Her responding frown said she didn’t like that. But desperation could make the strongest will fold, it would seem. “Will he hear you out?”
He mocked surprise. “You doubt my omnipotent persuasion as a duke?” He dropped the act because the worry lines around her mouth after mentioning William hadn’t smoothed. “The man is the best investigator in England, Anna. He will see to your brother. In this, I have no doubt.”
There was the barest softening around her eyes. “Thank you,” she said, as if the words were sour fruit in her mouth.
He grinned. “Are you well? I’m told the first taste of humility can be quite bitter.”
As he’d hoped, the melancholy turning down her lips lifted.
“Not to worry, Duke. I’ve come to know revenge as sweet compensation.”
“Not before I enjoy the dish first,” he said. At her narrowed gaze, he went on, “Tomorrow morning—er,thismorning”—the light outside the window was coming brighter over the horizon—“I will leave for Grandfellow Hall to inform my family of our impending nuptials. I will have the carriage prepared for you to join me later, after you’ve packed your things and had them sent over to the house.”
Her chin lifted, not yet seeing his trap. “I am hardly needed to oversee the instructions through. It would take a simple note, and I could ride with you to the country.”
He stepped back, knowing the quick right cross she possessed. “That will not do, my darling affianced. You’ve not thought this through. After the stop to the Brixby townhouse, you’ve a far more important meeting to keep.”
“The funeral parlor?” she said, no doubt taking his coffin measurements by eye.
“There won’t be time,” he said, dragging out the silence before he added, “not when I hear a bride is in need of a trousseau.”
Her expression went cold. Yes, it seemed her dislike of immovability hadn’t changed with age. To be forced to stand there for more than a minute—pinned and draped as a modiste took her measurements and adjusted—would be torture.
She cursed, colorfully and with vigor.
“Miss Greene,” Jackson admonished, the effect ruined by his smirk. “Hardly language I would expect from my betrothed.”
“You are a cruel, sadistic bounder.”
His smile widened. “Compliments will get you everywhere.”
He waited for her to refuse, to demand a promise that he would keep his word about asking for Roberts’s aid in exchange for the arduous task.
But Anna did nothing but flutter those lashes—causing sweat to break out down Jackson’s spine—and said, “Of course, Duke. I will see my bridal wardrobe commissioned with all haste so I may join you in the country.”
He may have gotten the first spoonful of revenge, but there was little doubt she would take the bowl if that glint in her eye was any indication.
There was audible rustling through the house; the servants were rousing and preparing for the day.
“I should go,” Anna said, her gaze on the window where the first rays of sun broke over the city. “If I leave now, there will be no rumors of untoward conduct.”
Jackson swallowed the unpleasant thought of her leaving his sight, like ash in his mouth. He couldn’t help teasing her one last time. “Are you sure you do not need another escort? I would hate for my lovely betrothed to lose her way before we take to the altar.” At least at this time of the morning, most ruffians and pickpockets would be abed, sleeping until the late-morning bustle to stretch their criminal muscles.
She cut him a glare, a look of fire that went a long way in assuaging his worry she would be easily washed away. “You know what they say about bad pennies, Duke.” She tightened her gloves at the wrists and bared her teeth. “They make excellent weapons against arrogant dukes.”
He grinned as she quit the room, and the sound of the front door opened and closed.
Annabeth Greene. Dulcetly featured with hellfire in her veins.
Not even six years apart had changed that.
He frowned, remembering her adamancy that her relatives not be informed of the wedding or William’s disappearance.
Somethinghadescaped his notice, it seemed.
She’d gone to live with her uncle after her papa’s fall from grace. Gambling. Destitution. After the man had taken the coward’s way out and left his two children without a father.
Hadn’t that been the reason Jackson proposed? He’d been set on saving her. Willing to brave ostracization, disinheritance,his mother’s forked tongue.
