"So you've thought of everything, have you?"
Nathan nodded. "Of course."
"Oh?" Colin paused to smile. "And what if she won't fit through the window? Have you considered that possibility?"
That question got just the reaction Colin wanted. Nathan looked startled, then shook his head. "It's a large window, Colin."
"She might be larger."
If Nathan was chilled by that possibility, he didn't let it show. "Then I'll roll her down the stairs," he drawled.
Colin laughed over that picture. "Aren't you at all curious to see how she turned out?"
"No."
"Well, I am," Colin finally admitted. "Since I won't be going along with you two on your honeymoon, it's only decent to satisfy my curiosity before you leave."
"It's a journey, not a honeymoon," Nathan countered. "Quit trying to bait me, Colin. She's a Winchester, for God's sake, and the only reason we're sailing is to get her away from her relatives."
"I don't know how you're going to stomach it," Colin said. His grin was gone, his concern obvious in his expression. "God, Nathan, you're going to have to bed her in order to produce an heir if you want the land, too."
Before Nathan could comment on that reminder Colin continued. "You don't have to go through with this. The company will make it with or without the funds from the contract. Besides, now that King George has officially stepped down the prince regent will surely rule to overturn the contract. The Winchesters have been waging an intense campaign to sway his mind. You could turn your back on this."
"No." His tone was emphatic. "My signature's on that contract. A St. James doesn't break his word."
Colin snorted. "You can't be serious," he replied. "The St. James men are known to break just about anything when the mood strikes them."
Nathan had to agree with that observation. "Yes," he said. "Regardless, Colin, I won't turn my back on this matter any more than you would take the money your brother offered. It's a point of honor. Hell, we've been over this before. My mind's made up."
He leaned against the window frame and let out a long, weary sigh. "You aren't going to let up unless I agree to go, are you?"
"No," Colin answered. "Besides, you'll want to count the number of Winchester uncles there so you'll know how many you have to contend with this evening."
It was a paltry argument, and they both knew it. "No one's going to get in my way, Colin."
That statement was made in a soft, chilling tone of voice.
Colin grinned in reaction. "I'm well aware of your special talents, friend. I just hope to God there isn't a bloodbath tonight."
"Why?"
"I'd hate to miss all the fun."
"Then come along."
"I can't," Colin answered. "One favor deserves another, remember? I had to promise the duchess I'd attend her daughter's recital, heaven save me, if she could find a way to get Lady Sara to attend her party this afternoon."
"She won't be there," Nathan predicted. "Her bastard father doesn't let her attend any functions."
"Sara will be there," Colin predicted. "The earl of Winchester wouldn't dare offend the duchess. She specifically requested that Lady Sara be allowed to join in the festivities."
"What reason did she give?"
"I haven't the faintest idea," Colin answered. "Time's wasting, Nathan."
"Damn." After muttering that expletive Nathan pulled away from the frame. "Let's get it done, then."
Colin was quick to take advantage of his victory. He strode out the door before his friend could change his mind.
On their way across the congested city he turned to ask Nathan, "Aren't you wondering how we'll know which one is Sara?"
"I'm sure you have it all figured out," he remarked dryly.
"That I do," Colin returned in a gratingly cheerful voice. "My sister Rebecca has promised she'll stay close to Lady Sara all afternoon. I've hedged my bets, too."
He waited a long minute for Nathan to inquire as to how he'd done that, then continued. "If Rebecca is waylaid from her duty, I've lined up my other three sisters to take turns stepping in. You know, old boy, you really could show a little more enthusiasm."
"This outing is a complete waste of my time."
Colin didn't agree, but he kept that opinion to himself.
Neither man spoke again until they'd reached the rise above the gardens and reined in their mounts. The cover of the trees shielded them well, yet they had a clear view of the guests strolling about the gardens of the duchess's estate below.
"Hell, Colin, I feel like a schoolboy."
His friend laughed. "Leave it to the duchess to go overboard," he remarked when he noticed the crowd of musicians filing toward the lower terrace. "She hired an entire orchestra."
"Ten minutes, Colin, and then I'm leaving."
"Agreed," Colin placated. He turned to look at his friend. Nathan was scowling. "You know, she might have been willing to leave with you, Nathan, if you'd-"
"Are you suggesting I send another letter?" Nathan asked. He raised an eyebrow over the absurdity of that possibility. "You do recall what happened the last time I followed your advice, don't you?"
"Of course I remember," Colin answered. "But things might have changed. There could have been a misunderstanding. Her father could have-"
"A misunderstanding?" Nathan sounded incredulous. "I sent the note on a Thursday, and I was damn specific, Colin."
"I know," Colin said. "You told them you were going to collect your bride the following Monday."
"You thought I should have given her more time to pack her belongings."
Colin grinned. "I did, didn't I? In defense of my gentlemanly behavior, I must say I never imagined she'd run away. She was quick, too, wasn't she?"
"Yes, she was," Nathan replied, a hint of a smile in his voice.
"You could have gone after her."
"Why? My men followed her. I knew where she was. I just decided to leave her alone a little longer."
"A stay of execution, perchance?"
Nathan did laugh then. "She's only a woman, Colin, but yes, I do suppose it was a reprieve of sorts."
"There was more to it than that, though, wasn't there? You knew she would be in danger as soon as you claimed her. You won't admit it, Nathan, but in your own way you've been protecting Sara by leaving her alone. I'm right, aren't I?"
"You just said I wouldn't admit it," he countered. "Why bother to ask?"
"God help the two of you. The next year is going to be hell. You'll both have the world trying to do you in."
Nathan shrugged. "I'll protect her."
"I don't doubt that."
Nathan shook his head. "The daft woman actually booked passage on one of our own ships to run away from me. That still chafes. A bit of an irony, wouldn't you say?"
"Not really," Colin answered. "She couldn't have known you owned the ship. You did insist upon remaining a silent partner in the company, remember?"
"We wouldn't have any clients otherwise. You know damn well the St. James men aren't liked by the members of the ton. They're still a little rough around the cuffs." His grin told his friend he found that trait appealing.
"It's still odd to me," Colin announced, switching the topic. "You had your men follow Lady Sara-watch out for her, too-yet you never bothered to ask any of them to tell you what she looked like."
"You didn't ask any of them either," Nathan countered.
Colin shrugged. He returned his attention to the crowd below. "I suppose I thought you'd decide the contract wasn't worth the sacrifice. After all, she…" He completely lost his train of thought when he spotted his sister strolling toward them. Another woman walked by her side. "There's Becca," he said. "If the silly chit would just move a little to the left…" That remark went unfinished. Colin's indrawn breath filled the air. "Sweet Jesus… could that be Lady Sara?"