“Yes, you may. Dawnton is not just my home but yours, too.”
“Oh, Colin!” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “Thank you!”
“You do not have to thank me, Anna.” His arms came around her waist.
“I have one more thing to ask.”
He laughed. “Of course, you do. Why did I think you only had one request?”
“May I have another companion?” Anna was sure he would agree to this request, too. True to his word, every rule he had made for her had been abolished, and he no longer complained when she interrupted his work.
“Person or creature?” he asked.
“Creature.”
“Dog?” He raised one brow, and she nodded. “And do you have a particular breed in mind?” Anna nodded again. “Very well. I shall make the arrangements. Is there anything else?”
“No, that will be all.” She slipped out of his arms and started toward the door.
“Is this how you will leave me?” he called after her, and she looked over her shoulder to grin at him.
“I have a ball to plan and a mother to invite.”
Dear Mama,
Colin and I will be very happy if you joined us at Dawnton Hall for Christmas. Catherine is helping me plan a ball, and I hope you will find pleasure in helping me, too.
I still write every day in my diary, and I was wondering if you can find my old journals and bring them to me. I left them in the bottom drawer of the bureau in my bedchamber. I hope you can find them.
I am looking forward to seeing you, Mama.
Yours truly,
Anna
Anna clutched Colin’s hand as they stood on the marble steps in front of the manor, while a carriage stopped in front of them. She had asked him to welcome her mother with her and he agreed.
Jemina climbed down and Anna took a tentative step forward. She felt Colin’s hand on the small of her back, and he gave her an encouraging nudge. “My dear Anna.” Her mother opened her arms to embrace her.
At first, it was an awkward hug, but then Anna felt her mother’s warmth and leaned into her. Although she did not often receive it, it was a familiar warmth. They were starting anew, and Anna hoped she would have her mother the way she never did before.
“You have changed, my dear,” Jemina said, holding Anna’s cheeks. “My, I think you have grown taller.”
“Impossible,” Anna laughed as Colin descended the steps to join them.
“Welcome, Lady Hampton,” he greeted, taking the hand she offered and placing a brief kiss on her knuckles.
“Thank you for having me, Your Grace.”
Catherine joined them then, and Anna’s heart swelled. Her eyes met Colin’s and she looked away, her breath catching. It was almost unfair how she was receiving everything she wanted but he was not. She sought to distract herself from that unpleasant thought by leading her mother into the manor and showing her about.
She introduced her to the butler, housekeeper, and her lady’s maid.
“Have you read your Papa’s letter?” her mother asked her after Anna had shown her to her bedchamber. She had chosen one of the guest rooms that faced the garden for her.
“Not yet.”
“Why not, my dear?” Jemina removed her gloves and sat on the sofa in front of the fire, patting the place beside her for Anna to sit.
