He opened his mouth to apologize, but she spoke first. “For the first three years, I was ostracized by theton, but then Lord Eastwood began to show me favor. My life changed for the better, but I had no idea the type of man he was until it was too late.”
Colin winced. “For what it is worth, I am truly sorry,” he said, hoping his words conveyed his sincerity.
She stared at him for a long moment. “Thank you for that, but what’s done is done.”
Feeling compassion swell inside of him, he took a step closer to her, and was devastated to see her step back.
“I should be heading back to my grandmother’s,” she said. “I wouldn’t want her to worry about me.”
“That would be wise,” Colin replied, but he found that he wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye. “Would you like for me to assist you onto your horse?”
“That won’t be necessary.” She walked her horse over to a fallen tree and used it to mount.
“I had forgotten how independent you are,” he joked, hoping to lighten the mood.
Arabella adjusted the skirt of her grey riding habit. “It was good to see you again, even if it was for just a moment.”
“Would it be permissible if I called upon you?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
“Why not?”
A pained look came to her face. “You made your choice years ago, my lord,” she replied.
“I do not like you ‘my lord’-ing me,” Colin said. “I would prefer it if you called me by my given name.”
“It would be entirely inappropriate to do so.”
He smiled, hoping to disarm her. “I still intend to call you Bella.”
She gave him a scolding look. “You are being entirely too familiar.”
“You cannot possibly be in earnest,” he said in disbelief. “Whether you like it or not, we have a shared past.”
“I am well aware,” she responded as she urged her horse forward.
Colin felt his lips curve upward as he watched her ride off. It felt wonderful to see Arabella, but he knew much still needed to be said between them.
Chapter Three
Arabella tried to calm her racing heart as she rode away from Colin. She hadn’t been prepared to see him. After five years, there were so many things that she had wanted to say, could have said, but instead she just fled from him.
Coward.
She couldn’t seem to find her voice when his mere presence seemed to unsettle her. He had grown even more handsome since the last time she had seen him, and his eyes seemed to bore into her very soul, and she was afraid of what he might see.
She should be incensed at Colin, but her treacherous heart leapt at the sight of him. It was ridiculous! He had broken their engagement and left her to deal with all the gossips without the slightest remorse. No; she would be mindful to avoid Colin from here on out. He wasn’t worth her notice, not anymore.
Why hadn’t her grandmother warned her that Colin was residing at his country estate? Didn’t she realize the animosity Arabella held for him?
Arabella reined in her horse as she approached the stable, effortlessly dismounted, and extended the reins to the groom.
“Did you have a nice ride, milady?” the groom asked.
“I did,” she replied. “I intend to go riding later today, as well.”
The groom tipped his head. “As you wish.”
