Read Online Undressed (Undone by Love) by Kristina Cook - Free Book Online Page B

path. “I still cannot believe I managed to leave behind my reticule,” Jane muttered beside him. “I’m not usually so forgetful. Lucky for me, it was still sitting right where I left it. I do hope Colin was on his best behavior in my absence. Didn’t knock her to the ground again, did you, Colin?”
    Colin ruffled at the insult.
    “Not this time, Miss Rosemoor,” Brenna said, smiling sweetly. “I assure ye, he was the perfect gentleman.”
    “See, Colin ? That wasn’t so very difficult now, was it?”
    “I suggest you hold your tongue, Jane Rosemoor . Haven’t I enough troubles as it is without my own sister suggesting I’m anything but a gentleman?”  He was only teasing her; still, his chest tightened at the reminder. He’d heard the tabbies gossiping about him in the cake house, several of them taking no pains to lower their voices. Some of them had even been so brazen as to follow them out onto the promenades, like lionesses following the scent of blood.
    He’d hoped that the business at White’s would eventually blow over, that after a few weeks time, they’d forget what had happened and move on to the next scandal . Instead, nearly the opposite had occurred. According to Lucy, the gossip grew daily; every past misdeed of his had been rehashed and embellished till the tale began to take on epic proportions. No longer considered simply a cheat, he was now apparently labeled a rake, a reprobate, and even a drunken sot. All of which were entirely untrue.
    Yet men of long-standing acquaintance now passed him on the street with nary a word of acknowledgment, and ladies struck him from their invitation lists . The now-familiar flame of anger and frustration shot through him, tensing his muscles uncomfortably.
    He would prove his innocence and expose those who had set him up. The alternative was insupportable. But he needed time to clear his name and restore his honor.
    And what was Jane playing at, besides ? She knew his reputation was all but destroyed, that high society no longer received him. Yet here she was, insisting that he squire about Brenna, whose own position in the ton was tenuous at best. He should not have offered her the choice to remain in his company. It was far too imprudent. She was not yet familiar enough with the ways of the ton to realize the repercussions of such a decision.
    “I should go,” he blurted out, an uncomfortable sensation settling in his gut .
    “Don’t be silly,” Jane admonished, tightening her grip on his arm . “I hear what they are saying, Colin. Do not let them ruin this fine afternoon.”
    He said nothing in reply, squinting against the sun as he continued to follow the tree-lined path around a sharp bend, toward the Long Water . “Shall we walk along the canal?” he asked, attempting to staunch his growing resentment.
    “A fine idea,” Jane answered, her approval evident in her tone . “Oh, look, there’s Lady Wellesley up ahead; perhaps I’ll stop for a moment as I’ve something to discuss with her ladyship. But the two of you must feel free to take your exercise and collect me on your way back.”
    “Subtlety is not your strong suit, is it, Jane?” he said under his breath, leaning toward his sister . She only grinned in reply. “A wasted effort,” he added. In truth, his blood began to stir at the thought of finding himself alone in Brenna’s company once more, and he cursed himself such weakness.
    What else would the naive girl say, furthering his erotic visions of her—visions that he must banish from his mind or he’d go mad ? Never in his life had he entertained such impure thoughts about an innocent—an innocent who would return to Scotland come autumn, he reminded himself. Who did not need the blight of his association, besides. And who was in no way the kind of woman he should marry. If she’d even have him; her talk of returning to Scotland and her life there made it seem unlikely.
    Bloody hell, he was losing his mind . Little