Page 8 of Regency in Color

“Why would I be important enough to be a topic of conversation for Lady Eleanor and her friends? What did she say?”

Colin uncomfortably shifted his stance and slid a hand beneath the lapel of his coat. “She called you an OBA. It means ‘ordinary ball companion.’ Someone she can keep nearby at social functions to make herself look better in comparison. She said you were her ‘infallible plan to gain a husband.’”

Juliana inhaled a sharp breath. The depths of human cruelty would never cease to shock and appall her.

“Thank you for your honesty, Your Grace.” She hated the tremble in her voice as she spoke.

“Juliana—” He reached for her again. His hand stopped, suspended in the space between them when her wintry glare sliced through him.

“Don’t waste your concern on me. If you truly are capable of feeling such emotion on my behalf. Our last encounter left me very doubtful of that.”

“I’m very sorry,” he said so low that Juliana didn’t hear it, only saw the shape of his lips issuing the apology.

His pained expression almost made her want to accept it.

“Don’t be, my lord. You have taught me to be much more judicious when assessing the character of those with whom I chose to associate. You know, with your reckless disregard for the feelings of others, you and Lady Eleanor are made for one another. If you will excuse me, I must be going.”

Juliana hurried off, giving him no chance to respond, or see her tears fall.

* * *

Colin’s heartshattered a little more with each step Juliana took away from him. He’d hurt her yet again. As if the first time didn’t haunt him enough.

How could he make this right? Should he even try?

He was supposed to be finding a wife, not hammering more nails into the coffin of a dead love.

He needed to leave.

He needed a drink.