“Well, if you will excuse me, I need to get ready for tonight’s ball.”
That caught Colin’s attention. His gaze snapped to his sister.
“We are not going to a ball tonight.”
“Of course we are! Aren’t we Abigail?” The girl pleaded with a panicked gaze in her direction. “Today is the Duchess of Montmercy ball. It is the most important ball of the season. Everyone will be there. We can’t miss it.”
“It isn't safe. Until we know more about these attacks and who is behind them, we should limit the amount of outings.” Colin said tightly.
“But we can’t sequester ourselves in the house because of a minor mishap at the gardens–”
“It was not a minor mishap. Didn’t you just hear what I said? It was a deliberately planned attack.”
“Oh, but you can’t give credence to the words of a ruffian like that. He would say anything to save his neck! It was probably a random attack. Besides, the Duchess of Montmercy’s Ball is not the same as Cremorne. We’ll be perfectly safe there. Abigail, tell him.” The girl turned pleading eyes on her.
Oh, my... was she supposed to intercede? No matter what she did, she was bound to upset one of them. If she said she didn’t think they should go, which was the truth, Elizabeth would be terribly disappointed. But if she lied and said she wasn’t worried and they should go to the ball, then perhaps Colin was going to be upset that she had not supported him.
“I... maybe we could go for just a little while?” She looked at Colin pleadingly, willing him not to be angry. “And you don’t have to dance. I completely understand if you are tired. In fact, I probably won’t dance either, for I’m quite exhausted myself, but we can watch over Elizabeth.”
He only grunted in response, looking away from them again to stare out the window. Impossible man! Couldn’t he tell she was doing it for his sister? His face was angled and his profile gave nothing away as to his disposition, but she knew better. He was unhappy with her. Had been for a while. This was just another mark against her.
He stood and left the room, climbing the stairs without saying another word. He was walking with his torso bent forward a little, his shoulders hunched, his hand on the banister providing more support than usual.
Abigail frowned. Maybe he was in more pain than he let on. He seemed so formidable, especially after the way he routed the assailants last night, that she tended to forget that he had back issues.
Should she cancel their outing tonight? But then Elizabeth would be crushed. This ball was the event of the season, and the girl had been talking about it for days. Abigail had even picked a gown especially for this event and was looking forward to it.
She could ask her brother to accompany them. That way, Colin could stay home if he so wished. She sighed. The ball wouldn’t be even half fun without him there. Even brooding and scowling from the sidelines, she enjoyed having him around. Enjoyed glancing away from whoever she was dancing with at the moment and meeting his eyes across the ballroom.
Mounting the stairs, she went to his room to propose the idea. The sound of furniture being dragged could be heard coming from inside. She knocked.
A few moments passed before Mr. Wang opened the door. The quiet man merely bowed briefly at the waist and stepped aside to let her in.
Colin was straddling what looked like a tall padded bench. He was still in his trousers and shirtsleeves, but was obviously in the process of disrobing. His feet were already bare and his shirt was untucked and half undone. He looked deliciously rumpled. And annoyed at what he obviously considered an interruption of whatever he was about to do.
“Yes, my dear?” He asked, but somehow the endearment didn’t sound as sweet as when he said it in the midst of passion.
“I can come back if you are busy at the moment.” She replied, not able to hide her curiosity at what he was doing.
He noticed, for his smile was sardonic as he gestured to the bench. “I was about to have a massage. It helps me when... when my back bothers me,” he finished, looking away.
He must be in severe pain, to have admitted even the smallest weakness.
“I see. That’s what I came to tell you. If you are in pain, I could ask my brother to escort us to the Montmercy ball tonight. I know he is in town and he has offered to escort us about.”
His eyes narrowed, and his lips pressed into a hard line. “That won’t be necessary. I shall be able to escort you tonight.”
“But you are obviously in pain. Truly, it is unnecessary, my brother–”
“Your brother can do as he pleases. But I will be the one escorting my wife and sister to the ball.”
“Don’t be hard-headed Colin. Why would you push yourself so? You didn’t want to go. I’m giving you the chance to stay home and recover.”
If anything, his eyes turned colder, angrier. “I am not an invalid that needs to stay home and recover. Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to proceed with my massage, madam.”
It was a cutting dismissal. Good god, she had only tried to ease his burdens. The way he had reacted, you’d think she had impugned his manhood or something. Troubled, she nodded and walked away.
***
