“The duchess said there are other girls. Where are they?” Eleanor asked.
“Let’s find out,” Anne said. “First one to find an adult wins an extra sliceof cake at supper.”
Indira squinted her blue eyes. “You’rean adult.”
“I mean someone who might know where the other girls are. Now, scoot.”
The girls raced off, with Indira running up to the third-floor bedrooms, and Eleanor skipping down the hallway.
Stripes of sunlight broke into the ballroom from the French doors leading to the terrace. The same terrace where she had released Drake from his perceived obligation toward her and freed him to pursue Honoria. Sucking in a breath, she pushed the unpleasant memory aside and wandered across the ballroom. She interrupted her trajectory with a few graceful twirls of her own. Her half-boots created several more scuffs, and she pressed her lips together to withhold a giggle at her blatant disregard of the reprimand she’d just given the girls.
Scents of jasmine and honeysuckle wafted in on the warm breeze when she opened the doors. With another deep breath, she filled her lungs with the fragrance and strode forward.
Like the rooms she’d peered into earlier, the terrace and surrounding gardens also appeared deserted.
Where was everyone?
Ready to turn around and go back inside, Anne stopped when movement from below the terrace caught her attention. The top of a head poked over a high-backed chair, and sunlight gleamed on the occupant’s red hair.
An extra piece of cake awaited in her future.
Careful not to make a noise, she padded down the terrace’s stone steps. She’d always enjoyed sneaking up on Andrew, and if she scared him...it would serve him right for forcing the subject of marriage.
Mere feet from him, Anne clapped her hands as loud as she could. “There you are! Don’t think you can hide from me!”
Andrew’s hands flew out to the sides, and he rose from the chair.
Something was . . . off. Had Andrew grown half a foot?
He turned, the handsome, scowling face—not Andrew’s.
CHAPTER 3
Directly below the terrace, Colin had been enjoying the peace and quiet he’d wished for during the carriage ride. He’d found a spot nestled right next to the stairs leading to the garden. The fragrant summer blooms, a delightful gentle breeze, and the warm sun on his face provided the perfect ingredients for some well-earned and well-deserved solitude.
Eyelids growing heavy, he followed the siren call of slumber. Until a feminine voice disturbed his serene contentment and pulled him from blessed oblivion.
“There you are! Don’t think you can hide from me!”
His body reacted before his mind had caught up, his arms flung out in defense as he bolted from his comfortable seat and turned toward the intruder.
Who the devil?
A petite redhead staggered back, her blue eyes flaring with surprise and her mouth gaping in a littleO.Freckles—in stark relief against her pale skin—dotted her face, especially the bridge of her nose. Her foot caught against an uneven pavement stone on the path, and she landed on her arse with a flourish.
Served her right. Colin fought a laugh.
Pretty, but not beautiful in the classical sense like Margery had been in her bloom, the sprite of a girl stared at him. No, not a girl. Woman. Deep furrows creased the nymph’s brow.
“Well, don’t just stand there like a lump, sir. Help me up.”
Colin shook himself. Where were his manners? The elfin creature had momentarily addled his brain. Perhaps she was a witch.
He held out a hand, cursing himself for not wearing gloves. Of course, in fairness, he hadn’t expected to be conversing with a strange woman and helping her up from off her?—
The laugh he’d held back unfurled from deep within his chest and broke free.
Warm flesh met his, her gloveless fingers sliding against his palm. An electric hum traveled up his arm from the casual touch and made his throat go dry.
