sighed once again, but this time, in understanding.
“Thank you for thinking of the girls, however, I certainly hope you will not neglect yourself completely.”
Colin smiled but didn’t say a word.
Things had not gone the way he expected. He was in dire need of a wife and had hoped to find one at the garden party but so far, none of them had managed to meet up with his expectations.
“If you will excuse me, grandmother,” he said, leaving her standing and staring after him.
Although he tried not to think about it, he was extremely disappointed by how things had gone. If it continued like this, he would not be able to find the perfect woman for his nieces to call mother. He could not bear it if he married a woman who would not care for them or be able to take care of them without giving in too much to their demands. There needed to be a perfect balance of both.
Colin walked into the gardens, lost in thought and wanting to be alone. He’d spoken to more than enough women and did not want to speak to any more.
“Lord knows I cannot handle even more disappointment today,” he sighed deeply.
His mood had soured and it was seeming like an impossible task to come out of it.
He turned a bend, going around the corner and jerked back in shock when a face appeared in front of him. His hand came up and he grabbed hers just as she raised them to hit him.
He stared at the very strange woman in complete shock, his hand still holding hers as she tried to pull away from him.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
