Her shoulders slumped forward. “I should go back and—”
“If you sayapologize, I will rush for the physician.” At her defeatist manner, he may call one yet. She’d clearly taken ill.
Anna sighed. “I should make amends, at least.”
Jackson couldn’t agree. He’d never had so much fun watching the beau mode roast over her hellfire. “You should go back and take a bow.”
“I’d be booed off the stage.”
“On the contrary. Figaro looked close to a standing ovation there at the end. You may be required in an encore.”
She made a face. “I didn’t see your brother among the guests.”
“Too busy delivering your righteous speech,” he pointed out.
Anna scowled. “You mock me.”
She looked relieved at the fact.
“You find the game unpleasant, I see,” he said. “In that case, how do you feel about light teasing?”
She sighed. “You wish to vex me.”
“I do believe I’ve succeeded.”
She turned away, her gaze going to the house. “Seems I’m less skilled at attending engagement meals than I am at regular ones.”
“Forced social niceties while consuming beef confit.” He didn’t need to pretend his shudder. “Bad for the digestion.” He cut her a glance and shook his head. “I’d say you did us both a favor by storming out.”
She huffed, brightness returning to her eyes. “You didn’t need to race after me.”
Because his defense was a slap to the face in her eyes.
“My lady,” he said with a sigh. “I am a gentleman.”
She snorted. “The role doesn’t suit you, Duke.”
“How could I not follow my bride in her distress? What if there were a shortage of handkerchiefs to be found? Why, you’d be forced to wipe your bodily fluidson your sleeve.”
That look on her face—the same look she’d given a beetle with its innards partially exposed when they’d been children. “I do believe it isyouwho will find yourself in distress should you think to treat me like some overcome damsel.”
Talk about a role not well suited to the actor.
“Nothing to say in your defense, sir?”
She was spoiling for a fight.
“My manners are abysmal. The guest list was lacking. The footmen served champagne instead of white wine.” Jackson smiled. “Thank God, the eggs weren’t dry.”
Not so much as a twitch of the lips on her face. “They were hollandaise.”
“I told Cook to see the yolk didn’t so much astouchthe heat before they were mixed in cold.” Mrs. Lamb had looked ready to quit on the spot when he’d asked for such a thing. “All to suit your tastes, my dear.”
“They were inedible,” Anna said.
He winked, seeing her mask cracking at the edges. “I knew you’d appreciate my efforts.”
She looked away. “You needn’t have gone to the trouble.”
