Read Online Enticing Eve: Scandalous Secrets, Book 2 by Tracy Goodwin - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Tracy Goodwin
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Colin knew what he was about to admit before he did so. Still, in spite of his attempts to sound nonchalant, the words hit him like an anvil.
Why did his declaration affect him so?
As if he hadn’t said enough, Colin continued. “I wanted to marry her. I waited too long, and as you well know, she is currently betrothed to my brother.”
Colin paused, unable to comprehend why he
was admitting so much to a stranger, blood tie or not. Was it because he sought absolution? Was it because he hoped for censure? To make it easier to do what he knew was right – to stay the course, away from Eve, his desires be damned?
Victoria tipped her head to the side. “Please tell me you’re not trying to steer Eve away from your brother.”
“No, I refuse to hurt Tristan,” Colin assured her. “You must believe that.”
She squeezed her eyes shut then began to rub her temples with her fingertips. “I believe you,” she mumbled.
“Could you sound a wee bit more convincing?” he drawled.
Tori again met his gaze. “Sorry, I was thinking,” she muttered, shaking her head before continuing, her tone now surprisingly blithe. “Shall we take a turn in the gardens?”
“I beg your pardon?” Colin blinked, reeling from the sudden change of subject.
“Walk with me,” she linked her arm with his then led him into the maze of tall shrubbery. As they rounded a corner, Victoria began, “I know we don’t know each other well. To the rest of polite society we are bound by chance, your sister married to my brother. But we know better, don’t we?”
She paused long enough for him to nod in affirmation. “You are my blood. As happy as Sebastian and I are to have found you, I realize how awkward this must be for you. Discovering that your mother had an affair with our father and that you are a product of that tryst … what is good news for me has turned your life upside down.”
Colin studied his shoes. Although he had no doubt that Victoria’s motives were pure, the topic of his parentage was one he tried to avoid at all costs.
“We may not have grown up together, you and I, but you are still my brother and I love you already, Colin,” her words were rich with sincerity. Victoria crossed in front of him, forcing him to face her by tipping his chin up. “I want you to be happy; I truly do.”
“However …” he tilted his head to one side, waiting for her to continue.
She frowned. “I want the same for Tristan, and the more I consider what I just witnessed, I believe that he deserves better than to marry someone who is in love with you.”
“I beg your pardon?” Colin gaped at her, confused by the sharp turn in direction his discussion with Victoria had taken.
“What I witnessed isn’t as innocent as you wish me to believe,” Victoria wrung her hands. “There was meaning there, history and a depth of emotions that I suspect neither you nor Eve is prepared to face just yet. Tristan deserves better.”
Frustrated with the course of their conversation, Colin pulled away, tossing the rose Emma had given him earlier in the grass. “What would cause you imply that Eve is in love with me?”
“The fact that she does indeed love you,” Victoria’s voice was steady, her expression full of candor. “Don’t feign ignorance. Not to me and not about this. You and I both witnessed Eve’s heart on full display for you.”
Again unnerved by her intense gaze, Colin proceeded to a marble bench surrounded by rosebushes. Their heady fragrance filled his lungs as he slumped upon the hard seat. What in bloody hell was it about roses today? Between Eve wearing one when she visited him earlier and now a garden filled with their scent … roses would always remind him of Eve, from this day forward.
“What would you like me to say, Victoria?” he asked, glancing upwards, studying the azure sky dotted with white frothy clouds, a complete contrast to his now foul mood.
Victoria
Why did his declaration affect him so?
As if he hadn’t said enough, Colin continued. “I wanted to marry her. I waited too long, and as you well know, she is currently betrothed to my brother.”
Colin paused, unable to comprehend why he
was admitting so much to a stranger, blood tie or not. Was it because he sought absolution? Was it because he hoped for censure? To make it easier to do what he knew was right – to stay the course, away from Eve, his desires be damned?
Victoria tipped her head to the side. “Please tell me you’re not trying to steer Eve away from your brother.”
“No, I refuse to hurt Tristan,” Colin assured her. “You must believe that.”
She squeezed her eyes shut then began to rub her temples with her fingertips. “I believe you,” she mumbled.
“Could you sound a wee bit more convincing?” he drawled.
Tori again met his gaze. “Sorry, I was thinking,” she muttered, shaking her head before continuing, her tone now surprisingly blithe. “Shall we take a turn in the gardens?”
“I beg your pardon?” Colin blinked, reeling from the sudden change of subject.
“Walk with me,” she linked her arm with his then led him into the maze of tall shrubbery. As they rounded a corner, Victoria began, “I know we don’t know each other well. To the rest of polite society we are bound by chance, your sister married to my brother. But we know better, don’t we?”
She paused long enough for him to nod in affirmation. “You are my blood. As happy as Sebastian and I are to have found you, I realize how awkward this must be for you. Discovering that your mother had an affair with our father and that you are a product of that tryst … what is good news for me has turned your life upside down.”
Colin studied his shoes. Although he had no doubt that Victoria’s motives were pure, the topic of his parentage was one he tried to avoid at all costs.
“We may not have grown up together, you and I, but you are still my brother and I love you already, Colin,” her words were rich with sincerity. Victoria crossed in front of him, forcing him to face her by tipping his chin up. “I want you to be happy; I truly do.”
“However …” he tilted his head to one side, waiting for her to continue.
She frowned. “I want the same for Tristan, and the more I consider what I just witnessed, I believe that he deserves better than to marry someone who is in love with you.”
“I beg your pardon?” Colin gaped at her, confused by the sharp turn in direction his discussion with Victoria had taken.
“What I witnessed isn’t as innocent as you wish me to believe,” Victoria wrung her hands. “There was meaning there, history and a depth of emotions that I suspect neither you nor Eve is prepared to face just yet. Tristan deserves better.”
Frustrated with the course of their conversation, Colin pulled away, tossing the rose Emma had given him earlier in the grass. “What would cause you imply that Eve is in love with me?”
“The fact that she does indeed love you,” Victoria’s voice was steady, her expression full of candor. “Don’t feign ignorance. Not to me and not about this. You and I both witnessed Eve’s heart on full display for you.”
Again unnerved by her intense gaze, Colin proceeded to a marble bench surrounded by rosebushes. Their heady fragrance filled his lungs as he slumped upon the hard seat. What in bloody hell was it about roses today? Between Eve wearing one when she visited him earlier and now a garden filled with their scent … roses would always remind him of Eve, from this day forward.
“What would you like me to say, Victoria?” he asked, glancing upwards, studying the azure sky dotted with white frothy clouds, a complete contrast to his now foul mood.
Victoria
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