Colin glared at him as his lips curved slightly.
“Perhaps it is time you took your dashing handsomeness and headed home. It is night time after all,” he joked back but Mark merely waved him off, taking no offence and paying him no mind.
“Your Grace, you have a visitor.”
Colin’s heart skipped a beat as his thought first went to his wife but then he frowned. There was no need for her to come see him at night. Not when she could meet him during the day.
“Who is it?” he asked, looking at his friend who mirrored his confusion.
“It is Lady Sarah, Your Grace,” the valet responded.
Colin jumped to his feet.
“Let her in.”
The valet left, quickly returning with Sarah who had wrapped herself in a cloak.
“Lady Sarah, I admit I am quite surprised to see you here, especially at this time of the night,” he said, motioning for her to take a seat.
He took a seat and looked at Mark who was staring at Sarah with so much interest.
Colin smiled and pointed at him.
“Lady Sarah, this is the Earl of Ashbourne, Mark Harding. Mark, Lady Sarah, my wif- Jane’s sister.”
Colin stared off into space in embarrassment at almost calling Jane his wife. While the two had not yet been separated legally, there was no point in calling her his wife any more since she wanted nothing to do with him.
“Pleasure to meet you, Lady Sarah,” Mark said, bowing with a flourish. He stared at her with a grin and a sparkle in his eyes.
“Thank you, Lord Ashbourne,” she said, curtseying slightly.
Colin shook his head. He knew exactly what his friend was thinking. While Mark was a flirt, he was never truly interested in knowing ladies as he did not wish to be trapped by overzealous mamas, however, his interest in Sarah was unmistakable.
Mark’s gaze lingered on her, prompting a smile from Colin who watched the event play out with interest.
“Lady Sarah, I must admit you shine brighter than the stars that grace the sky on this very night,” he said poetically.
Lady Sarah’s cheeks reddened. “I do not quite believe that you have been out long enough to see the night sky otherwise you would know that the sky is quite bare of stars tonight.”
She turned to face Colin who found it difficult to hide his smile.
“Ah, I suppose I must apologize for my unintentional slight, my lady. Perhaps you will allow me redeem myself. You are like a flower that blooms in the summer, bright and colorful and gracing the world with your beauty.”
Lady Sarah blushed some more, however, her lips remained firmly sealed in a straight line.
“Thank you for your kind words, Lord Ashbourne, but I must speak with His Grace,” she said, cutting him off harshly.
Mark smiled not at all put off by her words. He motioned for her to carry on with what she wished to say and sat in a chair, content to sip his drink.
“What do you wish to speak about, Lady Sarah?” Colin asked, utterly curious.
Surely it had something to do with Jane and if that was the case, he was quite eager to hear it.
“I have some concerning information that I fear I must let you know. I believe it will change how you feel about my sister’s decision to annul your marriage. She is not aware that I am here but I couldn’t let this go on for longer, not if waiting might lead to something dire.”
Colin sat forward in his seat when he heard the graveness in her tone and because of the look on her face.
“What has happened?”
