The Spinster by Bree Wolf

Author:Bree Wolf [Wolf, Bree & Finishing School, Ladies of Miss Bell's]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2019-05-20T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

A Word Given

Ever since Colin had taken her arm, Jo had been acutely aware of his presence. The warmth of his touch. The teasing sparkle in his eyes. The soft curl that came to lips whenever his gaze would meet hers.

And again, she had felt that flutter in her stomach that only he had ever stirred within her.

Renewed guilt had welled up in her heart; not only for Owen’s sake, but now for Brendan’s as well. Was this her fate? To betray the man she was betrothed to?

Ever since Colin’s return, Jo had done her utmost to ignore the deep longing that had suddenly returned to her heart. She had tried to tell herself that he was merely a friend, that she cared for Brendan, but it had been no use. Her heart had called her a liar.

And yet, she had given her word.

This time it had been her choice. Not her parents’. It had been she who had chosen to accept Brendan’s proposal, promising him her heart, her loyalty, her future.

“Why did you accept Kenwood’s proposal?” Colin all but snarled as he stood before her, his large frame blocking the door, forcing her to answer.

Jo swallowed, overwhelmed by the sudden confrontation. Only moments ago, she had begun to relax in his company, finally able to see past the guilt that had reclaimed her ever since his return. And now, here he was, asking the very question she feared more than any other.

Why indeed? For deep down, Johanna knew that it had not been love that had urged her on. No, if she was utterly honest with herself, she knew that it had not been.

Still, this was not the time and place to be utterly honest, and so Jo raised her chin and met Colin’s burning gaze with a defiant one of her own. “How dare you snap at me like this? Have you no manners?”

A dark chuckle rose from his throat as he stalked toward her, the green in his eyes darkening with each step. “Why did you accept his proposal?” he insisted, the tense set of his jaw telling her that he would not allow her to dodge his question forever.

Inhaling a deep breath, Jo steeled herself. “Because…because I enjoy his company.” The moment the words had left her lips, Jo knew it was a weak answer, and she wondered where it had come from. If she was to convince Colin that she did not care for him, she had have to do better.

After all, she had given her word.

Colin snorted, “That’s a rather odd way of saying that you care for him.” His eyes narrowed as he watched her. “Do you?”

Gritting her teeth, Jo swallowed, willing herself not to drop her gaze. “Of course, I do,” she bit out, crossing her arms in front of her. “Why else would I have accepted him?”

“That’s exactly what I want to know,” Colin replied as he strode forward, his long legs carrying him to her until the tips of his shoes brushed the hem of her gown.

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