“And what is the purpose of this tea?” It was taking every measure of his strength to ask that question without raising his voice.
Mason sniffled and wiped her tears. “It is to prevent her from being with child.”
He had to grip the back of the chair properly to keep standing. Every pain Anna had felt, every time she had blamed herself for her inability to give him a child… It had all been a lie? She was being poisoned? He closed his eyes and breathed again.
“Do you truly not know where she is?” he asked.
“She might have gone to her mother.”
Colin was already turning on his heels. “Do not allow her to leave the manor. Chalker, have a carriage prepared and a horse saddled. I am going to London.” He darted up to his bedchamber and changed his clothes without Bishop’s assistance, not bothering to shave. Now that he might know where she was, he was acting without feeling.
When he returned to the great hall and was walking toward the open doors, he heard Mrs. Willis call him. He turned to face her and she gave him Anna’s journal.
“She left this, Your Grace. You might find something within to aid in your search.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Willis.”
“Godspeed.”
He went to his saddled horse and mounted, taking the road to London. He had to slow his horse at some points through the journey, and when he did, he pulled out Anna’s journal and read.
Horror and pain warred for dominion inside him as he discovered the true reason she had left him. Her letter had been quite cryptic. The poison and the lies her mother had told her made her believe she did not deserve him, that she could never make him happy unless she gave him a child.
Colin did not want a child! If this was the price he had to pay, he would rather just find Anna and live the rest of his life just with her. She was his life, his entire existence, and he was sure he could not live without her.
He arrived at the Hampton residence after sunset, and instead of knocking with civility, he pounded on the door. The butler opened, confused.
“Annelise, where is she?” he asked.
“She is not here.”
Colin pushed past him into the house. “Hampton?” he called.
“His Lordship is not in town,” the butler informed him. “Her Ladyship, too.”
“Where are they?”
“I do not know.”
“Someone had better,” Colin swore, striding out, “or there will be hell.”
Chapter 36
Dear Anna,
Forgive me for not writing to you after all this while. I did not know what to say, and worse, I did not know if you would believe me. Everything I did was so you could grow into a good woman, and as I have no heir, you and Catherine represent my legacy.
I was wrong, and I beg your forgiveness. I hope you will give me the chance to be your father again.
Yours,
Elliot Hampton.
Anna sat up and pushed her hair from her face, the room undulating. She had been in Bath for a week, and she had been feeling poorly since she arrived. As for her heart and her emotions… Well, she was in more pain than she imagined.
Her mother had told her that she would feel better and better every morning, but Anna had the notion that she was dying. She slumped back onto her pillows and sighed, her tears blurring her vision.
Her mother walked into her bedchamber at that moment, saying, “Anna, my darling, it is a beautiful day for us to promenade the city.” She stopped at the foot of the bed. “Oh, dear! Are you well?”
