WHEN COLIN and Amy reached the dining room, they found the family arranged the same way they’d been seated the night before he’d left, forcing the two of them to sit beside each other again.
Colin wasn’t surprised.
He took his seat, and supper was served. Conversation swirled as usual, but tonight he was the one not participating. He was so aware of Amy, he could swear he felt heat emanating from her. It had taken all his self-control not to kiss her in the keep.
She seemed different tonight. She wore a different gown, a hunter green he remembered Kendra wearing at a house party last year. Her hair was in curls again…
It was her eyes, he decided suddenly. The amethyst sparkle was back.
No one would think of describing this self-assured girl as “a wreck” now. She laughed and joked with his sister and brothers, kept up with their repartee as though born to a large, noisy family.
This large, noisy family, in fact.
Colin was startled. Amy was everything his siblings had claimed: intelligent, talented, animated, witty…beautiful…and entirely too comfortable amongst the Chases.
When she laughed again, his fists clenched under the table. He forced himself to look at his plate instead of her.
He would deliver her to a ship bound for France—tomorrow. It was clear that Jason had no intention of doing so any time soon, and it must be done—the sooner, the better.
“What do you think, Colin?” Amy asked, breaking into his thoughts.
“Pardon me?” He hadn’t followed the conversation in the slightest.
“Amy has challenged you to a game of piquet after supper,” said Ford.
“I just taught her last month,” Kendra complained, “and already she puts me to shame.”
“I’m weary tonight.” Colin had no desire to match wits at a card game, most especially not with Amy. Besides, he had his plan to carry out. “I was looking forward to relaxing and listening to you play the harpsichord, Kendra.”
“I played last night.”
“Not for me. Please?” He sighed theatrically. “I’ve been locked up in my isolated stronghold for weeks, with no civilized entertainment…”
“Oh, very well. You don’t need to act so miserable.” Kendra sounded irritated, but her eyes danced. She dearly loved being appreciated.