She already said she won’t leave Stonebridge. She won’t settle for anything less.And that was why he couldn’t just give her somewhere to live; he had to find another man to take her away, or she would forever be a problem for him.
“All alone?” Colin grimaced. “Heavens, I would not wish that upon any lady I know. I realize it is Mayfair, not Whitechapel, but it is not safe for a woman to be alone in such a vast city. Why, she would certainly become a target for thieves if they knew there was no gentleman in residence to protect her.”
“She’d have her staff,” Jeremy countered.
Colin pursed his lips. “Still, it would worry me to have such a sweet, pretty little thing surviving alone there. She does not have many connections, you see. There would be no one for her to rely upon.” He lowered his voice. “You know the whispers, do you not?”
“I don’t listen to idle gossip,” Jeremy replied sternly. He could not fathom any man who indulged in such things.
Colin shrugged. “It was only meant as a friendly warning, Your Grace. She is not… well favored in society, given the death of her husband. It was quite sudden, and though a physician confirmed there was nothing suspicious, just a gentleman with a weak heart like his forefathers, that sort of ill fortune has a way of sticking to a lady.”
Frustration bubbled in Jeremy’s chest as he listened, for if that was true about Anna’s reputation, it would assuredly hinder his plans to see her married off.
“But I suppose the London townhouse would be better than ending up on the streets, destitute and cast out,” Colin continued with a shrug. “You would think that her family would rallyaround her, after such a sad upheaval, but her cousin is a wretched creature. Just awful. I played cards with him once at a gentlemen’s club in Soho, and that was bad enough.”
“Her cousin?”
Colin nodded. “Benedict, Baron of Pembroke. Inherited when her father died. Truly, a beastly fellow, and it will do his sister no favors when she enters society in a few years.” He leaned in. “As for the duchess’s plight, Ihad thought thatImight step in and protect her… and as it seems you are eager to find a solution, I could be the one to offer it.”
The man wore a teasing smile, a glint in his blue eyes that made Jeremy want to punch him quite hard. But he was new here; it would be a pity to make enemies so soon after arriving.
Is that truly what society thinks of her? That she’s some omen of bad luck?He figured he might have a thing or two to say about that, considering his immense good fortune… although ithadcome at a steep cost. Too steep.
Nevertheless, he was beginning to understand why Anna was so desperate to remain where she was. If society would not have her and her own family would not have her, and the townhouse was in disrepair, then it appeared she trulydidhave nowhere else to go. Maybe she had tried to find another husband already and had been shunned for something she had no control over.
“I am sure she doesn’t need yer help,” Jeremy said coolly. “I amhelping her.”
Colin laughed and put up his hands in a gesture of surrender, a knowing look upon his face. “It was a jest, Your Grace. Just a jest. I have had more than a year to entice that beautiful creature and to offer her my assistance. As I am riding alone, a bachelor still, that ought to be evidence enough of my intentions.” He smiled. “But, now that I have you here, what would you say to attending my masquerade?”
“A ball?” Jeremy’s insides twisted.
He hadn’t been eager to deal with English society at all, but he was even less inclined after what he had just heard about their treatment of Anna.
“Yes, at my residence,” Colin replied eagerly. “An invitation for you and Her Grace, to show I mean no harm. It is not often that someone new moves nearby, and the previous duke was not exactly… friendly, so forgive my enthusiasm.”
Jeremy considered the notion. If nothing else, it would be a chance to see how society really reacted to Anna, so he could modify his plans as needed. And if Beatrice arrived on time, she might appreciate the distraction. She had always relished the gatherings they had at McIver Castle.
Or, maybe, it will just serve as another reminder of what she has lost.His heart weighed heavily, still wondering if Beatrice and Sophie would come to Stonebridge at all.
“We’ll see,” Jeremy said at last.
But the Marquess seemed to hear certainty, as he clapped his hands together, startling his own horse. “Excellent! Expect the formal invitations today. If I had known I would happen upon you on such a fine morning, I would have delivered them personally. But, no matter, they will arrive soon enough, and I shall look forward to seeing you both at my little gathering.”
Before Jeremy could correct the man, Colin steered his unnerved horse around and began riding away, calling back over his shoulder, “Farewell, Your Grace. It was nice to make your acquaintance!”
Jeremy watched him leave, wondering if it was a trait in the English to be so defiant of everything he said.
After another hour or so outside among the hills and woods, his head much clearer than when he had set out, Jeremy returned to the manor. He approached from the south, riding quickly, sweeping away the last of his grim mood… but as he reached the paddocks where several horses grazed, he slowed to a gentle stop.
In the distance, in what appeared to be a smaller paddock overgrown with wildflowers, was Anna. She was lying on the grass, with her lady’s maid seated nearby, as a swarm of furry creatures bounded, leaped, and clambered all over her.
He could hear her laughter, carried by the wind.
What on earth?He squinted to get a better look and realized that the furry creatures were goats. Baby ones, bleating and frolicking, lowering their heads as they practiced butting Anna… which only seemed to make her laugh harder, while she fought off their playful attacks.
Suddenly, she sat up, and the goats scattered. All but one, smaller than the rest, which she scooped into her arms. A strange feeling came over Jeremy as he watched her lavish kisses on that tiny creature, cradling it to her chest and pouring out all her affection.
He remembered how the soft skin on the back of her neck felt against his rough palm, and how her head had tilted back, inviting him to kiss her. He thought of his hesitation—how close he had come to closing that gap between them before the maid interrupted them.
