Page 25 of A Virgin for the Duke of Thorns

Colin dismissively waved his hand. “I trust that you have already prepared their rooms, yes?”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

“And the?—”

He saw the old butler’s normally stoic features falter for a brief moment. If he had blinked, he would have missed it.

“All taken care of, Your Grace.”

“Very good, Sutton. If there is nothing more, you may retire for the night.”

“Good night, Your Grace.”

After the butler had closed the door behind him, Colin turned to face the hearth, watching the flames leap merrily. Every now and then, he would hear a pop loud enough to make him wince.

Evelyn, his younger sister, was the only reason why he was even making an effort. This was to be her first Season, and he wanted to make sure that everything went right. It was already bad enough that she did not have their mother to guide her through the insanity that was the London Social scene.

Colin frowned as he turned away from the fire. There was no use in dwelling on what could have been.

The living must make do with what they were left with—even if all that remained were ashes.

CHAPTER 10

His mind was in a whirl even after he had dropped Ethan off at his estate—a phenomenon that was entirely new to Colin. He could not fathom how a mere slip of a girl managed to get under his skin, causing him to react in ways that were not only novel but highly unpleasant as well.

Colin was still frowning when his carriage pulled up to the front of his estate, only to find another carriage already parked there. Servants rushed to and fro, carrying trunks and valises while a regal lady took command of the situation, her back as straight as if somebody had inserted a poker into her spine.

His grandmother and Evelyn had finally arrived for the Season.

He bounded out of his carriage and walked over to Lady Wellington, who shot him a reproving look when she saw him.

“Where have you been?” she demanded as he pressed a perfunctory kiss to her cheek.

“Out,” he replied vaguely, flashing her his most charming smile. “Some business I needed to take care of.”

His grandmother glared pointedly at him. “Unless you are putting an effort into finding yourself a wife—which I highly doubt—I do not see what could be more important than seeing to it that your younger sister is properly settled for the Season!”

“Well, that was precisely the business that I went to take care of.” He grinned at her.

Colin watched in supreme satisfaction as his grandmother’s eyes widened in shock at the realization of just what he meant, right before they narrowed in suspicion.

“You are getting married?” she asked him. “Why have I not heard of this before?”

He shrugged as he tucked her gloved hand into the crook of his arm. “You have been on my case for weeks, urging me to improve my reputation so as not to hamper Evie’s entry into Society, Grandmother.”

“But you forget that I have known you since you were a babe in swaddling clothes.” She glowered at him. “And I know that temperament of yours. Who is this poor woman so that I might commiserate with her?”

“You will do no such thing!” he gasped in mock surprise. “As to the identity of my betrothed, you shall know soon enough.”

She cast him a sideways glance, her eyes both knowing and curious. Ever since he had taken up residence in Blackthorn Estate, his grandmother had been busy preparing Evelyn for her coming out in the country estate, well away from the prying eyes of the ton.

It was the perfect strategy, they had surmised. They would build up an aura of mystery around Evie—the sister of a duke, who was rumored to have a dowry equal to the ransom of a prince. After all, the Fitzroy family was one of the finest and oldest in England, their wealth a source of envy for many, and ever since Colin had taken over his father’s estate and businesses, he had only managed to expand everything.

There was only one detriment, really—and that was Colin’s own fault. It had been years since he had acted like the dissolute youth that he was, gallivanting around Europe with his friends and earning such nicknames for themselves. Unfortunately, the nicknames had stuck along with their well-earned reputations.

But now, he had taken care of it by seeking Alice Barkley’s hand in marriage for all of thirty days—if he could even last that long. Just the memory of her green eyes searching his, her pink lips curling into the barest trace of a smile, made him feel… things he should not be feeling in the presence of his grandmother.

They had barely walked past the front door when a blur of pink taffeta came barreling at Colin, nearly knocking him to the marble floor. He let out a groan as his sister laughed joyfully.

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