Undressed (Undone by Love) by Kristina Cook Page A

association with him. Perhaps he thought she had readily agreed to such a mandate.
    “Mr. Rosemoor,” she blurted out before she thought better of it, “would ye mind verra much if I had a private word with ye before ye take your leave?”
    His steely gaze bore through hers, making her squirm in discomfort.
    “Actually, I would mind,” he said at last . “I’m certain Lord Danville would not approve. I’ve grown quite fond of my limbs, you see. I would not wish to part with them, simply for a moment of your company, no matter how agreeable it might be.” 
    “My father is not here, Mr. Rosemoor, and I dinna wish to leave things unsaid between us.”
    At last remembering Jane and Lady Mandeville’s presence beside her, she turned to find them both wide-eyed, watching the exchange with unconcealed curiosity.
    “Colin,” Jane entreated her brother in a harsh whisper, tipping her head toward the terrace, “go on.”
    Colin looked from his sister to Lady Mandeville, who nodded her own encouragement, before returning his simmering gaze to Brenna’s. “Have I a choice?” he muttered, striding off toward the French doors that led to the terrace beyond. “Come, Lady Brenna. We’ll retire out to the garden. We won’t be long,” he added as he stepped out onto the flagstones, Brenna silently in tow.
    Perhaps this wasna such a good idea, after all , Brenna thought as the door clicked shut behind them. She took a moment to study the tips of her half boots as she gathered her courage to face him.
    “You realize I’ve been informed by your father that I am to cease all association with you?” Colin said, watching as she raised her aquamarine gaze to meet his . Damn those eyes. They were beginning to haunt his dreams.
    “Aye, I’m aware of it,” she answered, her voice steady . Her gaze locked with his, daring him to look away. “And yet despite what I just stumbled upon—”
    “You stumbled upon nothing untoward . Lucy is like a sister to me, nothing more.”  He folded his arms across his chest as he watched the flicker of disbelief play across her features. She didn’t believe him. She truly thought she’d caught him in some sort of compromising position with Lucy. He almost laughed aloud at the absurdity of such a notion.
    “Yes, well, regardless,” she continued, “I thought it only fair to tell ye that I was displeased by my parents’ command that I avoid your company . I...I protested against it. Most vehemently.” 
    “How very charitable of you,” he drawled .
    “Yet they remain convinced of your ill character, despite my protests . I’m verra sorry, Mr. Rosemoor, but as long as I remain under their protection, I havena a choice.”
    “You can choose to believe whatever you wish about me, Lady Brenna.”
    “I thought ye to be an honorable man, a gentleman whose name was falsely tarnished.”
    “But you no longer believe that to be true?” he challenged.
    “I...I dinna ken what I believe anymore.”  Uncertainty shadowed her eyes.
    “Then we’ve nothing more to say, have we ? I bid you a good day.”  He bowed stiffly and turned toward the pair of doors leading back inside.
    “Wait.”
    He froze, one hand on the handle. Closing his eyes, he took a deep, ragged breath.
    “I must be daft, but I do believe ye an honorable man. Despite what they say, despite what I’ve seen today with my own eyes...” Her voice trailed off, and he turned to face her.
    A battle raged within him, nearly taking his breath away . Selfishly, he wanted her to believe him, to believe in him. He craved her affection with a sharp, near-painful desperation. But what would it cost her? Her reputation. Her father had forbidden her to associate with him, and Ballard had told him that, despite his own protestations, his father’s resolve on the matter was firm. What price would she pay if she disobeyed him? What price would he pay at her father’s hands?
    “I know what kind of man ye are, Colin . A good man,