His heart almost skipped for a moment. Or did it? Colin was overwhelmed with a feeling of guilt gnawing at his mind, pushing him to at least say something. A part of him knew that he was starting to fall for her yet he couldn't come clean with it. Back at the ball, he'd led her on, hinting at what he felt and he meant every word he said, every flattery. The conflicting emotions swirling within him made him feel like he was losing his mind. He needed to say something quickly.
“How do you do?” were the words he was able to summon.
Ridiculous!
He thought to himself.
“I am well,” she replied, her expression blank.
He had never felt so tense before and, right now, all he wanted to do was run away from her. He needed to be away from her, just for a little while. He couldn’t think when she was around.
With all of that confusion, there was only one person he knew held the solution he needed.
“You should go up to the girls,” he said but that was not at all how he had intended for it to sound.
Now, she squinted at him, probably feeling like he was trying to send her away.
“I should, shouldn't I?” her voiced was laced with anger and disappointment.
Oh God.
He grumbled within himself, unable to grasp his inability to handle this situation.
“Have a good day, Your Grace,” she added and left him by himself.
Colin massaged his temples and drew in a deep breath.
Hastily preparing for the day, he hurried to the waiting carriage, eager to escape before their paths crossed. As he settled inside the carriage, a wave of relief washed over him at last.
However, nearly immediately, his heart began to ache at the thought of not being able to see her face the entire day. A sigh escaped his lips as he dropped his head on the back of the seat dejectedly. He had become utterly and completely lost in love.
"Where to today, Your Grace?"
The coachman’s voice echoed in his ears, eliciting another round of quarrelsome decision angles.
Colin's mind was a jumble of conflicting thoughts, but he knew he had to get away. Without hesitating any longer, he instructed, "Head to my grandmother's estate, please."
"Well, isn't this an unexpected sight! What a pleasure it is to have you over, Your Grace."
Colin responded with a warm smile, presenting her with a bouquet of flowers he had bought along the journey for her.
“The pleasure is all mine, grandmother,” he replied, but he was sure he couldn’t make it believable.
“Oh, please. Don't be modest around me.” She chuckled.
Already, these few words shared with her were enough to reassure him..
Prudence's eyes sparkled with appreciation as she thanked him, "Thank you for the flowers. I feel twenty years younger."
Colin managed a chuckle but the frown on his face seemed to be stitched in place.
She paused, taking a long look at him before she motioned towards a nearby chair, inviting him to join her. “Here, sit.”
As he settled into the seat, the tranquility of the garden seemed to envelop them. The dowager took pride in her flowers, and they were the brightest, calming stretch of land one could find.
For a moment, Colin felt his worries disappear behind the fragrant blooms and gentle rustling of leaves.
"Now, tell me, what has brought you to come see me?"
