Ashden followed and sat in the rear-facing seat, looking quite comfortable, while she sat with her back straight and her stomach turning unpleasantly. The first half of the journey was made in silence, but she felt Ashden’s eyes on her, and endeavored to look anywhere but at him.
When that became impossible and their eyes met, he did not have the decency to look away. As a matter of fact, he was makingherfeel guilty for catching him staring at her. “Why do you examine me so?” she asked, then added before he could respond, “Are you looking to find more faults to ensure that you made the right decision?”
“No,” he replied simply and reached to pull a gold watch from his pocket to check the time. Then his gaze returned to her, caressing her skin. Anna resisted the urge to flush but failed.
“Do you find pleasure in disconcerting me, Ashden?” she demanded, growing annoyed.
“No.” He turned to look out the window.
“Are your answers always this concise?”
“Yes.”
Anna shook her head and turned to look out the window at the vast fields of buttercups and small undulating green hills.
“May I ask why you thought I would make for a good husband?” he asked at length. “You do not know me.”
“I knew you were curious,” she jested, biting a smile. He raised one eyebrow, prompting her to answer the question. “I inquired about your character and found sufficient information.”
“From whom did you inquire?”
“Your servants,” she replied. “Society’s opinion of you is filled with fluff and luster because of your wealth and rank, but a servant’s – not so much. If you are unkind, they will see it, and although some would ignore it, many would flee to seek better situations.”
His eyes flared. “Are you fleeing something?”
Someone,she silently corrected, but it did not matter now, and Anna gave a slight shake of her head. “I did not ask your servants directly,” she explained, interpreting the questioning glint in his eyes. For a man whose countenance was very like stone, he had expressive eyes. It would seem they spoke for him. “I asked my father’s servants to ask yours.”
“What a chain of revelation. Have you considered that the information they gave you might be inaccurate?”
Anna smiled in earnest, recalling how he had insisted she ate that morning by serving her. “I saw proof.”
“Which is?” Ashden tilted his head.
“You could have sent me away in the storm.” He began to speak to counter her words but she raised a hand. “You cannot convince me otherwise, Your Grace.”
He chuckled but the sound lacked mirth. “I must admit that you have surprised me on more than one count since I made your acquaintance. I thought you would be angry with me for declining your offer.”
“I was, but I must be fair in my judgment. I was reckless, and you had no obligation to consider my proposal.”
He watched her for a moment longer, and she felt the urge to shift under his gaze for how responsive her body was becoming. A soft throb emerged between her legs, and she sucked in her bottom lip, staring down at her hands that lay on her lap.
A question came to her, and Anna knew she might not like the answer but their conversation was distracting her from her dread, and she sought to keep it going. “What manner of woman are you looking for to marry?” When he did not answer immediately, she added, “I am curious. After all, news of your search has been going around since the start of the season, and we are now moving toward the end of it. You must have particular requirements.”
“You are quite perceptive,” he murmured, the corner of his tempting mouth slanting upward slyly.
“Well, I am fond of observing people.”
“I am not marrying for love, Miss Hampton,” he said.
“Yes, that much is evident.” She waited for him to continue, and when he did not, asked her question again.
Ashden removed his watch from his waistcoat again and examined it before glancing out the window. “We are almost there.” He was not going to answer, and she wondered if his refusal was an attempt to spare her sensibilities.
The next half hour was as silent as the first part of their journey had been, but Anna stole glances at him now, wondering what occupied his thoughts at this very moment.
“Now,youare watching me,” he remarked.
“Should I not?” she challenged, holding his gaze.
