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Chapter 8
Almost thirty minutes later, Mina walked with the earl into his library, where a few lamps had been lit and a fire blazed in the hearth. Wanting to feel more relaxed, she tugged off her gloves and toed off her slippers. His lordship smiled and removed his jacket and unknotted his cravat. Strolling over to the mantle, he poured brandy into two glasses and handed her one.
“You are urging me to live dangerously.”
He flashed her a grin and lifted his glass in a silent toast. “To dangerous living, Hermina.”
God, she liked the way he said her name.
“Mina,” she murmured.
“Mina. I like it. I am Colin,” he said with humor twinkling in his eyes.
She took a tentative sip, coughing at the trail of fire that scorched down her throat. “This is ghastly.” Still, she took another sip, finding it went down easier. “Please let me see your cuts.”
“It is truly nothing.”
Ignoring him, she led him over to the chair by the fire and stared at the largest gash on his knuckle. Acting on instinct, she splashed her brandy into the small wound. He hissed but did not pull away. She stared at the deep gash, recalling everything that had happened and once again feeling the ache of tears burning in the back of her throat. “I knew Lord Newell once,” she admitted softly. “I was a girl of sixteen when I met him.”
Colin froze, then his shoulders relaxed. “You don’t have to tell me your secrets, Mina.”
She glanced up at him with a small smile. “It is not a secret…more of a shame.”
Something dangerous gleamed in his gaze. “I am going to kill the bounder and—”
Mina pressed a finger over his lips, marveling that such a gentle touch had the power to silence him and hold his expression transfixed. “We will have to address this blood-thirsty tendency of yours,” she said with a light laugh.
He nipped her finger and she drew it back. Shaking, Mina walked over and sat in the chair facing him. “I was sixteen when we met, only he was not the viscount then. I thought I was in love with a rake,” she said with a rueful laugh. “It had felt so exciting, but what did I truly know of romantic love?”
Mina sighed. “My family…we are not so elevated because my father is only a member of the clergy.
“A respectable position,” he said.
“Yes, but not elevated enough for a young man whose parents were of the ton. Only I did not believe it. I was so blinded by his pretty words and attention. His courtship was the talk of our little village, and for some time, even my sisters and mother were happy at the prospect of a marriage between our families.”
He lifted a brow at the mention of her family, but he made no comment. Mina took another bracing sip of the brandy, appreciating how it warmed her. “I had many romantic ideas about being his wife and coming to London and taking part in the grand seasons I heard so many stories about from my aunt. Except he had other ideas. He convinced me it would be romantic to elope. I knew it was wrong, but I thought once we returned married, my parents would be delighted.” Mina shook her head. “I was dreadfully naive. I left a note for my parents, and we eloped to Scotland. We traveled alone for three days in a carriage, so my reputation was already shredded before we reached the border.”
The earl stared at her with a hooded gaze. “Did you make it to Gretna Green?”
“No. We stayed at an inn that final night before reaching Scotland. He tried…he tried to seduce me. I refused because I wanted to be married first. He got frustrated and shouted that he could not marry me for his father had forbidden it, but he wanted me as his lover. I was so confused and hurt. The memory of my naivety shames me to this day.”
“You were sixteen, Mina,” he said gently. “And I am certain that blackguard was older than you are.”
“Yes, he was one and twenty, but—”
“There is no but; he took advantage of your heart and kindness by playing a cruel trick for his own selfish needs. He knew an elopement would have caused damage to your reputation. Perhaps he was hoping you would have nowhere to turn but accept being under his protection, and he then could keep you as his mistress, for you would be alone in this harsh world. The damn bounder deserved more than a couple punches.”
“When I attempted to leave, he became more forceful with his attentions. I hit him over the head with the chamber pot. Thankfully it was empty. Then I made it home.”
“You were brave and resourceful,” Colin said, admiration in his expression. “It must have been frightening making the journey home alone, but you did it.”
Mina smiled. “I was assisted by a kind farmer and his wife for most of the journey.” She looked away into the flames, that familiar pain crowding her throat. “My family was not happy to see me. I was too besmirched by my actions to be forgiven.”
“Rubbish. The cornerstone of your father’s teaching should be love and forgiveness.”
“Well,” she said with false brightness. “I was turned away by everyone in the village, and my reputation was in tatters after my father used my actions in a sermon to preach against the sins of temptation and willfulness. Everyone knew…and all my friends stopped speaking to me. Even my sisters, my brother…” her voice cracked, and with a horrifying jolt, she realized tears trailed down her cheeks.
“I must go,” she gasped, hurrying to her feet and whirling around.
