Page 10 of Lady and the Gamble (The Colby Brothers 2)

“You what?”

“Never leave home.”

“You never leave home?”

“No.”

“That’s ludicrous—” He stopped himself short when he noticed a pained expression cross her face. “I’m sorry, what I meant was perhaps you could make an exception this time.”

“I have no desire to leave the house.”

Ryan frowned. “Do you not ever go out to parties, or dancing, or shopping? Favorite pastimes of many young females of your age.”

“No.”

“No, you don’t, or no you do not wish to?”

“I enjoy crocheting and reading.”

Ryan frowned. “How will we get to know one another if you refuse to be courted?”

She did not answer his question. Instead, she said, “I shall be here tomorrow if you care to stop by for another visit.”

Ryan lifted his hands and rubbed his eyes, suddenly extremely tired. He’d never met anyone who was more vexing. “Fine. Tomorrow I shall pop in for a visit.”

She nodded and then turned to go.

“Evelina?”

She glanced back.

“Perhaps you can try to relax. I don’t bite. As a matter-of-fact, you may actually come to like me. Many folks do. But you will need to put down your guard.”

She looked slightly pained and he suspected he had insulted her but she turned away and made her way out of the room without another word.

Chapter 3

“Oh my, you have chosen a fine young man for Evelina, Clive dear,” May gushed to her husband as she peered through the drawing room’s curtains to watch Ryan Colby walk away from the house.

Evelina closed the pocket doors behind her and sighed. “He wasn’t all that handsome,” she lied. In fact, she had never seen a more agreeable looking man before in her life. Hence was the problem.

“Oh don’t be coy, Evie,” her oldest sister Victoria cooed. “If my hand wasn’t already taken, I’d be a very proud woman to call that man my husband.”

“He’s not my husband.” She made her way to her favorite settee and sat down. “Nor likely will be.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, the man won you fair and square.” May pointed out.

Evelina glanced at her father who rightfully turned away ashamed. “Apparently, he was not aware of that.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. He came to the house to claim your hand.”

“No, mother, he came to claim Papa’s boat.”

“What is she talking about, Clive?”

“Well, I suppose there was a bit of a misunderstanding.”

“What type of misunderstanding, Clive?”

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