“I do.”
“Then that is all that matters,” Diane remarked.
Colin chuckled. “You are giving her false hope, Mother.”
Diane swatted at his sleeve. “Do not be cruel, Colin,” she chided. “Arabella selected this tree for a specific reason, and we must respect that.”
“You are right.” Colin turned his attention towards her. “I do apologize for criticizing this… interesting tree.”
“I accept your apology,” Arabella said.
Diane nodded in approval. “If you will excuse me, I am going to sample the sweetmeats before the children arrive.”
As his mother stepped over to the tables, Colin remarked, “My mother is quite fond of sweetmeats.”
“It is rather thoughtful of you to accompany your mother here.”
“I wouldn’t dare miss seeing the excitement on the children’s faces as they decorate my tree.”
“You mean ‘our trees’,” she amended.
Colin smirked. “I spoke correctly.”
“You are a pompous jackanapes,” she muttered.
“Language, my dear,” he teased. “We wouldn’t want the children to overhear you saying such wicked things.”
Her lips twitched. “Remind me again why I am friends with you?”
He sobered a bit. “Are we friends?” he asked, his eyes roaming over her face.
“I suppose we are.”
A slow smile spread across his mouth and spilled into his eyes. “I am pleased to hear that.”
“That is, assuming you stop making fun of my tree.”
Colin made a face. “I’m afraid I can’t agree to that,” he said. “It is just awful.”
Before she could reply, the sounds of the children could be heard coming from the entry hall, announcing their arrival.
Chapter Eleven
Colin remained rooted in his spot as he watched girls of all ages walk into the saloon. They wore plain frocks and had their hair neatly done.
As Lady Langdon and his mother rushed over to greet them, he leaned closer to Arabella and asked, “What is the plan?”
“Whatever do you mean?” she asked.
“I am unsure what I should be doing right now.”
Arabella turned her head, their faces only inches apart. “Just smile and enjoy yourself.”
“I can do that,” Colin replied, pasting on a grin.
Her eyes darted to his lips. “You might want to work on your smile.”
“What is wrong with this smile?”
