Instead of laughing, like she’d expected him to do, Colin only frowned harder at her, his lips set in an unamused line. It was unusual to see. Colin was always on the verge of laughter, finding humor in every situation. There was no better person to see her in this state than him, she thought. Like her, Colin was the only child of a wealthy merchant. Unlike her, his father was still alive and kicking.
They’d been friends for so long that Lavender thought she’d seen him in every state. But the look on his face right now wasn’t anything she’d witnessed before.
“Colin, is everything—”
He caught her wrist and began pulling her down the hallway before she could finish her question. His grip was firm enough to keep her protest at bay. Lavender didn’t even think twice about the fact that he was dragging her further away from the dining room and that they had no chaperone.
Colin pulled her into an unoccupied parlor and closed the door, his jaw tense. “Lavender, what are you doing with that man?”
Lavender frowned at him. “I beg your pardon?”
“The Earl of Derby,” he clarified. “Surely you aren’t truly betrothed to him?”
Lavender sighed, sinking into the nearest armchair with obvious exasperation. “Yes, that is so.”Unfortunately, she thought glumly.
Colin ran his fingers through his hair in distress. “Why?’ Haven’t you heard of his reputation?”
“Clearly I have not, considering my surprise at his announcement.” Lavender paused, raising her brow. “Is there anything else I should know?”
“It is a rather delayed time to ask such a thing, don’t you think?”
His incredulous tone only increased her ire. Lavender shot to her feet, making her way to the door. “If you only wished to chastise me about a decision I cannot undo, Colin, then save it for another time. I am no mood for it right now.”
He caught her wrist before she reached for the handle. It was firm enough to give her pause, to make her scowl at him. “I am only worried for you, Lavender,” he said after a deep breath. “When I saw you entering the room by his side I couldn’t believe that you would—”
“That I would what?”
Colin hesitated. Lavender pulled her wrist free and opened the door. She didn’t have time for this. They shouldn’t even be alone anyway. It had been fine when they were younger and had very little expectations placed on them. But they were both at an age where they should be married. She should be chaperoned at all times, not falling into old habits.
She didn’t make it two steps out of the room before Colin came after her. “I’m worried about you, Lavender,” he pressed.
Lavender stopped, turning to face him. The pitiful look on his face made her annoyance soften. “I understand, Colin. But there truly is not anything you need to worry about.”
“How can I not? Lord Derby’s name runs rampant amongst the ton, Lavender. They talk about his dangerous upbringing and how it shows itself in his pastimes. Not to mention the fact that his estate is in desperate need of repairs. Clearly, he only wishes to marry you for your dowry.”
That stung, even though Lavender had already assumed the same. “Many marriages are borne from such a desire, Colin. This time would be nothing new.”
“I refuse to accept that.” He took a step towards her. “Do you really want to be tied to a man who only wants you for your fortune?”
I could not care less about such a thing, she wanted to say. Instead, she shrugged. “It is not ideal but nothing can be done about it now.”
“That isn’t true.” Colin reached for her hand. This time, he held it gently, brushing a thumb across the back of it.
Lavender resisted the urge to pull away but she couldn’t stop the frown that crept across her brow. “Colin…”
“You are a beautiful lady, Lavender,” he went on. “You needn’t settle on the likes of the Earl of Derby. Not when you have far more respectable options standing before you.”
Lavender tried swallowing past the lump that suddenly clogged her throat. The air had shifted. The frustration and confusion she’d seen on his face and had heard in his voice was gone. Now there was something tender lingering behind his blue eyes that made her want to tuck her tail and run.
She couldn’t think of a single thing to say in response. The quiet stretched on uncomfortably with her hand still limp in his even though she knew she should pull away. He seemed no more eager to break the silence, waiting for her response.
Just when she thought she couldn’t take it anymore, she heard a familiar voice. “Lavender?”
Thatwas Alice. Relief flooded Lavender like a tidal wave as she pulled away and turned to face her friend, who was just coming around the corner. She drew in a breath to greet her but her words died in her throat when she saw the Earl of Derby following behind her with that constant scowl on his face.
Chapter Eight
A megrim was brewing in the back of his head, the kind that would leave him helpless and prone all day. Austin fought it as best as he could but his rising annoyance at this situation he found himself in only exacerbated his condition.
