He was left standing there alone, but not for long. Her sister ducked inside almost furtively, staying near the door.
“Good morning, Miss Collins,” he said.
“Please call me Blythe, my lord.”
“And you shall call me Robert, since you will soon be my sister.”
She arched a brow. “That’s not what Audrey tells me, but I would not believe you right for her if you didn’t have confidence in yourself.”
“She told you she’d changed her mind about marrying me?” he asked, not surprised, but only further convinced of the rightness of his cause.
She lowered her voice. “She told me it was never an engagement at all. I just want to tell you not to give up, that I believe she doesn’t know her own mind.”
He slowly smiled, hope swelling his chest like pride. “Thank you for the encouragement.”
She nodded, then peered over her shoulder. “I must go!” She ran across the hall and ducked into the dining room.
A moment later, Audrey returned. “I discovered that Lady Flitcroft was given the impression by her servants that I would not attend a dinner.”
“Who would do that?”
“My servants. But we have come to an understanding. I discovered what was going on, confronted them, and we are now going forward with trust.”
He frowned. “There is a lot you’re not telling me.”
“You’re not my fiancé, Robert. I only have to tell you what I feel you need to know.”
He fisted a hand in frustration against his thigh, then let it go. This little war between them would be a series of skirmishes, not one large battle. And he could be a patient man. “Very well, then back to this evening’s dinner party. Will you be my guest, and show your neighbors that you’re perfectly capable of eating a meal with them?”
She hesitated, not very successful at hiding her warring feelings. He could tell she wanted to attend but also wanted to distance herself from him. He wasn’t going to let that happen.
“Very well, I accept your invitation.”
“Then if you don’t mind, I will ask Francis to press my attire for the evening.”
“You were so confident, you brought a valise?” she demanded.
“I knew you wouldn’t make me ride all the way home regardless. Now is there a way I can be of assistance today?”
“No, thank you. Pretend you’re a guest. Perhaps Mr. Sanford will take you hunting.”
“Or you and I could fish together.”
“Fish?” She wrinkled her nose. “I have a feast to plan for my tenants. Please excuse me.”
“Wait.” He caught her arm.
She froze, her head tilted down as if she was frowning at his touch.
He didn’t let her go, only leaned down until his mouth was almost against the hair near her ear, and he could smell the scent of roses. “I cannot forget how you felt in my arms, how you tasted, how you found your pleasure with me.”
He felt her shudder, knew with relief that she wasn’t unaffected.
“Robert, you must stop trying to force me to feel more for you than I want to feel.”
She pulled her arm free, and he let her go.
“I don’t have to force any emotion from you, Audrey. It’s simply there, just as it is for me.”
