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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“It is an honor to finally meet the duchess of Wolvesley! We’d begun to wonder if we would ever get the chance to be introduced to you,” the Baroness of Luxley grinned at Anna.

Anna blushed, still not used to the attention she was met with as Hudson introduced her to his different acquaintances. It had taken some getting used to – the reverence in their gazes each time they looked at her. Anna had been a duchess for over a year but had not felt as though much had changed in the way she was regarded because she had not been in society for so long.

Here and now, being the much sought-after subject of attention, it was obvious how different things had become. Although she had adjusted to the fascination and immediate shine of interest shown to her by the other guests, it still unsettled her nerves.

“The honor is mine. I have heard quite a lot about your work with the orphans and widows – specifically how you have held fundraisers in their honor and gone to great lengths to meet their needs. I am immensely grateful that I was given the chance to meet an exemplary woman like yourself,” Anna managed, mustering a smile.

The baroness’ expression froze with pleasant surprise for a moment, then she glanced at the duke.

“Not a lot of people care about my work unless they wish to use my deeds as an avenue to make themselves look good. It pleases me to know that you have cast your favorable attention upon me, Your Grace.” The older woman curtsied, smiling brightly.

“How could I not? I was orphaned at a very young age, so I and my siblings had to struggle to survive. We might have been some of the lucky ones, to have gotten this far. And it makes me wonder about those who were not as fortunate as we were. If there is anything you need – whatever I can do to contribute to your cause, do let me know. I would love to be of help somehow.”

“Of course, Your Grace,” Lady Luxley nodded quickly, the surprise still evident in her gaze. “I – it would please me greatly to have you join my cause. I am sorry – about what happened to you. I am certain your parents would be rather proud of how you and your siblings grew. You have carried their legacy remarkably well, and I know they are resting well, relieved that you are all right.”

She glanced off into the distance distractedly for a moment, then she huffed apologetically once her attention returned to Anna.

“I am sorry, Your Grace, but it seems my daughter needs me. It was truly lovely meeting you.”

“Likewise,” Anna nodded, smiling gently. “Do enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Lady Luxley nodded, turning to Hudson as though she had only just remembered he was still standing there – even though he was the one who had introduced them, and had been by Anna’s side the whole time.

“It was nice to see you as well, Your Grace. Do take good care of your lovely duchess.”

Hudson regarded the baroness with thinly veiled amusement and nodded sagely, then he turned to fix Anna with a dark stare that sent a shiver down her spine.

“Do not worry, Lady Luxley. My wife is in very capable hands.”

There was an edge to his voice, something heavy that made Anna's bones feel as though they were being pricked with pins. Quickly, she looked away from him, feeling her cheeks come aflame.

He had been staring at her so intensely all evening – ever since she had come down to meet him in the foyer. He had not said anything, had not expressed any sort of dissatisfaction, but she could sense something was wrong.

It did not help that she felt greatly uncomfortable in her dress, the material feeling strangely heavier than she remembered it ever being, and tight in places that made her feel smothered.

What if... what if that was the reason her husband kept staring at her? What if she looked as unattractive as she felt?

The nervousness Anna had felt earlier in the evening returned, rendering her slightly nauseous. Her mind continued to spin tales of Hudson’s irritation, leading her down a dark path as she wondered why he kept sticking close to her as he introduced her to his acquaintances if she looked awful. Did he feel that he had no choice but to stay by her side? Was he worried she would say something wrong and embarrass him further?

“Oh no,” Hudson muttered under his breath, placing a hand on the small of Anna’s back as he steered her in a different direction than they had originally been headed. “Quickly, before he –”

“Wolvesley! As I live and breathe! You really came.”

Hudson sighed deeply, closing his eyes as he swore quietly, before slowly turning around to glare at the man approaching them with a gleeful smile.

“Owen. You knew I would be in attendance. Do not act so surprised,” Hudson stated, looking unimpressed.

“I am merely stunned that you attempted to hide from me, even after we had both confirmed that we would attend this ball. If you wanted to hide your lovely gem of a wife from me, you would have done a better job,” the man said, shifting his gaze to Anna.

He regarded her with obvious curiosity for a moment, then a slow smirk spread across his lips.

“Well, this explains quite a bit, doesn’t it?” he questioned vaguely.

Anna frowned in confusion and turned to her husband for an explanation, but it seemed as though Hudson had no intention of sharing what his friend meant because he was too busy glaring at him intently.

“Owen. Do not inspire me to work harder in an effort to ruin your life,” Hudson threatened.