He removed his flat hat and bowed. His auburn curls tumbled over his sharp cheeks and strong jaw. “Good morning. How are you today?”
“I’m afraid I can’t do this. I’m sorry.”
“What’s the matter? You can’t do what?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“I can’t spend time with you. I’m sorry.” She went to move, but he took her hand gently.
“Did I do something that offended you? I’ll make amends.”
Her heart cracked a little. “No, you didn’t do anything. It’s me. I don’t want to be the cause of my sister’s unhappiness.”
“I don’t understand.” He didn’t release her hand. “We already discussed that. I told you I don’t care about your behaviour.”
“It’s not just my behaviour. I’m not what you might call an accomplished lady. I don’t speak foreign languages as fluently as Helen does. I don’t have gracious conversation skills. My only ambition is to attend to the flowers in my conservatory. What kind of ambition is that?” She had to take a deep breath not to sob.
Anthony listened to her patiently. His eyebrows plunged in a deep V. “It’s your ambition. It’s who you are.”
“Your family is so powerful and ancient that being part of it, even through Helen’s marriage to you, is a huge responsibility, and I don’t want to embarrass my family.”
Anthony’s gaze became so intense she stopped blabbering. There was no hiding from his emerald eyes.
He cupped her cheek with a light hand. “You aren’t going to embarrass your family. I find your honesty and happiness refreshing. I wouldn’t want you to change for any reason, and you shouldn’t be intimidated by my family.”
“The Dowager doesn’t like me. She doesn’t want me to have anything to do with your family.” She leant into his touch.
“You’re being too dramatic, and Grandmama doesn’t decide my future. Stop worrying. Please.”
“What about Helen? I don’t want her to be penalised because of me.”
He withdrew his hand, and she missed the comfort it provided. “Helen won’t be penalised. I promise.”
“She’s so clever, you know. She studies and memorises even subjects she doesn’t like. She hates the piano, but she plays it divinely. I received the same education, but with not-so-brilliant results. Not that I cared until now.”
“Enough.” He gave her a stern look. “As I said, Helen and your family won’t be humiliated, ridiculed, or punished in any way. And I don’t think you’re an embarrassment. I wouldn’t be here with you right now if I thought ill of you. Grandmama enjoys giving orders, but this is my life, and I decide whom I want to marry. So stop this fuss. You’re worrying about nothing.”
She stooped her shoulders, tension leaving her body. “Thank you.”
“Do you want to get back to the castle?” He offered her his arm.
She’d made a promise, and he’d been very kind to her. “No, I want to see Maiden Hill with you.”
“It’s not far.”
He held her hand as they went down the path, and she quite liked the gesture.
Maiden Hill came into view after a curve. The imposing three-storey manor must have had shining limestone walls in the past. Now English ivy and weeds crawled over them like a disease sprouted from the ground. A diamond window on the ground floor was broken, and moss covered the roof.
Anthony gripped her hand more tightly as they stopped in the drive where weeds competed for space.
“No one lives here.” She craned her neck to see past the overgrown trees, but the upper floor was hidden by the vegetation.
“Von Gruner doesn’t care about this place.”
“Why did he buy it then?”
