Free The Duke's Indiscretion by Adele Ashworth Page B

our deal regarding the pianoforte.”
    â€œNo, not at all,” Colin replied without embellishment.
    The earl’s thick brows furrowed as he gestured toward the settee in an invitation to sit. “Then what can I do for you today, sir?”
    As with their first meeting, something about the man’s demeanor irritated him. Dressed in casual attire, obviously not expecting visitors for tea, he wore plain, tan trousers and an equally unobtrusive matching shirt, unbuttoned at the neck. He hadn’t donnedany jewelry, and yet it seemed to Colin as if he were just the type of man to do so, for any occasion. He looked and acted ordinary enough, an Englishman at ease, at home in his surroundings, though beneath his smooth disposition there seemed to lurk a certain raw tension, perhaps a general frustration caused by concern for his future if his financial situation were indeed questionable. Still, the Earl of Brixham hadn’t done or said anything inappropriate or rude to him, surely nothing to garner such wariness on his part, and yet the man would soon become his brother-in-law, and Colin couldn’t put his finger on one agreeable thing about him.
    Doing his best to relax against the worn settee cushion, he crossed a leg over the opposite knee and interlaced his fingers in his lap. Getting right to the point, he stated, “I’ve come with an offer for Charlotte.”
    The earl didn’t even respond with a glance as he neared him. “Another offer? Surely you don’t think she possesses any antiques for your collection.”
    If he wasn’t so annoyed at the entire situation, Colin might be amused by the earl’s unsympathetic ignorance. “Doesn’t she, as a lady, possess some worth?” he asked wryly.
    Brixham paused beside a wingback chair, his thigh balanced against the armrest. “I beg your pardon?”
    Colin shrugged lightly. “You said she needed a husband, and after careful thought, I’ve decided a match between the Lady Charlotte and myself would be…optimal. So, I’m here to offer for her hand.”
    It was a groundbreaking moment to be sure as Earl Brixham seemed to pale before his eyes, his mouth parting a fraction in bewilderment.
    Colin waited, expression flat, actually enjoying the man’s shock.
    Finally Brixham swallowed, and without looking at it, grabbed the opposite armrest of the chair at his side and more or less plopped down hard on the seat. “Why Charlotte?”
    â€œWhy not?” Colin gave him a half smile. “Does it matter?”
    Seconds passed in silence. Then the earl abruptly recovered from his initial daze, shaking himself and pulling down on his cuffs as he straightened in his seat and resumed a formal posture.
    â€œI apologize, your grace. It’s just that I wasn’t expecting an offer of marriage, especially when you seemed so…unaffected by my sister at your first meeting. You clearly weren’t interested in taking a wife only a week or two ago, and now…well…here you are.” He chuckled, patting down on the back of his hair. “I’m surprised, that’s all.”
    Colin forced himself from squirming in his chair, annoyed that he hadn’t considered the suddenness of the proposal and how it might look to the lady’s brother. On the other hand, he really didn’t need to explain himself, or his actions; the man needed the financial support the union would provide and clearly wanted to free himself from the very real possibility of caring for a spinster sister until his dying breath. Colin could do that for him and they both knew it.
    Tenting his fingers in front of him, he nodded as if he completely understood the earl’s concern. “You’re right, of course, but after considering everything in the last few days, I’ve decided it’s time for me to dothe honorable thing and marry. Meeting the Lady Charlotte has presented me with a socially