Undressed (Undone by Love) by Kristina Cook Page A

do believe he withheld that bit of information in his retelling of the encounter, didn’t you, Colin?”
    Colin only shrugged .
    “Anyway,” Jane said with a shake of her head, “do go on . I must hear more.”
    Colin rolled his eyes heavenward, not wishing to remain the topic of conversation . At the very least, he didn’t have to listen to it. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and fetch us some refreshments.”  He strode off toward the busy counter, ignoring the curious glances cast his way as he headed across the room. Best get used to it , he thought. Speculation and innuendo would likely be his constant companion from now on.
    Moments later, he made his way back through the crowd to their table .
    “Ye should see the mists rise above Ben Nevis,” Brenna was saying, and Colin heaved a sigh of relief at the shift of topic . “‘Tis the most beautiful sight in the world. When I was a lass, I was convinced ye could climb Ben Nevis, up through the veil of mist and right into heaven.”
    “How lovely,” Jane murmured.
    “Aye, and in the glen between the mountain and the loch is a circle of ancient standing stones. When ye stand in the circle, it’s almost as if ye can feel strange currents in the air. If fairies ever existed, then surely they lived there.”
    “It sounds truly magical,” Jane said . “I’ve never been to the Highlands. I’d love to travel there someday.”
    Brenna’s face lit with a smile . “If ye do, ye must come to Glenbroch. ‘Tis not the grandest of homes, more a manor house than a castle, but ye’ll not find more pleasing surroundings anywhere.”
    “I’d like that very much.”  Jane looked up, suddenly noticing Colin there, hovering over the table with a tray like a manservant . “Oh, Colin, thank you.”  She reached for a cheesecake. “Brenna was just telling me about her home.” 
    “I heard.”  He moved aside his coattails and took a seat . “And it does sound enchanting. You sound as if you are counting the days till your return.”
    “I verra much look forward to my return at the close of the Season.”  She reached for a cake and took a dainty bite .
    “So soon?” Jane asked . “But what of your family here?”
    “I’m grateful for their attentions, truly I am, and my affection for them grows daily . Yet Scotland is my home, and I hope to make them understand that. I fear they have great hopes for me, but I canna share those hopes.”
    “I suppose like every other girl’s parents, they wish to marry you off to the highest bidder,” Jane said with a frown.
    “’Tis true. They canna understand that I’ve no wish to remain here in England, shirking my duties. What they see as a burden—running Glenbroch—I see as a source of pride and joy.”
    Jane turned toward Colin with a broad smile, her eyes twinkling with pleasure . “Colin, she must meet Lucy, mustn’t she?”  She returned her attention to Brenna, laying a hand on her wrist. “The two of you will get on so well. She is as passionate as you are about her own interests—veterinary arts, if you can believe it.”
    “She sounds like a fascinating woman,” Brenna murmured, then took a sip of creamy syllabub .
    Colin nodded, then quirked a brow . “Lucy is nothing if not fascinating.” 
    Jane nodded her agreement . “So you manage Glenbroch yourself?”
    “With the help of an excellent land steward . He’s been with our family for many years, and I trust him wholeheartedly.”
    Colin sat forward in his seat, brushing crumbs from his lapel . “Tell me, are your tenant farms faring well? Or have you considered clearing the land for sheep?” 
    Judging by the way her eyes began to flash, Colin realized he’d misspoken .
    “I suppose ye think the land clearances a fine idea . More sheep mean more money, dinna they?”
    “I suppose. I haven’t really considered—” 
    “And what do ye suppose happens to the crofters once they are forced from their land?”
    “I confess, I