Improperly Wed (Aristocratic Grooms #3)(38)
Author: Anna DePalo

Her husband had taught her a lot. And one of those things was that she had more power than she thought she had.

She had just asserted her power with her family. Now she had to decide what to do with respect to Colin.

She’d been unfair to him, she realized. He should have told her about the Elmer Street property, but with new insight, she understood why he had acted as he had with respect to the disposal of the building.

The only question was, how would she mend fences with him, and would he want her back after she had seemed to side with Uncle Hugh?

Twelve

“Mother, what have you done?”

“Never fear, dear. It’s all about the media these days.”

“Believe it or not,” he said patiently, “I’m one of those relics who still believes in a reality apart from public perception.”

“Nonsense. What an antiquated idea.”

The irony, of course, Colin thought, was that he had brought the Granvilles into a new millennium, shoring up the family wealth through shrewd real-estate holdings.

They were sitting at lunch in a room with French doors that offered a panoramic view of the gardens of Halstead Hall. At one time, the room had functioned as the music room, but these days it served as the family’s informal dining room.

He’d been informed by a member of the staff shortly before lunch that his mother had arrived and would be joining him for the meal. As usual, his mother had presented herself impeccably groomed, pearls in place.

He, meanwhile, felt uncharacteristically scraggly and under the weather. He hadn’t shaved that morning, and though he wore his usual work-at-home attire of trousers and open-collar shirt, he felt unkempt.

He knew the cause of his mood, however. She had left two days ago.

His mother took a sip of her tea. “You know, you really could take a cue from your friend Melton. He’s a media person, isn’t he?”

Colin wondered sardonically if his mother included following Sawyer as an example in the marriage department. After all, Tamara, the earl’s wife, was a maverick American by upbringing, though her father was a British viscount. On top of it all, she remained one of Belinda’s closest friends.

“Melton will be hurt to discover that you didn’t use one of his media outlets as your mouthpiece for a public statement,” Colin drawled. “I will assure him, however, not to take the matter personally.”

The dowager marchioness waved a hand dismissively. “I still begrudge that horrid columnist of his, Mrs. Hollings. How dare she perpetuate the story of your appearance at the Wentworth-Dillingham nuptials?”

“How nice of you to retaliate by not feeding her salacious gossip about Belinda.”

“It’s the least I could do,” his mother sniffed. “And I don’t understand what you’re upset about. What did I say that wasn’t true? Belinda left you after you bought some burdensome property and thus gave much-needed financial assistance to the Wentworths.”

“I’m not sure Belinda would characterize matters in quite that way.”

The marchioness raised her eyebrows. “Precisely my point.”

In the two days since Belinda had left Halstead Hall, he’d had time to reflect and, frankly, brood. It had been hell and he’d been unable to work.

He’d started to think that Belinda had a point. He’d been so fixated on the bottom line that he’d somehow failed to appreciate how much Belinda cared about other things. Of course, family, history and sentiment were important to her. She was, after all, a lover of impressionist art, the epitome of nineteenth-century romance.

His mother sat up straighter. “We need to move quickly and gain the upper hand so that the press and public opinion are on our side. I’m only thinking of your reputation.”

“My reputation doesn’t need saving.”

He needed saving. He needed Belinda to save his cerebral and mercenary gambler’s soul.

Because he loved her.

The realization hit like a sledgehammer. He was flummoxed, right before exploding joy and worry hit.

It was a hell of a moment to have an epiphany, considering his mother was in the room. But there was no other explanation for the way he’d been feeling since Belinda had departed.

His mother looked at him consideringly. “Colin, you could have your pick of brides.”

“Yes, and how could I forget that the story you planted in the press also listed the names of one or two women.”

His mother’s eyes gleamed. “Suitable ones. As I said, you could have your pick.”

“But I want just one,” he replied. “I can’t believe you’d turn your back on Belinda so easily. The rest of the family has warmed to her.”

“She’s still a Wentworth.”

“It’s past time to bury the hatchet. The hostilities have lasted longer than the War of the Roses.”

“Of course, the hostilities are over,” his mother replied, frowning. “You have won. The Wentworths are in your debt.”

“Have I won?” he asked softly.

His mother closed her eyes.

“Accustom yourself to the idea, Mother. Belinda is the Marchioness of Easterbridge, and if she’ll have me, she’ll remain so.”

He knew with a sudden clear insight that, without Belinda, his seeming victory over the Wentworths would be hollow.

As Belinda opened the apartment door, her mouth dropped. “How did you find me?”

Colin’s mouth lifted sardonically. “A little birdie told me.”

“Sawyer,” she guessed.

Colin inclined his head. “It is his flat, after all.”

“I detest the way you blue bloods band together.”

“And right now,” he guessed, “you especially detest me.”

She let her silence speak for itself. Of course, she was furious and hurt. Why shouldn’t she be? She’d been falling for him while he’d been toying with her.

How could she castigate Uncle Hugh for his bad judgments, she thought, when she’d made worse decisions?

And yet, she found herself drinking in the sight of Colin. His hair was mussed, when it ordinarily looked smooth, and his jaw was shadowed, when he was normally groomed.

“May I come in?” he asked, his manner steady.

“Do I have a choice?”

“Sawyer has graciously lent me his apartment, too, while I’m in London.”

“How kind of him.” She lifted her chin. “One wonders at the need for it, considering just how many properties you have acquired lately.”