Mr. Lane laughed heartily and slapped a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t look so terrified, Everett. She won’t bite.”
“I am not so certain,” I muttered. “Perhaps you shouldspeak with her about Ms. Peale before you leave. She might change her mind about Bath.”
His chuckled but scratched the back of his head and winced. “I do not think that is wise. Not until I speak with Ms. Peale and make my intentions known. With all sincerity, I cannot thank you enough for agreeing to host Anna on such short notice. I trust you with my daughter, Everett. She is my world. Keep her safe. Keep her happy. Should anything go wrong—”
“It won’t, sir.” I straightened my spine. Safe, I could promise. As her guardian, I’d fight off any foes, give the woman my own lifeblood if I had to.
But keeping her happy? That was an entirely different beast. I’d aim forcontent, and Mr. Lane would have to be merciful. My main goal for the week was to show off Brighton. Its beauty, its charm, and its people. If I could not win Anna over, perhaps they could.
He nodded once, his features firm and serious. “Safe travels, then. I shall meet you in Brighton.”
“Until then, sir.”
I watched as he hopped into his carriage, a servant closing the door behind him. And he was off.
The front door of the house opened again, a footman standing at attention, and Anna emerged with a satchel in hand. Her hair was silky and shiny and practically glowed in the sun. Soft curls bounced as she took the steps, her dress swayed with each movement, and something low in my stomach clenched. Gads, she was beautiful. Too beautiful.
“Good morning, Mr. Everett,” she clipped.
A peace offering? “Miss Lane. You are—”
“Where is your horse?” She stopped a few feet in front ofme, crossing her arms around her satchel and staring hard. “I am ready to depart, but it appears you are not.”
Lud, she was fierce. She truly thought she could oust me from my own carriage, speaking to me like I was nothing more than dirt beneath her boots. That might have been true when we first met, but I’d worked hard for my place. My riding or not had nothing to do with Brighton, and no reasonable sway on her opinion of the investment.
“It looks like rain,” I lied, staring back.
She raised one delicate brow. “It absolutely does not.”
“It does,” I continued, moving aside to allow her access to the steps leading into the carriage. “You would not wish for me to catch cold. For then I would not be able to show you Brighton, and you could not accurately form your opinion for your father. Indeed, by the time I recovered, your father will have returned, and your opinion, lacking as it shall be, will be irrelevant. He will wish to form his own. With me.” I finished with a happy grin, which she returned with a fiery glare.
Thinking on it, catching cold might actually be worth a seven-hour horse ride. “So if you insist—”
Anna brushed past me, not waiting for assistance. She braced herself against the carriage doorframe as she climbed inside, followed closely by her lady’s maid. Surprised, I took that as my invitation.
“Good morning.” I nodded to her lady’s maid, taking my seat opposite the two women.
My carriage was small but sturdy. I’d bought it from an older gentleman who’d profited from one of my investment opportunities. He’d given me an unfair advantage on theprice—I’d assumed from gratitude at our success—and I’d not argued.
I knocked thrice on the roof, and my driver urged the horses forward.
Anna drew in a long breath. Then another. Then she rifled through her satchel and pulled out a small brown notebook and charcoal pencil.
She opened to the first page, then her gaze met mine. “Day one,” she muttered.
Besides her maid, who had perfected the role of an invisible servant, Anna and I were alone. And that was a strange feeling. “Writing in your journal?” I tilted my head, leaning back in my seat.
Anna barely spared me a second’s glance. “Something like that.”
This was going to be the longest ride of my life. I crossed my arms, trying to get comfortable, but my mind was fixed on this week and what it meant. Convincing Anna to appreciate Brighton enough to allow her father to invest with me would be no small feat. I needed her to love Brighton, which meant I’d have to appeal to her heart, if she had one. But what could Brighton offer a woman whose every need was met at the snap of a finger?
“I think you’ll find the Steine particularly diverting.” I watched her pencil scratch along the page, then tried again. “Brighton comes alive at night. People often gather in the evenings to socialize. I shall take you tonight and you can see for yourself just how happy the people are.”
Again, silence. What in the blazes was she writing in that little book?
Knees swaying close to mine, she lifted her head, herkeen eyes studying me. “I shall be tired after a long day of traveling. I shall have dinner in my room. We shall start tomorrow.”
I clenched my teeth. Devil take it, I wastryingto be civil. “My mother will be very disappointed if you take dinner in your room tonight.” Ginny would be, too, if nothing more than having something to gossip about to her friends.
