“Promise.”
Regan noted he avoided looking her way. He gave his daughter a kiss on the forehead. “Sleep well.”
Regan gave her a kiss, too, and after he doused her lamp, the two adults left her to her dreams.
Without a word, he headed back to his study, but Regan decided enough was enough. He’d talk to her whether he wanted to or not. With that in mind, she knocked on the closed study door. Without allowing him the opportunity to turn her away, she walked in.
He looked up, perturbed.
“Our bath?” she asked.
“Tell me about Levi Spalding.”
She drew in a calming breath. “He was the man I gave my innocence to.”
Jaw hard, he studied her for a silent moment. “And you did all the things we did together—with him?”
“No. Nor did I know until this afternoon that he was married at the time. Either way, I told you about him.”
“You did, but putting an actual face to the man—it’s different.”
“How?”
“It just is.”
“You were distant even before you knew what the man meant to me.”
He paused.
“I tell you the truth, I find out Levi used me terribly, and you have the gall to have your nose out of joint? Fine. My apologies for being truthful and for disturbing you. Enjoy your journal.” She stormed out. She dearly wanted to slam the door but it would’ve alarmed Anna so she didn’t.
Colt blew out a breath. Wondering when he’d lost the upper hand and feeling properly chastised, he felt frustrated, angry, and ashamed. From the moment he’d learned she and the soldier knew each other he’d sensed she was disturbed, but he’d been too busy wallowing in his own jealousy to consider asking why. He hadn’t liked the idea of her even knowing the soldier, and now, finding out they’d been intimate made him see red. He didn’t want to imagine her with someone else. That the man was not of the race was of no consequence. The simple fact that Spalding had been her first was all Colt cared about and it made him want to find the soldier and punch him in the face. He ran his hands down his own face. Regan Carmichael Lee was making him lose his damn mind. This wasn’t a love match, so why was he so upset? By all rights, he owed her an apology. Knowing her the way he did, she’d undoubtedly given Spalding her heart and soul, and to find out today, years later, the man was married had to be devastating. And yet, he, her husband, had placed his injured pride above her feelings. He’d gutted their agreed upon pact in less than twenty-four hours. If she never smiled at him again, it would be too soon. He wanted to make this right, because like Anna, he didn’t want her to leave.
Colt rose to his feet. He needed someone’s counsel. Remembering Regan’s concern the morning he left the house without informing her, he penned a quick note and slipped it beneath her bedroom door. Outside, after saddling his horse, he rode off to see the only person he might be able to talk to about the mess he’d made.
When Spring answered his knock, she asked with concern, “Has something happened? Are Anna and Regan okay?”
He nodded. “They’re fine. I need to speak with you.” He could tell she was wondering why he’d sought her out at this hour, but she stepped back to let him enter.
“Sit,” she said, gesturing to a chair in the parlor. “What brings the illustrious doctor to the door of his disreputable baby sister?”
He blew out a breath and explained.
When he was done, she shook her head. “Poor Regan. She must’ve been very hurt to find out her trust in that man meant nothing. As for you. She told you the truth. Did you want her to lie to you about who he was?”
“No. I wanted the truth, or thought I did.”
“You owe her an apology, Colton.”
“I know. But will it be enough?”
She shrugged. “Depends on how low you grovel.”
“I don’t grovel, Spring.”
“You may need to learn.”
He looked away. “I’m not one for second-guessing myself. I never had to do that with Adele, but Regan...” His words faded into silence. In his mind’s eye, he could still see her furious face as she’d swept out of his study.