A silence settled, and Spencer wondered if he should have said something, but he knew it would have only made things worse again. It was clear that the two ladies did not want to talk to him at that moment, and he could hardly blame them for that. He was simply pleased that he had been correct in his assumptions and that Anna would hold no ill will toward his sister.
“So, tell me about yourself,” Sophia continued. “Who has managed to stomach my half-brother for this long?”
“Well, my name is Anna,” she chuckled. “You are to call me that, of course. I like to read, I take my role as duchess with the utmost sincerity, and I am partial to horseback riding.”
“As am I! I lived on a farm before, and the horses were my favorite part of it. I think they are the most beautiful creatures.”
“Then perhaps we might do so tomorrow? I am certain that my husband would not mind caring for his nephew for a short while.”
Spencer did mind, in truth, for he was meant to see Alexander that morning, but he could make it work. What was most important to him was that his wife and his sister were comfortable with their new arrangements, which meant the possibility of plans changing.
“Consider it done,” he agreed. “He and I can read for a while. He could also assist me with my ledgers, for I need some help there.”
The child babbled happily, and the three adults laughed. Sophia took him in her arms and sighed, rising to leave.
“This has been lovely,” she said softly, looking at Spencer. “I do mean that.”
“I am pleased. I only want you to be happy, Sophia, and if this is where you are happiest, it is what will be done.”
“I know. Perhaps it was the family pride and stubbornness clouding my judgment. In any case, the journey was long, and I would like to go to my room. Will Gilbert be with me?”
“He can,” Anna explained, “if you would like to keep him close. However, we do have the nursery prepared for him, if that is what you would prefer.”
Sophia’s eyes sparkled at the thought of two rooms—a luxury after her tiny northern cottage.
“I could not possibly–”
“I know,” Anna nodded. “The Madden stubbornness and pride. Even so, it is what I want to do for you, so I hope that you accept it.”
Albeit reluctantly, Sophia did. Thanking them quietly, she raced away with a servant.
“I know that she is not the most gentle,” Spencer began.
“I do not blame her. I need not know what she has been through to know that she needed to develop a hard exterior. I understand that she might not be best pleased to see me.”
“Is that because you feel that way about her? I shall not tell her, Anna, but I do want you to be honest with me.”
“In the same way that you were?” she asked, taking a steady breath. “My apologies. Forget that I said that, for you have at least told me now.”
“I can explain, Anna.”
“I do not want you to,” she replied simply. “Not yet, at least. I wish to adjust myself to our new situation, and then I will be ready to listen. For now, it is best that we think of our guests.”
“But you do not hate her?”
“Of course not. I do not hate either of you, for what it is worth. The ladies will be astounded by all of this, but that is not what matters. They will come to accept her, too, if she stays here in London.”
“I told her that, but I do not think that she wants to. She is afraid of what they will all say about the Duke’s blind and illegitimate sister. I do fear for her, because here there is scandal, but there is no place for a child. She cannot cope with him alone.”
He understood that he was explaining himself again, which Anna did not want, but he could not help himself. He wanted her to know that he had not left in order to escape her. That had never been the case. She moved so that she was sitting beside him, her head on his shoulder.
There was an ease in how they were, as if he had never been away at all, and he wondered just how she did it; how she was able to so easily act as though nothing had gone awry.
“I shall see what I can do. It is one thing for a brother to say that a lady will be fine, and another entirely for a fellow lady to say it. I will not allow any harm to come to her. I hope you know that.”
“I do,” he replied, kissing the top of her head without thinking. “In time, she will come to know it too.”
“Shall they want dinner?” she asked, pulling away and standing. “The staff are aware that they are here, of course, but if there is anything that they do not like, I would like for them to know sooner rather than later, so that we do not make them uncomfortable.”
