“If you want me to pity you, I’m afraid you’ll be sorely disappointed,” John said. “Paul left you a flourishing estate, making you one of the most eligible bachelors in all of England.”
“Lovely,” Colin grumbled.
“Do you intend to go to London for the Season?”
“I do, but only to take my seat in the House of Lords.”
John chuckled. “That’s good,” he said. “I wouldn’t wish for you to enjoy yourself by participating in all the festivities that London offers.”
Colin pushed back his chair, rose, and walked over to the window. “I saw Arabella this morning,” he revealed a moment later.
John grew solemn. “Is she visiting her grandmother?”
“She is.”
“How did it go?” John asked slowly.
Colin frowned. “She hates me.”
“Well, I can hardly blame her,” John responded. “You broke off your engagement to her.”
“For good reason.”
“I cannot believe that.”
Colin turned around to face his brother. “Arabella deserved better than being tied to me,” he explained. “I had no idea when I would return, or if I would return.”
John eyed him curiously. “Do you intend to court Arabella now that your circumstances are different?”
“If she will have me.”
John rose and walked over to the drink cart. “Are you aware that Arabella was engaged to Lord Eastwood, but he called off the wedding?”
“She informed me of that.”
“Did she tell you why?”
Colin shook his head. “She didn’t go into specifics.”
“Lord Eastwood eloped to Gretna Green with Lady Georgiana,” John said. “The rumor amongst thetonis that she is increasing.”
“Poor Arabella.”
“I’m afraid Arabella’s reputation will not recover from this,” John said. “You may very well be her last hope of ever marrying.”
Colin ran a hand through his brown hair. “Arabella has not had an easy go of it, has she?”
“No, she hasn’t,” John responded. “After you broke off the engagement, she wasn’t invited to Almack’s, and she was ostracized by some of the families in high Society.”
“That must have been devastating for her.”
“I imagine it was.”
Colin walked over to the drink cart and picked up the decanter. As he poured himself a drink, he said, “When I arrived back in England, I was desolated to discover that Arabella was engaged to another, but I truly thought she was happy.”
“Do you believe she is happy now?”
“No, I don’t,” Colin replied. “I can see sadness lurking in her eyes.”
