Chapter Three
The next afternoon, Anne placed an apple cake on the small wooden worktable in the cottage kitchen. She breathed in the scent of cinnamon and apples. She sent a mental thank-you to Mrs. Fellows for the generous gift of apples from the Lodge’s orchard. She would also make jam with Hannah, their maid of all work, later. She loved baking. Had they stayed with John, she’d never have had the opportunity to learn to cook.
“What is that glorious smell?” Juliet bounded into the kitchen, her glossy dark hair dancing around her face. “Please say I can have some.”
“No, you may not,” Sophia said as she entered the kitchen behind her sister. “We are expecting guests. I just dusted the parlor.” She tossed down the rag with a martyred flourish. “I don’t understand why Hannah can’t dust.”
“Hannah can’t do everything.” Anne gently placed the cake on a plate. “Juliet, pass me those herbs, please.”
Juliet passed the basket to Anne. “Do I have to listen to Mr. Matthews spout his pathetic poetry about Sophia’s eyes?”
Anne stifled a laugh. “It’s not that bad. I need to go up to the Lodge.”
“I’ll be sick if I have to sit and watch him make cow eyes at her again,” Juliet said.
“Anne, you have to be here! Tony’s brother is coming specifically to meet the family.” Sophia tsked at her sister. “You are covered in flour.”
“I’ve already met Mr. Matthews’s brother.” And it wasn’t something she wanted to repeat. Anne brushed out her dress. “Lady Danford needs me. Juliet will be here.”
“You will be here, Anne. I insist.” Sophia took Anne’s arm and tugged her toward the stairs. “I’ve laid out your green dress. Change out of that old thing.”
“Surely having tea with the man’s brother isn’t worth changing for,” Anne argued. It was one of the few nice day dresses she owned.
“I can’t believe we are having this conversation. You are the one pushing me to marry well,” Sophia said with a toss of her head.
“I’m not pushing you—”
“You most certainly are!” Sophia said. “Please change. And do something about your hair. It’s worse than usual, if that’s possible.”
Anne gritted her teeth and waited for her temper to cool before trusting herself to speak. Lord, Sophia was a trial. She needed a comeuppance, but not today. “Very well, the green dress.”
“You needn’t act as if the green dress were an elegant ball gown. Only Sophia gets new dresses. How can we make a good impression if the two of us look like we dressed from the rag bag?” said Juliet as she toyed with the cake.
Sophia sniffed. “If I’m to marry well, then I must dress well. I don’t see why you’re complaining. Once I’m married, you’ll have new dresses.”
“Juliet, leave the cake alone,” Anne said. “Sophia, there’s no need to crow at your sister.”
“I’m the one making the sacrifice and saving the family,” Sophia cried. “I get so sick of listening to her complain.”
“Poor Sophia, so deprived. I’m sick of you!” Juliet stomped up the stairs.
Anne winced as a door slammed. “Sophia, that wasn’t helpful.”
Sophia huffed and pulled a face. “This wouldn’t have happened if we’d stayed with our brother.”
Anne couldn’t win. She sighed, her shoulders slumped. “Go prepare for your visitors. We can discuss this later.”
There would be no running away to the Fairy Steps today. Not with Mr. Matthews and his brother coming to call. She pressed a hand to her forehead. The visit from hell, and no way to escape.
Anne made her way to her small room and quickly brushed the flour from her hair and slipped into the green dress. She tucked a lace fichu into the low neckline and glanced at herself in the small looking glass. It would have to do.
She made her way back to the kitchen to prepare the tea tray. Sophia’s attitude grew worse every day. She complained about having to marry Tony Matthews, but sang a different tune when he was around. If their circumstances weren’t so dire, Anne would let her drop the whole thing.
She placed the kettle on to boil and turned to look out the kitchen window. Winter was just around the corner. How Anne wished her mother were alive. She didn’t know how much more she could take. She might have to throw her pride away and ask her brother for help after all.
“The cake looks nice, miss,” Hannah said as she entered the kitchen. “Fine job you’ve done.”
“Thank you.” Anne sat at the table and played with the herbs she’d placed around the cake “What news from town?”
“Everyone is talking about the handsome young man who is visiting Lady Danford,” Hannah said as she tied on her apron.
Anne made a face. “Mr. Matthews’s brother.”
“So you’ve met the young man? What’s he like?”
“Arrogant,” Anne said shortly.
Hannah laughed. “Aren’t they all?”
“True. This man more than most.”
“Perhaps this will speed up the engagement,” Hannah said.
“I doubt it. Although if they don’t marry we won’t have to listen to Tony Matthews’s poetry anymore.” Anne groaned. “It’s dreadful.” She cut the cake into thin slices and readied the tea service with their best cups and saucers. This visit had to go well. She needed Tony Matthews to propose to Sophia.
“Anne! Anne, you’ll never guess! Our brother is here!” Sophia danced into the kitchen. “At last! Isn’t it exciting?”
A teacup crashed onto the table as it slipped from Anne’s hand. “Here? In Beetham?”
“No, here, in the parlor! Oh, do you think he’ll take us all back to London with him?” Sophia capered like a child.
“Calm yourself, Sophia.” Anne smoothed her skirts down, patted her hair, and tried vainly to calm her racing heart. What could he want? She knew better than to hope he’d had a change of heart. He lacked a heart to change. “Please join Juliet upstairs while I see to him.”
“But, Anne, I want to see him now. It’s been ages.” Sophia locked her jaw.
“Do as I ask for once, please?” Anne growled.
“But Anne—” Sophia whined.
“Now.” Anne stared her sister into submission. Sophia turned and stomped up the stairs.
Releasing the breath she had been holding, Anne turned to Hannah and asked her to fetch her husband, Thomas.
“He walked into town, miss. Do you expect trouble?”
“I don’t know. To say that my brother and I didn’t part well is an understatement.” Her stomach lurched.
“I’ll fetch him right now, miss.” Hannah grabbed her wrap and hurried out the kitchen door.
Anne pinched her cheeks for color. The last time she had seen Sir John he was in the process of throwing his half sisters into a carriage along with all their belongings. Anne could remember watching him turn his back before the carriage rolled away, leaving her to explain his actions to her younger sisters. They had cried for hours. She took a deep breath and entered the parlor.
“John, how kind of you to call.” She smiled tightly.
John rose from his chair. “Anne, you’ve changed so much, I’d hardly know you.”
She ignored his comment and stood by the fire. The years of his profligate behavior had aged him. Only three years her senior, his face was florid and he had a bit of a paunch. “What brings you so far from London?”
“Always the civil one.” He immediately sat back down and fidgeted with his gloves. “Can’t a man visit his sisters?”
“Half sisters. Abandoned half sisters.”
He cleared his throat. “Anne, sit down so we can talk.”
She sat down near the fireplace. “What is there to discuss? Why you threw us out?”
John studied her with narrowed eyes. “Perhaps I was hasty.”
“Hasty in throwing us out immediately after Father’s death, with no funds, no connections? Imagine that.” Anne laughed harshly.
“Grief can make a man do daft things.”
Anne raised one eyebrow at him. “I heard you were to be married. How is your wife, John? Did you bring her with you?”
“Her father refused the match,” he mumbled, and pulled at a thread on his waistcoat. “I’m in need of funds, Anne.”
She blinked at him, beyond astounded. “Funds? Look around you, Brother. Does it look like we have money?”
“You always jump to conclusions.”
Anne almost denied it, but let the comment pass. He had a point. “Very well then, do go on.”
“I was hoping to sell your mother’s jewels. I remember a ruby necklace that would fetch a good price.”
Anne laughed bitterly. He had come all this way not for them, but for jewelry. “I don’t have any of Mother’s jewels. If I did, I would have sold them long ago. I thought Father had them.”
“I’ve searched everywhere. They aren’t at the manor. I need those jewels, Anne.” He became stern, as if he could demand she hand over what was never his.
“I’m sorry, but I haven’t seen them since my mother’s death. How much trouble are you in?”
“A great deal of trouble.” He stood and paced back and forth in the small space. “Those jewels must be here.” He crowded her in, blocking her exit.
“I assure you, they are not.” Anne stiffened. She felt like she had as a child, when he tormented her. “Step away.”
“Where are they, Anne?” he yelled. His eyes were shiny and wild as they darted around the room. “I must have them.” His breath smelled of old ale.
“I can hardly give you what I do not have.” She fought to keep the tremor from her voice. Her hand found the poker hidden beside her chair.
“Don’t lie to me!” He raised his hand to slap her as she swung the poker around and blocked him, cracking it against his down-swinging wrist. He yelped and stepped back as she stood and stabbed the sooty end firmly against his waistcoat, pushing him back. “You will not lay a hand on me. Never again.”
He rubbed his wrist and pulled an aggrieved, confused face. “Damn, that hurt, Anne. I wouldn’t have struck you. I just lost my temper for a moment.”
She merely waited, poker at the ready.
“What of Sophie and Juliet? Perhaps they would like a trip to London? They must be tired of Beetham. It’s dreadfully dull here,” he said.
Anne lowered the poker as her shoulders slumped. “And how would you provide for them, John, when you come demanding that I provide for you? Will you see to it that they marry suitable gentlemen, or just marry them off to the highest bidder?”
“I hear Sophie is practically engaged to a gentleman already.” He laughed softly. “You’re such a little hypocrite. She is marrying to save you and Juliet.”
“Sophia can wed anyone she wants and she knows it. I’m doing no less than what our mother would do in seeking connections that will ensure Sophia’s happiness.”
“Is the man rich?”
Anne stared at him. “He makes her happy.”
“It is my place to negotiate with this man. You had no right to do it without me.”
Anne raised one eyebrow. “Sophia is of age. This is none of your affair.”
“But Juliet isn’t. That makes me Juliet’s guardian. You don’t want me to make things difficult here, do you?”
“How dare you come here!” She tightened her hold on the poker, fighting the urge to hit him.
“Have we come at a bad time?” a deep voice suddenly asked at the door.
With Tony hovering behind him trying to see what was going on, Nathaniel Matthews kept his eyes focused on Anne Townsend. Her cheeks were flushed and she fairly vibrated with anger as she clutched the fireplace poker so tightly that her knuckles were white. He smiled gently at her. “We knocked at the door.” He glanced across the room. “Sir John.”
“Matthews. What are you doing here?” Sir John sneered. His face went from flushed to pale and back again. “Shouldn’t you be in Town, minding your own business?”
Nathaniel’s jaw tightened at the condescending tone. He turned to Miss Townsend. “Perhaps we should return at a more convenient time.”
“Please come in.” She glared at her brother. “Sir John was just leaving.”
“Trust me, Anne, this discussion is not over,” Townsend barked as he gathered up his hat and gloves.
“Good day, John.” Anne’s jaw was thrust forward and sparks seemed to fly from her eyes.
Nathaniel and Tony moved away from the doorway to let Townsend pass, but Nathaniel kept his eyes on Anne. She closed her eyes for a moment, then seemed to relax, and placed the poker back beside the fireplace.
The serene mask was back. “If you will excuse me, I will fetch my sisters.”
Nathaniel looked around the small parlor. The furnishings were worn, the rug and curtains faded. The nicer pieces were from the Lodge, courtesy of his grandmother.
“You are already judging them,” Tony said. “Why can’t you just accept people for who they are? The rest doesn’t matter.”
“Success is determined by money and connections,” Nathaniel replied sotto voce. “You know this as well as I.”
“Is that your definition of success, Mr. Matthews?” Anne came into the room carrying a tea tray, accompanied by two other young women.
Tony quickly took the tray from her and set it on a nearby table.
Anne turned to Nathaniel. “May I present my two younger sisters, Mr. Matthews. Miss Sophia Townsend and Miss Juliet Townsend.”
Nathaniel bowed. “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.” He could see why Tony was so enamored with Miss Sophia. She was quite beautiful with her porcelain skin and dark hair. The youngest Miss Townsend wasn’t as pretty as her sister yet, but showed promise, even with her spectacles. Neither, however, had the character that Anne Townsend had. He looked at his brother and frowned. The man was staring at Miss Anne Townsend with the oddest expression on his face, totally ignoring Miss Sophia.
“Shall I pour tea?” Anne asked.
“I thought we’d walk to town, Miss Townsend,” Tony said quickly. “There won’t be many fine days to come.”
Miss Sophia stood and tried to take Anthony’s arm. “Tony, what a splendid idea! I had a thought to go look at ribbons for when we are next at the Lodge.”
“Sophia, I thought you might walk with my brother so as to get to know him better. I could escort Miss Townsend and Miss Juliet.” Tony smiled at Anne.
Tony’s eyes were not leaving Miss Townsend’s face and she was getting flustered from the attention. Nathaniel glanced at Miss Sophia. This did not bode well for Tony. Nathaniel suspected Sophia had a temper similar to her sister’s.
“I think a walk is a splendid idea, but I insist on escorting Miss Townsend. We met briefly yesterday as I was arriving,” Nathaniel said. Tony glared at his brother. What the hell was wrong with him? Did he think to fight over who would walk the eldest Miss Townsend? Nathaniel glanced at the overt pout on Miss Sophia’s face.
“I think a walk to town would be refreshing,” Juliet stated to no one in particular. “We won’t have to listen to poetry if we walk to town.”
“Juliet!” Anne whispered.
Nathaniel choked back a laugh. “Shall we go then?”
“I suppose,” Anne said cautiously. She looked down at the tea and cake. “If you’ll excuse us, we’ll just fetch our coats.”
Damn. He’d forgotten she’d prepared tea. The tea and cake would be wasted, something Anne Townsend could ill afford, but the small parlor with its sagging couch only exacerbated the odd pull he felt whenever he was near Anne. He needed to put space between them, lessen the effect until he could figure it out.
Not to mention he had to apologize for his earlier behavior or his grandmother would kill him. He’d prefer to not do that in front of an audience.
“You should have taken tea first, Nathaniel,” Tony whispered angrily. “Anne went to all this trouble.”
“Leave it,” Nathaniel said.
The girls whispered furiously on the stairs before a sharp shush stopped the noise as they descended the stairs. Nathaniel offered Anne his arm. She glared at him, but accepted. He led her out of the cottage and into the lane. Tony and Anne’s two sisters followed. Nathaniel urged her up the lane toward the village so that they would have some space from the others.
“Is this a race, Mr. Matthews?” Anne’s voice was frosty as she released his arm.
“Miss Townsend, you were in some distress when we arrived.” He kept his voice low, his head angled down so not to be overheard.
“Not at all.”
He raised an eyebrow at the coolness of her tone. Interesting. She stared straight ahead with her arms swinging by her side, her chin up.
“I had no idea when we met yesterday at the Fairy Steps that there existed a connection between my brother and your sister.” He glanced back at the threesome behind them. Miss Sophia continued to pout and Tony kept his eyes on Anne. “Though it looks as if they’ve had a tiff.”
Anne glanced back at the couple. “I’m sure they will make amends. They’ve been living out of each other’s pockets since Tony arrived.”
“Tony mentioned that he might wish to marry your sister. He asked what I thought of the matter.” He had Anne’s attention now. “I believe him too young to marry at this time.”
She said nothing for a long moment and Nathaniel wondered if he’d heard her. The composed mask that he so disliked was back.
“They are young, but many other couples have married at the same age,” Anne finally said.
“Tony, as second son, has no inheritance. He will need to marry well.”
“I see.” If possible, her spine stiffened more.
Nathaniel watched her face. “I’ve advised him to think carefully about the matter. As his allowance will stop now that he’s finished university, he’ll need to think about a living of his own.”
“That shouldn’t prevent him from marrying whom he loves,” Anne defended. “Surely you wish your brother to be happy.”
“It’s very difficult to be happy with little money,” Nathaniel said quietly.
“Of which I am well aware.” She wrapped her arms tightly around her and waited for her sisters to join them.
“I meant no insult,” he offered. He had this uncontrollable urge to comfort her.
“I’m sure you didn’t, Mr. Matthews.” She stared back at her sisters as they approached with Tony. “We have few connections and no money. You only spoke the truth.”
Nathaniel frowned. “I didn’t mean to imply—”
Anne met his gaze, her green eyes hard. “Of course you did. Your message is quite clear.”
“That’s not what I meant. They cannot live on love. He has no more money than she.”
A bitter smile played on her full lips. “Let’s not fool ourselves, sir. Your message was received.” She turned back to her sisters as they approached. “Sophia, I’m afraid I must leave you. There are things I need to see to.”
“Anne, we were going into the village,” Sophia cried.
“Miss Townsend, it won’t be the same if you don’t join us,” Tony added.
“I’ll walk back with you, Anne,” Juliet said.
“You should stay with Sophia,” Anne said quickly. She didn’t need Tony and Sophia wandering off alone. God forbid that Nathaniel Matthews think she was trying to force them into a marriage.
“I’ll accompany Miss Anne. I need to return to the Lodge anyway,” Nathaniel said, putting an end to the discussion. He bowed to the two sisters and offered Anne his arm once more. She hesitated but took it.
As soon as they rounded a curve in the road, however, Anne dropped his arm. Nathaniel had to widen his pace to keep up with her as she stomped down the path toward the cottage. Her back stiff as a rod, she swung her arms at her sides to aid her speed. She moved fast for someone of her stature.
She abruptly stopped and turned to face him, forcing him to step to the side to avoid colliding with her. “It appears you know my brother a great deal better than you led me to believe.”
Nathaniel stumbled over some stones in the path. “As I told you, we belong to the same club.”
She snorted. “There is more to it than that.”
Nathaniel hesitated. Telling her the truth would only make her dislike him more, as he’d caused her brother’s current situation. “Do you see your brother often?”
“We’ve not seen him for five years, not since he packed us off. Yet suddenly he’s here at the same time as you.” Her voice dripped with suspicion. “Coincidence?”
“I’m sure it’s mere chance, Miss Townsend.”
“Chance? I’m not an idiot. What are you about, Mr. Matthews, besides ruining my sister’s chance for happiness?” She blew an errant hair out of her face.
“I’m sorry. I swear his presence here came as a complete surprise.” He softened his tone. “Why do you fear your brother, Miss Townsend?”
Anne’s eyes widened and she looked away. “We didn’t part on good terms.”
Nathaniel wanted to take her hand, fold her in his arms and protect her. She’d probably hit him with a poker if he did. “I suggest you keep your distance from him, Miss Townsend. Trouble seems to follow Sir John.”
“I can handle my brother.”
“Miss Townsend, men do things when they are desperate.”
She eyed him suspiciously. “How do you know he is desperate?”
He hedged. “It is hardly my place to say.”
“I see. Mind your own business, Mr. Matthews, and I will mind mine.”
Nathaniel’s eyebrows rose at her frosty tone. “Of course, Miss Townsend.”
“If you will excuse me . . .” She stalked toward the cottage.
“I thought we would walk to the Lodge together.” He frowned after her, watching the way her rounded hips swayed, even while she stiffly tried to seem several inches taller than she was.
“I’m afraid I can’t at this time,” she said as she reached the cottage, opened the door, and slammed it behind her.
Once out of her sight, Nathaniel allowed himself to smile. She truly hissed like an angry kitten. A pretty, frightened, brave little kitten. He liked Anne Townsend. Hell, he admired her. She was a fighter.
Nathaniel turned toward the Lodge as a stranger dressed in a shabby brown coat and hat rounded the corner. The unkempt fellow spoke no greeting, but kept his head down and his face turned away. Nathaniel moved on but then stepped off the road into the trees to watch as the man stopped in front of the cottage and just stood there. Then, to Nathaniel’s horror, the man stepped inside the garden gate.
Nathaniel walked quickly back, and raised his voice as he approached. “May I help you?”
The man jerked his head up, revealing a long, thin, scarred face. Gray bristles edged his chin. The man turned away quickly and shuffled past the cottage toward the main road. What the hell was a vagrant doing staring at the cottage? First Sir John and now a stranger. This stretched the limits of coincidence.
Anne closed her eyes. She was exhausted and tired of fighting. She whipped her bonnet off her head.
Nathaniel Matthews, with his high-handed arrogance, tried every shred of her patience and there wasn’t much left.
Sophia would not be marrying Tony.
If they married without Mr. Matthews’s approval, without his financial support, then she would have one more mouth to feed.
She closed her eyes against the stinging tears. She had hung so much hope on this marriage. Well, it was time to plan how they would cope this winter. She hated taking charity, but she’d set her pride aside once again, for her sisters’ sake.
Then there was John. What was she supposed to do with him? He wanted money and they had none. Perhaps it was better that Sophia didn’t marry Tony. There was no reason for Tony and Sophia to start their lives together with Sir John’s troubles hanging over their heads. Tony was kind enough to want to help.
A knock sounded on the door and she jumped. She turned and opened the door to find Mr. Cecil Worth standing there, hat in hand. She was beginning to think God hated her. “Mr. Worth.”
“Miss Townsend. I hoped you were home.” He played nervously with his hat.
Oh dear God, he wants to visit? Anne didn’t think she could take any of his pontification now. She forced a cheerful smile. “You’ve caught me just as I was leaving, sir.” She stepped outside and closed the door behind her.
“Perhaps I can accompany you? Are you for the village, perhaps? I saw your sisters with Mr. Matthews, heading in that direction.”
“Actually, I must call at the Lodge.” She started walking and almost groaned aloud as he fell into step beside her. “How is your mother?”
“How thoughtful of you to ask, Miss Townsend. Mother is well. She sends her regards.”
Doubtful, Anne thought. The woman despised her. “Thank you. Please pass my regards to her as well.”
“You are kindness itself, Miss Townsend,” he gushed. “I wanted to speak with you about your sisters.”
“My sisters? Is there a problem?”
“Just that gossip has reached me that relates to Miss Sophia. I hear she is to be engaged to Lady Danford’s grandson.”
“They like each other, sir, but there is no understanding,” Anne clarified. God would forgive her for lying to a vicar. She hoped.
“I wanted to warn you before that could occur.”
Anne stopped and faced him. “What do you mean?”
He fiddled with his waistcoat. “His brother is in trade. One must be careful of the connections one makes.”
Anne furrowed her brow. “I’m not sure I understand your meaning. Mr. Matthews is a gentleman.”
“Yes, but given your own lineage, it would be beneath her to marry Mr. Matthews.”
“Ah, you mean as the daughter of a baronet.” Titles didn’t put food on the table or buy fuel. She had learned to place little importance on her heritage.
Mr. Worth nodded and hustled to keep pace with her as she launched herself forward once again.
“You are too good, sir.” Anne quickened her pace, nearly forcing him to break stride. First Mr. Matthews and now Mr. Worth, spouting the importance of connections. “Frankly, I don’t see an issue with Mr. Tony Matthews. He is a gentleman.”
“Yes, well—” He waved his arm vaguely.
“As are you, Mr. Worth. What difference is there between you and him?”
“I . . . uh . . . I take your meaning, ma’am.”
Anne smiled as they reached the park in front of the old house. “Thank you for your escort, sir.” She dipped a curtsy and rushed toward the door.
“Will we see you on Sunday, Miss Townsend?” Worth shouted.
“Yes, sir. Good day.” Anne knocked on the door of the great house, praying the footman would open it quickly. He did, and she rushed inside to the kitchen. She shed her coat and hat as she pondered how strange people were acting today.
“Are you well, miss?” Mabel ventured.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Should I let Lady Danford know you are here?”
“No. Thank you, Mabel.”
Anne waited until Mabel left the kitchen and then made her way to the library. The door was closed, so she knocked softly before entering. She didn’t want to encounter Nathaniel Matthews again.
The silence in the dark library wove a spell around her and Anne felt herself relax for the first time all day. She opened the desk drawer where the key was kept. It wasn’t there. Nathaniel must have moved it.
The world was against her. She quickly searched the desk for the key, locating it underneath a mat. She pulled the ledger and stack of receipts from the desk drawer. She picked up the quill, opened the ledger, and went to work.
It took hours. As the room grew dark, she lit a candle and stoked the fire as the room grew colder. She verified each entry in the ledger, going back three months, looking for the error Nathaniel had spoken of, but found none. She looked at the entries again.
She closed the ledger and the files.
“Damn his black heart.”
She tucked the ledgers away and locked the drawer. She replaced the key beneath the mat and blew out the candle. The glow of sunset warned her she needed to get back to the cottage. She opened the library door and peeked out into the hall to make sure she could escape unnoticed.
“Miss Townsend? I didn’t know you were here.”
She jumped and whirled around. Nathaniel Matthews stood in the gloom of the hall.
“How dare you?” She stomped toward him. She had never wanted to strike someone so badly.
“Pardon?”
“You led me to believe there was an issue with the ledgers,” she snarled. A footman stuck his head into the hallway. “Why would you do this?”
“Leave us,” Nathaniel commanded. He took Anne’s arm and tugged her back into the library, closing the door behind them.
She glared at him. “I want the door open.”
He reclined in a casual, dominant pose that she read clearly. “Simply put, because of your brother.”
“I am not my brother.”
“I had to be sure. My grandmother means a great deal to me.”
She couldn’t fault him for looking after his grandmother. She did the same and she wasn’t even related to the lady. “If I were a man, I would call you out.”
He smirked but didn’t laugh outright. Instead he stood tall and then bowed in her direction. “Please accept my apology, Miss Townsend. I should have trusted my grandmother’s opinion of you.”
She turned to go.
He was at the door instantly to open it for her. “Won’t you forgive me?” His low voice rumbled across her senses, leaving her muddled for a moment.
“P-please move aside, sir.” The scent of his soap filled her head. She blinked up at him. He was so tall; she barely reached his shoulder. She should feel afraid, but didn’t for some reason.
He cradled her hand in his. “Grandmother won’t like it if we fight,” he murmured as he slowly kissed each knuckle and turned her brain to mush.
This wouldn’t do. She tried to pull her hand away from his. Preferably before she said or did something truly foolish, like kiss his hand in return. How could she be so angry with him and still stand there in the shadows waiting for . . . what? “You treated me like a servant.”
“I apologized.”
He was so arrogant. She yanked her hand from his. “If you’ll excuse me—”
His eyes dropped to her mouth and lingered a moment. “I’ll accompany you home.”
“That really isn’t necessary.” She darted away from him in the dark hallway.
“I saw a strange man on the land earlier today, studying your cottage,” Nathaniel said, following her into the kitchen. “An older man with gray hair and a long scar on his face. Have you seen him?”
Anne turned to face him with her coat and bonnet in hand. “No. Did he say anything?”
“No.”
“Perhaps he was looking for Mr. Jenkins.”
“Mr. Jenkins hasn’t lived in that cottage for five years.” Nathaniel took the coat from her hand and assisted her as she put it on. Anne tied on her bonnet.
“Perhaps he was just a tinker,” she said. She walked to the kitchen door. Nathaniel was already there to open it for her. “Really, Mr. Matthews. It isn’t necessary to accompany me.”
“Might as well give in, Miss Townsend. I will walk you home. And I prefer to use the front door. And so should you.” He took her hand and led her through the hall again. He gathered his own coat and hat and then opened the front door for her. “After you.”
Anne stomped outside. “This doesn’t change my opinion of you.”
“Nor would I expect it to.”
When she tried her usual tactic of dashing ahead, he commandeered her arm and tucked it into his own in order to force a slower pace. After a tug or two, she acquiesced. It was less than a quarter mile to the cottage. The sky melted from fuchsia to purple as they walked, the beauty around her soothing her temper. Crazy thoughts whirled in her head, like how good it had felt when his mouth pressed against her hand. His lips had been warm. Just before they left the library, he’d stared at her mouth. Would he have kissed her?
They covered the short distance quickly and were at the gate of the cottage before she knew it.
“Good evening, Miss Townsend.” He startled her when he leaned in and planted a chaste kiss on her cheek. His mouth was cool, but his breath warm.
Her cheek tingled from the contact. She staggered inside and closed the door. Anne pressed a hand to her cheek. How had he known she was thinking about him kissing her?
Anne pulled on her apron while she walked to the parlor to collect the tea tray from earlier. A whole pot of tea wasted. The cake was stale now as well.
“There you are,” Sophia said, coming down the stairs. “We were wondering where you were. It’s nearly dark.”
“I went up to the Lodge. I had some work to do.” She carried the tray into the kitchen and set it on the wood table. “Did you have a nice walk with Mr. Matthews?”
“All Tony could talk about was you. He watched you as you walked with his brother. He paid no attention to me whatsoever until after you left.”
Juliet skipped into the kitchen. “Anne, you’re back.”
Sophia sneered. “Congratulations on stating the obvious. Now tell Anne how Tony stared at her.”
“He did seem focused on you, Anne. I thought it rather strange after his previous performances. Not one cow eye for Sophia. Rather refreshing, I think.”
Anne put away the cake and poured out the tea as Hannah prepared supper. She didn’t want to think about Tony and his silly cow eyes, or Mr. Worth and his effusive speech. What was it with the three of them? She was a spinster, usually invisible when her sisters were around.
“Oh, Anne, he spoke of writing poetry to you!” Sophia cried. “It’s supposed to be about me.”
“Do you hear yourself, Sophia?” Juliet said. “Honestly.”
“Dear God, I hope he was joking.”
Juliet snickered. “Me too. No more poetry, please.”
“What did you do to him?” demanded Sophia.
“Nothing,” Anne said. Good heavens, she had forgotten about that blasted wish. She’d been so busy dodging Mr. Matthews and Mr. Worth, it had slipped her mind. She ran the events of the day through her mind: Tony’s strange attention, Mr. Matthews’s persistence. Cecil Worth’s unwelcome attentions. Nathaniel might be excused, as he had just met her and could be simply addlepated. But Tony and Mr. Worth had known her for some time and never expressed interest before.
“Anne, are you quite well? You’ve gone pale,” Juliet asked tenderly.
“I’m fine,” Anne answered automatically. No matter how hard she tried to dismiss it, she now suffered the attentions of three men, whereas she had never suffered the attention of one before. Not one. And the only change she could think of was the encounter with that bizarre old woman at the Fairy Steps. And that damned wish.
“Oh, my Lord in heaven!” Anne collapsed into a kitchen chair. It wouldn’t be Mr. Matthews who ruined Sophia’s chances with Tony. It would be her.
“Anne, are you paying attention to me?” Sophia demanded. “What did you say to Tony?”
“I said nothing.” Anne rubbed her eyes.
“Perhaps Tony is finally seeing what a shrew you are, Sophia,” Juliet suggested sweetly.
“What?” Sophia screeched. “I’m sacrificing my life for you, ingrate! You should remember that!”
“Lord, Sophia, haven’t you nursed that one enough? I’m so sick of hearing about your great sacrifice for the good of all,” Juliet snapped. “If you don’t like Tony, let him be. No one is forcing you to marry him.”
Anne groaned. Her head was starting to pound. “Must you two argue?”
Sophia sat down beside her. “What were you and Mr. Matthews discussing today during our walk?”
“He’s against his brother marrying at this time,” Anne said. “He says Tony is too young.”
“What?” Sophia cried.
“Tony needs to marry well. We are too poor. Not to mention our connection with Sir John,” Anne said as gently as she could. The last thing she wanted was a hysterical Sophia.
“Of course, being estranged from our brother hurts my chances of a good match,” Sophia accused.
“What do you mean?” Juliet asked. “What does John have to do with any of this?”
“John is a baronet. Our connection to him would give us more prospects, not to mention a trip to London for the Season,” Sophia answered. “If Anne weren’t so angry with him, we wouldn’t be in this dreadful place.”
“Don’t blame me for this, Sophia,” said Anne. “John threw us out.”
Sophia plopped down into a chair with a pout. “And just what did you do to John to make him send us away like that?”
“What did I do to John? Oh, let me see, no more than you and Juliet. I ate, drank, required housing and clothes. Dreadfully selfish of us, don’t you think?” Anne regretted the harsh words the moment they left her lips. “I’m sorry, Sophia, but you harbor a false idea of our half brother. He has blown through what was left of Father’s assets. He is penniless and in debt. He came here today to demand I give him our mother’s jewels so that he could sell them.”
“That can’t be true. He wouldn’t! I won’t hear another word!” Sophia dashed up the stairs, sobbing dramatically.
Anne went from hoping the day wouldn’t get worse to hoping it would end soon. Her mind played through the images of the old lady and the Fairy Steps. If magic existed, she’d gotten the most sadistic fairy of all. This was a nightmare.
Later, as Anne and Hannah finished preparing supper, Sophia came down, red nosed and puffy eyed. She said little through dinner, but then turned to Anne, malice twinkling in her eyes. “I have decided that if I cannot have Tony, I shall have Nathaniel. It is a more sensible choice, anyway. He is more mature and can provide for all of us. And since our father was a baronet and Nathaniel has no title, he should be pleased with the arrangement.”
“Are you serious, Sophia? Can you change your feelings so quickly?” Juliet demanded.
Anne felt a pang of something she couldn’t explain. The thought of Sophia and Nathaniel Matthews together just hurt. He had kissed her, not Sophia. He had held her hand. Could she step aside to allow her sister to marry him? The practical side of her brain kicked in. She had to admit that it was a better solution than borrowing money from Lady Danford. Nathaniel was wealthy enough to help them all. “Perhaps you are right, Sophia. If you truly can change your affections so easily, Mr. Nathaniel Matthews would make a better choice.”
Sophia bounded up from her chair, almost tipping it over. “Don’t worry, I can manage it. I’ll begin my campaign at the supper at the Lodge.” Pleased with her new plan, she bounded up the stairs.
“Where do you think she’s going?” Juliet asked.
“Probably to work on the trims for the dress she’ll wear to snag Mr. Matthews,” Anne groused.
“Is it going to bother you when Sophia turns her charms to Mr. Nathaniel Matthews?” Juliet asked gently.
“What do you mean?”
“You like Nathaniel Matthews.”
“Sophia may have him, if she is able.”
“Do you mean that, Anne? I’ve seen the way you look at him.”
“I do not look at him.”
“Anne, do you want to give him up so quickly to Sophia? What if he’s the one?”
Anne laughed bitterly. “There is no one, Juliet. Not for me.”
Juliet covered Anne’s hand with hers. “I wouldn’t rule it out just yet, dear. I’ve seen the way he looks at you too. Sophia won’t be able to win this battle.”
Anne shook her head but couldn’t explain. The wish had apparently affected three men. She had to find a way to break the spell before someone got hurt; before she got hurt.
“Thank you,” she said simply and squeezed her sister’s hand, feeling more alone than ever.