Page 53 of My Wicked Earl
He’d spun her behind a large oak tree, out of view, and kissed her senseless.
“You seem quite intent on something, Lord Kilmaire.”
Miss Lainscott was much too perceptive for her own good.
“Not at all, Miss Lainscott.” He kept his tone unconcerned and blasé, as if watching Ridley circle Miranda with avarice written on his face was of no import to him. “I was just trying to place the gentleman speaking to Lady Miranda.”
“Lord Ridley.” Her direct gaze met his. “He seems quite taken with her.”
Before he could speak, Lady Dobson reappeared behind them. “Lord Kilmaire, if you’ll excuse us, I wish to introduce Margaret to Lord Carstairs.”
He nodded. “Of course. I look forward to our next conversation, Miss Lainscott.”
Miss Lainscott dipped in an artful curtsy. “Until then, Lord Kilmaire.”
Colin bowed. He turned back to the tapestry, determined to give Athena his attention. He summoned up the anger and bitterness that raged within him for six long, lonely years, but it was no comfort. It wasnaturalto be attracted to her. To want her.
The musical sound of her laughter floated to him.
Was Ridley so fucking amusing? Hamill so witty?
Mine.
Only she wasn’t. Not anymore. He was here to court another woman.Marryanother woman. Fulfill his obligation to Runshaw Park. Then he could retreat back to his family’s estate and restore the lands to their former glory. That’s what he wanted, wasn’t it?
“I came to give my condolences at having to engage Lady Dobson in conversation.” Lord Anthony Welles said as he drew near Colin. “Shouldn’t she have dried up like so much dust and blown away by now instead of continuing to terrorize society? No wonder Lord Dobson met his end early. I’m sure death was preferable to their marriage.”
“Welles. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“Kilmaire.” Welles inspected the scar with a piercing gaze. “That must have hurt like hell, if you don’t mind me saying so.”
He didn’t. “Like the bloody dickens.” Welles rarely minced words about anything. It was one of the things Colin liked about him.
“A fine job of stitching you up.” Welles dark head tilted closer to Colin and lowered his voice. “I am sorry, Kilmaire, for the loss of your family. A terrible thing. As one surrounded by five sisters, I cannot imagine.”
“It was a long time ago.” Colin didn’t want Welles sympathy, nor anyone’s. Nick and Cam were bad enough. “Tell me about your business venture, Welles. How is Elysium?”
11
“I’m sure to be seated directly between Lady Cottingham and Lady Dobson, aren’t I?” I did not realize that searching for a suitable wife meant I was also to be tortured during dinner.” He greeted Cam, who along with Gray Covington’s guests, had stood at the announcement that dinner was served.
Cam snorted. “Then you misunderstood the nature of your request to my grandmother.”
“You don’t have to enjoy this so bloody much, ye smug pretty—”
Cam laughed at the insult and sauntered over to Lady Cottingham and her daughter. He bowed and extended out both arms to Lady Helen and her mother.
As Lady Cottingham took his arm she swayed a bit as if she would swoon.
Lady Helen assessed Cam with a somewhat lascivious turn of her lips.
Colin’s possible future countess was definitely not completely an innocent, if the look she gave the Marquess of Cambourne was any indication.
Ridley, ridiculous dandy that he was, took Miranda’s arm to lead her into dinner. He was looking down at her, lips pulled back from his teeth like a hyena or some other second-rate predator.
Colin longed to hit the man with his fist. What a satisfying crunch Ridley’s nose would make as it broke.
A stomp of a cane interrupted his plans for Ridley, followed by the feel of the cane as it whacked against his shin.
