Free Enticing Eve: Scandalous Secrets, Book 2 by Tracy Goodwin Page A

reached the table, “allow me to introduce my brother Colin.”  
    Her grandmother’s introduction to Colin provided Eve the opportunity to study the scene before her without appearing too obvious.
    “Oh, my dear, welcome home!” Fiona beamed as peacock feathers from her gown drifted upon the soft breeze.
    Showing no air of disapproval at the woman’s ostentatious choice in garments, Colin bowed and kissed the back of the Dowager Viscountess’s hand.  
    Based upon Fiona’s animated expression and rosy cheeks, Colin had already passed the Viscountess’s test without saying one word.
    He’s getting off too easy.
    The force and speed at which her anger reared its ugly head surprised Eve. After all, what difference could it possibly make if her grandmother likes Colin?  
    Eve knew the answer all too well – because she always imagined that Colin and Fiona would get along. It was her dearest wish that they would be a family.  
    Again, Eve was reminded of just how much she had lost.
    “Your sister is thrilled to have you home at last and I can see why. I dare say, you are charming. And what beautiful blue eyes you have, darling,” the Viscountess said as Colin escorted Fiona to her seat. “Neither your sister nor brother has blue eyes, do they?”  
    What an odd question.
    “No, we’re not as fortunate,” Gwen replied as she ushered her brother towards Eve.
    “Allow me to introduce Fiona’s granddaughter, Eve,” Gwen proclaimed.  
    Eve offered Colin her hand under silent protest. To do anything different would alert the others to the fact that she already knew him, and that was the last thing she wanted.  
    Colin kissed the back of her hand, his azure gaze scrutinizing her response to his touch. It disarmed her, causing Eve to pull away from him in a deliberate effort to create as much distance as possible between them.
    No one seemed to have noticed as Sebastian announced, “Please be seated, everyone.”
    Eve’s grandmother continued, “Your father had brown eyes, yes?” Fiona asked Colin, who looked rather uncomfortable as he took his seat next to his sister.  
    Gwen answered for him again. “Yes, our father had brown eyes. Colin inherited our mother’s beautiful blue eyes.”
    “Isn’t that extraordinary,” Fiona smiled, her voice light. It was obvious that the Viscountess remained oblivious to Colin’s dislike of the subject. “All this time I believed that one inherits his or her father’s eye color, not his or her mother’s.”
    “If that is true then even at birth, my brother defied convention,” Gwen teased.
    Fiona laughed, her curls bobbing about her cherubic face. “How delightful! ”
    Gwen leaned towards her brother before whispering something inaudible. Despite craning her neck in an attempt to hear their conversation, Eve was unable to discern one word since a servant with extremely poor timing chose that very moment to place her plate in front of her with a soft clank .  
    With great ease, Sebastian turned the conversation to Victoria and her art. His sister appeared quick to discuss her work, having painted all day apparently. Victoria then mentioned the fan Fiona had made for her, and the Dowager Viscountess joined their lively dialogue.
    Eve watched the scene with great interest, noting that Colin and Gwen were still in the midst of their private dialogue. Gwen squeezed Colin’s hand before picking up her fork. He smiled in response though his once vibrant eyes remained flat.  
    Eve continued to study him throughout their meal, noting that he smiled when appropriate and laughed at all of her grandmother’s jokes; yet, beyond his cordial façade, his eyes remained unanimated, the spark that she’d witnessed years earlier now all but extinguished.  
    It was as if Colin hid behind a well-crafted mask of manners and polite conversation. When prodded, he was a dutiful brother happy to be home and the embodiment of a polite dinner companion. All the while, his eyes