“Leave now, Darpley,” Nathaniel said as Colin returned to Anna, taking her in his arms.
“I am sorry, Anna.” His voice was strained, she could feel every part of his body hard and stiff.
“I was only going to apologize,” Hunter insisted, and Nathaniel took his arm, pulling him away.
“I am taking you home now.” Colin scooped her into his arms and marched out of the manor. She clung to him, and even when they were in the carriage, she rested against him, seeking the comfort that only he could give her. The encounter with Hunter brought many unsavory memories to the fore.
“I will make certain he does not come to Hertfordshire again,” Colin whispered, holding her tightly. “I promise.”
Anna nodded, but she did not feel any relief until they returned to Dawnton. Colin carried her up to their bedchamber, which was formerly his, and laid her on the bed, kissing her temple. Then he crossed the room to pour some liquor into a glass.
He returned to the bed and sat beside her. “Have some of this. It will make you feel better.” He touched the glass to her lips, and she took a small sip, wincing when it stung her throat as she swallowed. The brandy’s warmth spread through her, and she accepted another sip, and another, until she had finished the contents of the glass.
“Thank you, Colin.” Anna wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I will always have you, darling. Always.” He buried his face in her neck, a shaky breath coming from him. In grappling with her fear, she had forgotten that he would be unsettled by what had occurred too. She ran her fingers through his hair, and they sat in each other’s arms for a very long while.
He drew back and kissed her lips. “You should have some rest. I will ring for Mason to bring you some tea.”
Anna caught his arm when he started to rise from the bed. “I do not want tea. I only want you.”
Nodding, he removed his boots and coat, and set them aside, then slipped her shoes from her feet and climbed onto the bed, pulling her close. Anna closed her eyes and nestled into his embrace, wondering where she would be without him.
Nathaniel walked into Colin’s study very early the following morning, his expression grave. “Colin, I came to apologize again,” he said, standing rigidly in the middle of the room.
Colin waved him forward. “You do not have to apologize, Nathaniel. What happened was more my fault than yours. If I had told you about our disagreement with Darpley, you would not have invited him.” He had barely slept the night before, thinking he had failed to protect Anna by being secretive.
The first thing he had done that morning was write to Darpley to give him a first and final warning. If Colin ever saw him in Hertfordshire again, there would be a consequence. He was not sure what the consequence would be but he had promised to take action.
Nathaniel came to sit near his desk. “What happened?”
Colin considered what to tell him. “Lord and Lady Hampton wanted Anna to marry him, and she refused. Naturally, he was unhappy.” That was all Colin was going to say about this. Anna could share the full tale if she wished.
Nathaniel nodded slowly. “Now I understand your hasty wedding. I should apologize to Anna too.”
“Since you are so fond of apologizing, by all means,” Colin quipped. “But you may have to return later because she is not awake.”
No sooner had he uttered that than a knock sounded at the door. It opened and Anna stepped into the room. Colin rose, his heart slowing and beating faster all at once. It was an impossible thing to feel, yet he felt it. She wore a white dress this morning, and although he loved green more on her, this stole his breath.
Her raven hair was in a simple knot at her nape, and a very slim gold chain circled the delicate neck he loved to brush his lips against. Her soft dark eyes moved across the room, settling on Colin briefly before they moved away again, but it was long enough for him to be drawn into their arousing depths.
“Nathaniel,” she smiled at him, “I was not expecting to see you this early.”
“I had to be early to apologize.” Nathaniel bowed.
“Oh, truly, that is not necessary. I have already forgotten all about it.” She glanced at Colin, and he saw that she had all but forgotten about the incident. Like him, her slumber had been fitful. “Would you like to join us for breakfast?” she asked Nathaniel. “I came to fetch Colin, and since you are here, I will insist you join us.”
“Believe me, Anna,” Nathaniel laughed, “you do not have to insist.”
Colin went around his desk to meet Anna, and he gave Nathaniel a look that he understood immediately and stood.
“I shall go to the dining room now,” he announced and walked to the door.
As soon as it closed, Colin drew Anna into his arms. He had formed the habit of kissing her the moment he saw her, especially in the mornings. Now, he kissed her a little too passionately, and she seemed to want more, because she pressed her body into his, and tugged at his neckcloth.
His body was immediately hard with desire, and he did not think he could walk out of this room right now. He cupped her posterior and pulled her even closer so she could feel what she did to him. What she will always do to him.
“Colin,” she whispered the softest plea against his mouth. “I need you.”
