“Do not ask me to be quiet again.”
“I will not. I am only asking if you enjoyed yourself.”
She eyed him carefully, but there was no deception in his face.
“I did. My friends spoke highly of you, in fact. They wanted to thank you for the books again.”
“There is no need to thank me. They are gifts, and my way of showing my support.”
“Then you will be pleased to know that we have begun with the art book. Theodora is most pleased about that, and it has actually made her hold you in some form of esteem.”
Spencer grinned, clearly pleased that he had won her friend over after all. A part of Anna wished that he had not been so successful, for it did not seem fair that they had so easily forgiven him, but if they were to work on their marriage, then she was pleased that her friends would not make it difficult.
“I am pleased about that. As I told you, I think that they are good ladies. I am pleased that you have found friends in them.”
“You simply want us to be quieter.”
“Do you wish to discuss the matter or not?”
Anna rolled her eyes, but she knew he was right. She was supposed to be building their bond, not causing more disputes.She cleared her throat and took a seat across from him, wearing a polite smile.
“I heard some papers when I knocked,” she began. “Is everything alright?”
“Yes, it was some correspondence from friends of mine wondering why I have not been to our club of late.”
“Have you not? When was the last time you went?”
“Over a year ago, now. They were expecting me to go now that I have returned, of course, but I have not.”
“May I ask why?”
“You may not like the answer, but you may.”
“Is it so that you can ensure I do not do anything scandalous in your absence?”
“Not at all. Actually, it is so that I do not do anything scandalous. I do not drink often, for I do not like not having control of my actions, and when I go to my club, I am handed brandy after brandy.”
“Have you ever done something you regret after drinking?”
He seemed to think for a moment, only to laugh again, the sincerity gone.
“Many times. In spite of my size, I cannot handle my drink at all, and it has led to some nasty illnesses the day after.”
“Then why do it?”
“Connection, I suppose. I did not have any friends who did not enjoy drinking, so if I wanted any form of sociability, it meant going to my club and drinking. It also led me to know the perfect meal to take in the morning to help when I inevitably felt dreadful the following day.”
Anna laughed softly, and Spencer sent for the butler. When he arrived, he did not look at Anna like he used to. His role was to serve the Duke, not the Duchess, and Anna knew that but that did not make it hurt less.
“Two hot chocolates, please,” he asked, and the butler disappeared again.
Spencer looked back at her, and Anna knew that she was not hiding her emotions at all. He noticed her frown, and to her surprise, he seemed genuinely concerned about it.
“Did something happen with Jeffries?” he asked.
“Not exactly. I suppose it is odd to see how little he regards me now that you are home.”
“Was it not the case in my absence?”
