Colin shook his head. He had said those words and meant them until a month ago. “Kate wishes to marry here.”
Hart nodded. “And you can’t refuse her anything, can you?”
“No.”
“She knows what happened. Why would she insist on having the wedding here?”
Colin jumped off his horse and took the reins. Slowly he walked along the knoll with Hart following him. “She has no desire to marry in town.”
“You have three other estates at which she could marry.” Hart stopped for a moment. “There’s more, isn’t there?”
“She believes having a happy memory here will help me get over Mary’s death.”
Hart shrugged. “Perhaps it will.”
“Highly unlikely.” He stopped, picked up a rock, and
hurled it down the hill.
“How is she? It’s been months since I’ve seen her.”
“She is in love. Nothing could make her unhappy now,” Colin said in a sarcastic tone.
Hart laughed. “Love isn’t such a terrible thing, North.”
Colin glared over at his childhood friend. “Love is nothing but pain and agony.”
“So when does the happy bride arrive?”
“She and her mother will arrive in a month. I believe they wish to refurbish the house so it is in perfect condition for the wedding guests.”
“Is there that much to do?” Hart asked with a frown.
“The house is a disaster,” Colin admitted. “The roof leaks, the wallpaper is falling down, and the garden’s overgrown. It will cost me a fortune to get this house up to snuff for a wedding.”
“True, but at least once it’s done the house will be ready for you to live in again.” Hart paused for a moment. “It would be pleasant to have a neighbor out here again . . . even if it is you.” He let out an easy laugh. “After all, Middleton is rarely at his home. I feel as if I’m the only one who enjoys country life.”
Colin shook his head. “Once the vows are said, I will leave. And I won’t be back.”
“You have a responsibility to your estate, North,” Hart said quietly.
“Do not attempt to tell me how to manage my estates or my duty. I performed my duty and look where it got me. Thomas or his son can inherit this bloody house and the memories that go with it.”
Colin picked up another rock and heaved it down the hill. This would be the longest two months of his life. He just wanted this wedding done now so he could return to London. Why hadn’t he disregarded Kate’s wishes? She and her mother could have hired all the help they needed without his assistance. But he’d never been able to ignore Kate’s pleas to assist them. She’d told him she didn’t feel comfortable making changes to his home without his permission.
He could do this. It was only for two months. He closed his eyes for a quick moment only to see Miss White again. Why couldn’t he forget her today?
“Who do you think was the first tenant to greet me?” Colin asked as frustration rolled through his body. He wasn’t about to tell Hart the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“I have no idea.”
“Miss White.”
Hart glanced back at the house. “But North, she’s not the same woman. That was—”
“Her mother. I realize that.” Colin blew out a long breath. “But it changes nothing. I’m tired of these women believing they are the reason our lands are fertile. That they are the cause of our wealth. They actually believe they know more than the physicians and surgeons.”
Hart shrugged and glanced away. “Perhaps they do.”