She recoiled from the ice in his statement. How could one not know who they were? Eager to dispel the foreboding inching across her mind, she searched his face for telltale signs he’d meant it as a jest. But no mischievous glint lit his eyes, no crinkling around the corners, no slight upturn of lips.
What she’d learned of him thus far could barely fill a thimble, but one thing she did know for certain was that Colin Bell, Viscount Manning, strove to be the person everyone else expected him to be. He promised to be a good husband to her. He clearly wished to be a devoted father to his children. A loving brother to Honoria. A dutiful son to his father. Nothing about whathewanted for himself. What a burden that must be.
Did her own perception of him as a grump lead him to fulfill that image as well? The idea was too awful to bear. Her feelings regarding her new husband shifted, and she viewed him through a new lens. Her heart ached for him and his struggle to be everything for everyone but himself. Not to know the freedom of just being yourself. Oh, her poor Colin.
Resolved to let the matter rest for the time being, Anne left him to his dark thoughts and engaged the girls in conversation about her new home.
“You will love it,Anne,” Cassie said.
“I understand there is a secret passageway.” Anne cast a sideways glance at Colin, but he remained unresponsive.
Ellie’s lips pursed in an adorable pout. “Yes, but Father doesn’t allow us to go in there. He says it’s not safe.”
“It’s not.” Colin snapped the words.
For a brief moment, Anne expected Colin’s stern expression to falter and break into one of teasing as he had when she witnessed him ‘reprimanding’ Cassie for her part in their entrapment within the service closet. But instead, both girls jumped at his tone, their eyes widening in true fear.
However, she refused to let the matter rest. “What’s not safe about it?”
He turned toward her, his glare frosting her even in the warm carriage compartment. “Many things. And I would advise you not to allow your curiosity to get the better of you and discover for yourself. I can’t always be around to save your life.”
“You’re exaggerating.” Anne huffed.
A dark auburn eyebrow lifted. “Am I?”
“Don’t worry, Anne,” Cassie said. “There are a lot of other fun places to go. We’ll show you.”
And although Anne did her best to listen while the girls told her about the gardens, the stables, and the music room, all she could think of was exploring that secret passageway.
Unlike the journey from London to Hartridge House, the trip to Blackthorne Manor was blessedly brief, and they arrived mid-afternoon.
At the end of a long pathway, the carriage came to a halt. Anne peered out the window at her new home. Ivy crawled up one side of the three-storied building and nearly covered one of the windows, providing a perfect place for someone to peer out and remain unseen. Mullioned windows and an arched entry drew her gaze skyward, where she imagined ravens perched atop the pointed roof peaks and watched with unblinking eyes.
Blackthorne Manor met every criterion of a gothic castle, save one. Rather than the disrepair one would expect, the building and grounds were neatly maintained. Clusters of colorful blooms nestledagainst the brown stone walls of the house. Windows sparkled. Freshly scythed, the lawn lay like a green carpet before the house.
With no time to write and alert the staff of their premature return, no line of servants waited at the front to greet them. Instead, one man stepped out of the front door. Moments later, more of the staff joined him.
A footman raced up to lower the steps of the carriage.
Colin exited first, then held out his hand to Anne. At least his grumpiness seemed to have lessened upon seeing his home. He led her to the assembled servants as Colin’s valet and Joan climbed off the back of the carriage.
“Sir, we didn’t expect you so soon. May I offer my felicitations on your marriage?” The man turned to Anne, and she could feel his judgmental gaze rake over her.
Colin either didn’t notice or didn’t care—Anne hoped it wasn’t the latter—as he proceeded to make the introductions. “My lady, this is Greene, our butler.”
Anne disliked the man immediately, and although she pasted on a smile, her tone remained cool indifference. “Greene, I trust you’ve kept everything running superbly in my husband’s absence.”
The butler raised a gray eyebrow. “But of course, madam.”
Anne couldn’t help but notice he didn’t address her asmy lady.
“And our housekeeper, Mrs. Campbell.”
The woman gave Anne the same icy reception, but at least she had the good manners to curtsy.
A younger woman slipped out the door and joined them. Her gaze traveled to the girls and then to Anne.
“Welcome, Lady Manning.” She executed a deeper curtsy than the housekeeper. With dark-blond hair pulled back severely from her face, the woman had kind eyes and a gentle smile.
