Nathaniel cleared his throat. “Forgive me, but I cannot help but think there is some ill feeling between my guests. The aim of this evening was to welcome Anna to my home and also convince my dearest friend to invest in my venture.” His gaze was direct and on Hunter. “Lord Darpley?”
Hunter stood and bowed to Anna and Colin. “I beg your pardon.” Then he looked at Nathaniel. “I fear I have been dishonest with you, Sir Nathaniel. All is not as it seems with Their Graces and me. We had a disagreement in the past, you see. One that cannot be resolved, I am afraid. It would be better if I removed myself from their presence. I bid you all a good night.” He swiftly turned on his heel and walked out.
“Please, excuse me.” Nathaniel shot to his feet and followed Hunter.
Colin turned to her. “Anna, how are you?”
“I must admit that I am feeling better now that he is gone.” She touched his shoulder. “I still do not want us to leave.”
“We will do as you want, darling.” He leaned and kissed her cheek, lingering and moving his lips down to her jaw. The kiss was both comforting and arousing, and seeing as they were alone in the dining room, she took hold of his coat lapels and drew him even closer, her eyes fluttering shut.
Colin caressed her back slowly, trailing kisses along her jaw and down her neck. A bloom unfurled in her heart, and she loved him even more at that moment. Moving, she brought her lips to his, and the passion between them started to make her forget her manners. Colin seemed to forget, too, but Nathaniel’s footfalls as he was returning broke them apart, and they straightened in their seats.
“Forgive me, please,” he said, retaking his seat. “I did not know you are not on good terms with him. I wish you told me that before tonight, Colin.”
“Yes, I should have,” Colin sighed, “and I regret it.”
“I hope you are more comfortable now, Anna,” Nathaniel said to her.
“I am. Thank you, Nathaniel.”
“I have informed him that I will no longer accept his investment,” he continued.
Colin shook his head. “He has more wealth than I do. You will benefit from his investment. Please do not allow me to stand in your way.”
“Nonsense! My friendships are of more value to me than business.” Nathaniel looked from Anna to Colin.
They all smiled at each other, and they settled to eat. Anna was sure that Nathaniel was curious about the cause of the ill feelings between them and Hunter, but he did not have to know. As long as Hunter remained far away from them, all shall be well.
After dinner, Anna excused herself to find the retiring room, after drinking a little too much, leaving Colin and Nathaniel in the drawing room. She admired the paintings on the walls as she passed them, pausing in front of one of a woman atop a horse with children dancing around her.
Both the woman and the three children looked happy, and she thought of how happy she could be if she was surrounded by her and Colin’s children. This painting was showing her what she could have. It could also be what she could never have.
Anna’s chest began to tighten, and her throat burned with the force of her rising emotions. She decided that it was better to not dwell upon her troubles at this moment, and she turned to leave. As she took the first step away, a hand roughly circled her wrist and yanked her back. Fear and surprise staggered her mind.
“You thought you could shame me, did you not?” Hunter growled.
Chapter 27
I can feel Colin’s affection for me growing, and although I love him more than anything in the world and wish to tell him every second of the day, I want to give him more. He deserves more.
Anna tried to free her wrist from Hunter’s grasp but his hold only tightened. “Be still,” he ordered. “I only need to speak to you.”
“By accosting me?” she demanded, her frantic heart beating faster.
“You know everything your father and I did was to ensure you are proper and polite. I want you to tell your husband that I mean no harm, and—"
“How dare you!” Colin bellowed from the end of the hallway, swiftly closing the space between them and grabbing Hunter’s coat lapels, throwing him onto the floor. Then he rushed to Anna, taking her hands. “Tell me what happened.”
Anna only then realized that she was trembling. “I…he found me here and wants to talk to me.”
Hunter was gaining his feet when Colin turned to him, clutching his shoulders and pinning him against the wall. “Why did you return?”
“I only wanted to apologize,” Hunter claimed.
“I saw you holding her!”
Nathaniel joined them and pulled both men apart before Colin’s temper grew worse. Anna wrapped her arms around herself, feeling faint and afraid. It had been long since she felt this way, and it disgusted her.
