Leonardo (Romancing the Weavers #5) - Kit Morgan Page 0,52
since we arrived.”
“You’re right, she has.” Belle joined him, pacing in the opposite direction. “What else did Parthena say?”
“Only that Savannah hasn’t shared with her how she feels. She’s probably waiting for a good time to speak with Parthena, get her opinion of the young man. You know how Savannah won’t make a big decision without speaking to her first.”
“You’re right. Does Parthena realize that?”
Colin stopped. “I don’t think so. And if she does, she’s probably afraid Savannah will say she wants to marry Leo. The poor thing. No wonder she’s so sad.”
Belle stopped in front of him. “Oh, Colin, what are we going to do?”
He pulled her into his arms again. “What can we do? None of us knows what Savannah will decide. If they think they suit, then let them court and marry – after all, it’s why we’re here. Parthena will, I hate to say, have to get over it.”
“But how did this happen?” Belle asked. “How did she manage to fall in love?”
“How did I fall in love with you the first time I saw you get off the stage?”
She smiled. “I don’t know.”
“Neither do I. It was just there, like breathing or the beat of my heart.” He kissed her. “You still make my heart beat that way, you know.”
She ran her fingers through his hair. “I know.”
He sighed. “What to do?”
“I’m afraid it’s as you say. There’s not much we can do other than keep Parthena occupied while Leo and Savannah decide which direction to take.” She backed out of his arms and returned to her chair. “What about the Comfort brothers?”
Colin’s eyebrows shot up. “What?”
“Benedict and Peaceful …” She shook her head. “… I mean, Matt. Good heavens, I don’t think I could call him Peaceful.”
Colin nodded. Their niece Honoria had married Ben and Matt’s older brother Major Comfort. Major wasn’t his rank – their late mother just liked unusual names. “What are you thinking, wife? Don’t tell me you’re considering …”
“Not for Parthena, but maybe for Adele.”
“Adele!”
“Well, she does needs a husband. Anywhere else and she’d be the laughing stock of the town.”
“For being a spinster? Hardly.”
“No, for having that silly list of hers.”
“Oh, yes – that.” Colin sank into his chair. “She needs to burn it, or she’ll never find a beau. The angel Gabriel couldn’t meet her expectations.”
“You’re right. Are you going to tell her?”
His face fell. “I thought you already did.”
“I did. She remains unconvinced.”
Colin sat back and ran his hand through his hair. “Let’s get back to the problem at hand. How do we sooth poor Parthena’s broken heart?”
“Let’s not be too hasty,” she warned.
He sat up again. “What? But you’re the one that said she must be in love.”
“I could be wrong. Besides, what if her heart doesn’t get broken? We don’t want to overreact.”
“I am not overreac – wait. What are you saying?”
“I’m saying, what if Leo and Savannah find they don’t suit? Then the door is open for Parthena. That’s also possible.”
Colin shook his head in resignation. “That is. Well … better we stay out of it for now – there’s not a lot we can do about it until we know the details. I just hate to see our baby suffer so.”
She left her chair and went to him. “I know, but she’ll get over it.”
“Will she? I walked with her today, you know. She seemed so distant, so despondent. As if her heart was already broken.”
“No, I don’t think so. Unless he’s kissed her or something …”
“What?!” Colin made a fist and hit his palm with it. “Why, I’ll …”
“You’ll do no such thing. Frankly, I doubt Leo has either.” She went back to pacing. “But I do think one of us should chaperone Savannah and Leo from now on.”
“Good idea. The lad will have to be on his best behavior, though as you say, he probably has been. Bella has raised her brothers to be gentlemen. I’m only concerned about Parthena’s heart, not her virtue.”
She smiled. “I know, but we need to concern ourselves with Savannah as well. She needs to make a decision, and given the state Parthena’s in, I’d like to know where her heart stands toward Leo.”
“Likewise,” he said. “So we take over chaperoning?”
“Yes. You’ll speak to Leo?”
He nodded. “And you to Savannah?”
She nodded, then kissed him. “It’s settled, then.”
He looked into her eyes. “And Parthena?”
Belle’s eyes filled with sadness. “If her heart breaks, then we’ll be there for her.”
Colin nodded and kissed his wife again. Neither noticed that