What the devil was wrong with the woman?

Colin Fordyce, newly invested fifth Earl of Bruxton, watched the young servant waver, then stumble back into the wall of the old stone tower, her basket slipping from her fingers. It was as if she'd been utterly shocked to hear his name. Afraid she'd collapse completely and do herself harm, he spurred Jupiter into motion, setting him across a wooden bridge that had certainly seen better days.

"No," she cried, holding up a hand as ...