Page 34 of A Virgin for the Duke of Thorns

Questions that Alice had no intention of answering, Colin surmised. From the panicked look in her eyes, he knew that she would much rather take to her bed with some sort of debilitating illness than face the ton and all their inquiries.

He watched as Lady Brandon called Phoebe over. Evie, who had been with her, also hastened over with a look of concern in her blue-gray eyes.

“Come, Colin.” Lady Wellington all but dragged him to the small group. “It is only right that we express some concern for the well-being of your betrothed.”

Both he and his grandmother knew that there was nothing ailing Alice, save perhaps some shock from having been kissed so thoroughly in the gazebo a few moments prior. His gaze dropped to her slightly swollen lips, and he felt his lips curl into a trace of a smile.

“Dear Alice, are you all right?” his grandmother asked, drawing nearer to the small group. “You look… a bit flushed, my dear.”

At her words, Colin noted with some smugness that Alice turned a brighter shade of red, if that was still possible. A very delectable shade of red, he might add.

“Lady Wellington.” Alice’s smile looked like an odd combination of panicked, miserable, and brave all at the same time. “I fear that I must be rude and leave earlier…”

“Was it something you ate?” his grandmother inquired, shaking her head. “Sometimes, these foods are prepared way ahead of time and are no longer as fresh as we would prefer.”

He wanted to applaud his grandmother for her exemplary portrayal. She had not only managed to express her utmost concern for his betrothed, but she had also accomplished a subtle swipe at Lady Salisbury’s capabilities as a hostess.

“Yes,” Alice managed to say weakly, “it must be something I ate…”

Thinking of how he had devoured her lips just earlier in the gazebo, Colin turned the full force of his gaze upon her. At first, it seemed as if she would glare back at him, daring him to say anything. But then Alice had since learned to use her presumed frailty to feign her distress further and avoided looking at him.

“In that case, you had best retire early, my dear.” Lady Wellington was the very picture of consideration. “Have your maid prepare a nice cup of ginger tea when you get home. I find that it takes care of a lot of ailments rather nicely.”

“Thank you so much, Lady Wellington. I shall do as you advise.” Alice smiled. “Ginger tea sounds… lovely.”

“These hostesses have simply forgotten how to host a good party,” Lady Wellington mumbled to Colin. “Great care must be taken with the food so that the guests do not fall ill. In my day, it was a great disgrace if someone were to become sick from eating at your party!”

“Oh, no doubt about that,” Colin replied blandly.

“I think,” Lady Wellington continued, “that it is high time that I hosted a house party of my own.”

Evie looked at her grandmother with wide eyes. “Really, Grandmama?”

“Absolutely,” the older lady affirmed. “Why, back when your mother was younger, my house parties were famous, I tell you!”

After what she had suggested in the gazebo, Colin had no doubt of it. Their grandmother might be stern and elegant on the outside, but it appeared that she hadn’t lost her mischievous side as well.

“Certain details must be ironed out, of course,” Lady Wellington continued, turning to Lady Brandon. “But when everything is ready, I shall have the first invitation sent out to the household of the Marquess of Brandon.”

“Oh, that is so kind of you, Lady Wellington!” Lady Brandon smiled widely, even as she looked over at her daughter in concern.

His grandmother smiled in satisfaction. “Now, go home and recover, sweet child. There will be time for parties and balls once you are feeling much better.”

“Thank you so much, Lady Wellington.”

The rest of the family thanked his grandmother as well before excusing themselves. Colin preferred not to say anything, merely keeping his eyes on Alice the whole time.

Lady Brandon expressed her disappointment as well at having to leave early before she quietly escorted her daughter out of the ballroom. As the small family approached the hostess, his grandmother simply shook her head with a wry smile.

His eyes continued to follow Alice as she leaned on her mother for support. Just as they were about to leave the ballroom, he saw her turn towards him with a shy look in her eyes. If he had not been paying attention, he would have missed it.

“Ladies,” he muttered to his grandmother and younger sister, “I must excuse myself.”

“Where are you going?” Evie asked him in confusion.

“I need a drink,” he muttered.

His grandmother merely shot him a knowing look. “Take two if you need it,” she called after him airily.

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