Free All I Ever Needed by Jo Goodman Page A

the line of it was receding. These things could be explained by the natural progression of age, except that Blackwood preferred to blame Eastlyn, Northam, Southerton, and West. This moment was one of many supporting that view. "I cannot persuade you?"
    "No."
    Blackwood picked up the poker in his lap and used it to stab at the fire while he considered another approach.
    "I am set on this," Eastlyn said. He understood his mentor's silence and knew that he could expect a change in tactics. In point of fact, Eastlyn realized he could not stop Blackwood from doing as he wished; yet something between them would be altered if the colonel made his inquiries. "Can we not leave it?"
    The poker went still in Blackwood's hands. "If you are wrong about the lady, then your life may be forfeit. Do you expect that I should make no effort to protect you?"
    "I am not wrong," East said with quiet conviction.
    "Who is she, East?"
    "No part of my life. And it is better that she remain so."
    The colonel reset the poker with the other fireplace tools. "Can you not humor me in some small way? Tell me at least how this engagement came to be. I heard of it, you know, but you had already left for the Battenburn estate when the news came to me."
    "You were surprised?"
    "I was skeptical."
    Eastlyn felt himself relaxing. His fingers eased their grip on the arms of the chair, and he offered up a small smile. It was so very like the colonel not to accept the town gossip as gospel. "I took quite a ribbing from the others."
    Blackwood nodded. "I should be something close to astonished if they passed on the opportunity."
    "So would I." He rested his head against the back of the wing chair, and his chin came up slightly. "There is no engagement, sir."
    "I am beginning to appreciate that, yet it has become what passes for common knowledge among the ton."
    "I believe Lady Sophia's family encouraged the rumor once they heard of it. At the very least, they did not deny it."
    The colonel rubbed his chin as he considered this. "Her family?" he asked. "Not the lady herself?"
    "I accept that she is without blame in this." Eastlyn did not expect Blackwood to be so easily convinced. It was in the man's nature to probe at all aspects of a problem. "I heard nothing about my supposed engagement while I was in London. I imagine the rumor was just taking substance and strength as I was taking my leave for the Battenburn rout. I first learned of it from some of the baron's guests." He sighed, remembering the confusion he was forced to mask as he was congratulated for his good fortune. "They were tripping over themselves to wish me happy."
    "Then you did not deny it either."
    "Only to North, West, and South. To let it be acknowledged as a falsehood would have cast Lady Sophia in an unfavorable light. She did not deserve to be treated so shabbily. The trick that was played was meant to make things uncomfortable for me."
    The colonel's eyes narrowed as he considered Eastlyn's assertion. "I take it you have a suspect for the source of the rumor."
    East nodded. The tips of his steepled fingers tapped lightly together. "I have had no opportunity to confirm it yet. My first responsibility was to Lady Sophia."
    "She has absolved you?"
    "She was everything gracious."
    "How fortunate for you. It could have been difficult to extricate yourself if she had been in expectation of a proposal."
    Eastlyn's gaze fell to his hands, and he stared at them a long moment, saying nothing. "Yes," he said finally. "It was as you say, fortunate." He looked up and caught the colonel still watching him closely. He smiled easily, stretching his long legs before him. "I suppose I've always been lucky that way, haven't I?"
    Blackwood was struck by the tone that was a bit off the mark for one reveling in his luck. It made him more curious about the lady. "I do not believe I am at all familiar with her," he said. "How long have you been acquainted?"
    The question forced Eastlyn to recall again the circumstances