“I…” Anna rose, and she did not quite meet his gaze. “Nothing.”
He should have known her curiosity would grow. Her interest rose every time he tried to hide something from her. Glancing down, he found a hairpin in her hand. “That is a lovely hairpin.”
“This old thing?” she chuckled, her cheeks taking a delightful flush. “It broke, you see.” She looked down. “Ah, there is the piece I was looking for.”
He almost smiled. It was interesting how she thought she could fool him. He might know little about hairpins but he knew the pins in her hand were two different kinds. He stepped toward her, and she clutched them tighter.
“Perhaps I can repair it for you,” he offered, holding his hand out.
“Oh, you should not trouble yourself with something so trivial.” She gave an airy smile. “I was going to take a nap before dinner.”
Colin felt his brows furrow, and he removed the watch from his pocket to check the time. Anna did not take naps, especially not when she was expecting her sister to arrive at any moment. When he looked back up at her, he thought she looked tired and paler than usual. “Lady Darpley is arriving today.”
Her eyes rounded and she raised a hand to her mouth. “Catherine! Oh, I forgot!”
Colin had also noticed how easily disoriented she had been in the past few days. He tucked the watch back and took her face in his hands.
“Anna, are you well?”
“I think so,” she sighed, closing her pretty eyes when he stroked her cheeks. “I have been feeling tired.”
“Should I send for Dr. Quentin?”
“Oh, no. I doubt this is important enough to summon him.” She smiled up at Colin. He was not convinced.
“Perhaps you should take that nap.” He took her hand to lead her to her bedchamber. “I will have the physician called.”
“Colin, we needn’t disturb—"
“He will be compensated handsomely for the disturbance, I assure you.” He stopped and pulled her close. “Your well-being is important to me. Do you know that?”
She nodded solemnly, and he kissed her softly, hoping he was not the cause of her stress. He had kept her occupied nearly every night, and even though he ensured she slept well through the mornings, he feared she was still not getting enough rest.
He heard footsteps and pulled away from her but kept her in his arms. Bishop appeared at the end of the hall and walked toward them, bowing when he stopped. “Your Graces, the Countess of Darpley has arrived.”
“Oh, Catherine!” Anna brightened immediately and slipped out of his arms, hurrying down the hall. With a nod in Bishop’s direction, Colin followed her.
“Anna, wait!” he called, catching up to her at the top of the stairs that led to the great hall. He crooked his elbow and offered it to her. “I do not want you to wear yourself out.”
She grinned. “I am quite full of energy now.” Then she took his arm. “And thank you for reminding me to mind my manners. I sometimes forget I am no longer Miss Hampton, and I cannot run about like an eager schoolgirl.”
He chuckled and began to lead her down the stairs. She glanced at him, raising her chin regally.
“I must carry myself with poise and grace.”
Colin leaned close to her, his nostrils flaring when he caught her sweet musky scent. “You are permitted to run about the manor. How else can you keep up with that nameless cat of yours?”
She laughed. “I am still trying to find him a name.”
“You would have by now if you weren’t insisting on a perfect name,” he pointed out.
“He is a perfect cat and must have the best.”
“That opinion is subjective. Bishop found fur all over the coat he laid out for me this morning.”
Anna leaned against his shoulder. “He values his repose. Surely, you are not blaming the poor creature for making your coat his bed.”
They walked into the drawing room laughing, but Anna’s hand slipped from his arm the instant she saw her sister, and she rushed to embrace Lady Darpley. Colin felt somewhat bereft but he quickly pushed the feeling away and observed the sisters’ interaction.
