Chapter Twelve
Nathaniel glanced at Anne walking quietly beside him. He’d give anything to know what was going through her mind. Hell, he’d settle just for knowing what her fascination was with the Fairy Steps.
Anne walked slowly. He had thought perhaps her ankle was still bothering her, but as the distance grew between her and the couple ahead of them, he became more suspicious.
Miss Sophia kept looking back at them every few minutes. Nathaniel couldn’t tell if it was to see if they were talking to each other or if they were doing something else.
Frankly, he’d love to be doing something else with Anne Townsend.
“What brings you all the way out here, Nathaniel?” Anne asked.
He loved how she said his name.
“Just walking. What brings you here?”
“Sophia wanted to see the steps.”
Anne kept her eyes focused on the uneven ground. Nathaniel ground his teeth, then forced himself to relax. “Odd, given that you’ve lived here for five years. I would have thought she would know about the place.”
Anne stumbled, but caught herself quickly. “Oh, well, uh. She usually walks to the village rather than up here.”
“It seems as though you’ve made peace with your sister.”
Anne smiled. “We are progressing. I think John’s coming here has helped a great deal. Now she sees what I’ve had to deal with.”
Nathaniel stopped and caught her arm. He waited until she looked up at him. “You know, Anne, you don’t have to take things upon yourself so much. There are . . . friends who would help.”
“I know.”
Want and need filled him. Despite her denial, or rather her lack of response yesterday, he still wanted her. She had more honor than most men he knew. “Any more visits from Mr. Jones?”
Anne frowned. “It’s odd, but no. I can’t imagine he would just arrive, threaten us, and then leave.”
“Men like him are like snakes. They lie in wait for the right moment to strike. Has Sir John been giving you any more trouble?”
“We don’t see much of him. He sleeps most of the day away and is out somewhere most of the night.” Anne paused. “I don’t think he’s staying in Beetham, but I’m not quite sure how he’d get to Miln-thorpe.”
“Do you want me to say something?” He found himself hoping she’d say yes. Anything to quench this uncontrollable urge to fix things for her.
She shook her head. “I can handle John.”
“Did you tell him about Mr. Jones?”
“What would be the point? He’s likely more terrified of Mr. Jones than I am.”
Nathaniel saw red. He grabbed Anne’s arm. “I can’t believe you let Sir John hide behind your skirts. Damn coward! Does he not even care that he’s put his sisters in danger?”
“I don’t have a great deal of choice in the matter at the moment.”
“Just promise me you’ll be careful.” Nathaniel released her.
Anne moved away as if she were afraid of him. Damn. The last thing he wanted was for her to be afraid of him.
“I’m sorry I was so abrupt,” Nathaniel muttered.
“It’s fine.” She gave him a slight smile. “It’s been nice to have someone else to lean on right now.” She looked at her sister, walking with Tony. “I think you were right about those two.”
“Are you sorry you pushed so hard?”
“For Sophia’s sake, yes. They both have some growing up to do.”
Nathaniel nodded but stayed silent. She obviously didn’t want to discuss consequences of the marriage not taking place. She had to be worried.
He glanced back at the Fairy Steps. Her fascination with the place bordered on obsessive.
Nathaniel thought back to the first time he’d seen Anne. He’d been watching her from a distance as he approached.
“Anne, why are you trying to climb the steps again?”
“I’m not,” she said quickly.
“Why did you have Sophia climb them?” He watched Anne carefully. Emotions flitted across her face and then he knew. It was the damned fable. Surely Anne didn’t believe in that nonsense.
Nathaniel stopped and touched Anne’s arm. He waited to let Tony and Sophia move farther away. “Have you climbed the Fairy Steps before?”
Anne glanced around her before nodding. “I’ve climbed them for years. This was just the first time I climbed without touching the sides.”
“You think you’ve been granted a wish?”
Anne blushed and looked away from him. “Yes.”
“You saw a fairy?”
“I saw an old woman.”
“What did you wish for, Anne?” He pulled on her arm to coax her closer. She didn’t push him away. Her eyes were wide and a bit frightened. “Did you wish for a husband?”
“No! Of course not!”
“What did you wish for?” He knew that desperation colored the tone of his voice but he couldn’t stop it.
Anne looked at the ground and pulled in a deep breath. “May I ask you a question?”
The change in subject startled him. Her face was serious. “Certainly.”
It took her a long time to finally speak. “If you had seen me in Town at a ball or assembly, would you have asked me to dance?”
He frowned. It felt like a trick question, but he had to answer honestly. “I don’t know.”
Anne pushed away from him. “I thought so.”
She seemed to shrink into herself. Nathaniel felt a moment of panic. What answer was she expecting? “Anne, what’s going on in that head of yours?”
“I can’t.” Her voice cracked. “I have to go.” She pulled from his grasp and ran into the woods.
“Anne, wait!” Nathaniel started after her.
“Let her go.”
“What did you say to her?” Sophia asked, her hands on her hips.
“I asked her about her wish!” Nathaniel almost shouted.
“Oh no! I need to find her.” Sophia turned to leave, then whirled back. “Is that all?”
Nathaniel rubbed his hands over his face but said nothing.
“Out with it. What else did you say?” she demanded.
“She asked me if I would have asked her to dance if we were in Town.”
“And how did you answer?”
“I told her that I didn’t know.”
“You are an idiot, Nathaniel Matthews.” Sophia turned and followed Anne into the woods.
Nathaniel could hear her muttering something like “stupid men” as she left.
She is right.
“Stupid answer,” Tony said as they watched Sophia chase after Anne. “I thought you’d figured out all the trick questions women ask.”
“I was honest. I probably wouldn’t have noticed her,” Nathaniel said angrily. “She is driving me crazy.”
“I know the feeling,” Tony said with a laugh. “Come on. Let’s find the ladies. I don’t think they should be wandering these woods alone.”
Anne ran until she couldn’t breathe. She stopped to rest against a tree. The stitch in her side was nothing to the pain she’d felt at Nathaniel’s words.
He was only being honest with her. She’d give him that.
“Anne?” Sophia shouted.
Anne wiped at the tears on her face. She had to quit letting Nathaniel hurt her so.
“There you are.” Sophia was breathing hard. “Don’t make me do that again.”
“Sorry,” Anne muttered.
“Are you all right?”
“I will be,” Anne whispered. She let Sophia hug her close. She closed her eyes and fought the urge to cry harder.
“I leave you alone to talk with a man who likes you and you ask him a trick question,” Sophia said.
“I don’t know what you’re referring to.” Anne was confused.
“You asked Nathaniel Matthews if he’d have noticed you in Town. You never ask men questions like that. They will never be able to answer in a satisfactory way. If he says no, you get hurt. If he says yes, you don’t believe him.”
Anne had no clue what Sophia was talking about. “You’re not making sense.”
“It’s a rule, Anne. You have to abide by it.”
“There are no rules like that,” Anne scoffed.
“What do you know? You’ve never had a man court you.” Sophia gave her a superior smile. “In this area, I am the expert.”
“Fine.”
Sophia started walking toward home. “So why did you ask him that question anyway?”
Anne fell into step beside her. “I can’t help but feel if circumstances were different he wouldn’t have noticed me, much less danced with me.”
Sophia turned toward her. “Good Lord, Anne, be realistic. In Town, you’d be competing with so many other women. It would take a miracle for a man to notice any of us. We lack a fortune or a title. This has nothing to do with your looks and everything to do with a lack of competition.”
Anne frowned as she thought. “I don’t know. Mother and Father always raved about how pretty you and Juliet were.”
“Didn’t they tell you the same?”
“I honestly don’t remember.”
“Anne, you are pretty. Despite every effort you make to downplay your appearance, I can see why Nathaniel likes you so much.”
“It’s not real, Sophia.”
“I don’t know. He’s not acting as crazy as Mr. Worth is.” Sophia clasped Anne’s hands. “He sees in you what Juliet and I have always depended on but never acknowledged.”
“I don’t believe it. I can’t believe it.” Anne pulled her hands free and dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief. “Why did I let it get this far?”
“How far has it gone? Have you and he—?”
“No!” She blushed. She couldn’t admit how much farther she’d let him go, given the chance. “He’s kissed me a couple of times.”
Sophia gave her a curious look. “Really? What was it like?”
“Sophia!”
“Seriously, all Tony has done is a quick press of his lips. There has to be more to it than that.”
Anne felt her face heat up. “I’m not saying anything more.”
“Anne, you’re blushing! You have to tell me now.”
“Let’s go home.” Anne grasped Sophia’s hand. “Thank you.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
Nathaniel was frantic to find Anne. He couldn’t believe she had turned the tables on him like that and twisted his words.
He was glad he hadn’t met her in London. He would have missed her completely in the crowds. It had taken coming to Beetham to open his eyes. She had completely misunderstood.
He found the sisters walking quietly back to the cottage, arm in arm. He stopped and watched them for a moment. Sophia was comforting Anne. It was about time those two were talking.
“Anne,” he said behind them. Sophia whispered something to her as they stopped. Anne didn’t turn but Sophia glared back at him. “May I speak with you?”
“I’ll stay if you want me to,” Sophia said to her sister.
“No. I’m fine.”
Nathaniel waited until Sophia was out of hearing range before he approached Anne. Her eyes were red rimmed. He felt pain in his chest for hurting her. “Anne, I’m sorry.”
“For what? Being honest?” Her voice was tight.
“You misunderstood.”
“You are allowed to be honest.”
Nathaniel took hold of her shoulders and turned her to face him. When she didn’t lift her eyes to his, he tilted her chin with his hand. “Anne, look at me.”
She finally lifted her lashes.
“I’m glad I didn’t meet you in London. The crowds in the ballroom would have kept me away.”
“You don’t like crowds?”
“No. They scare me to death.” Nathaniel smiled at her.
She smiled shyly. “I don’t think many men would admit to being afraid.”
“Especially to a pretty girl.” He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “You are pretty, Anne. Not in a flashy way like your sister, but in a quiet way.”
“Thank you for that.” She moved slightly away from him. “I should get home before it’s dark.”
“Of course, but allow me to escort you.”
She nodded and led the way back to the path to the cottage. They walked in silence. Nathaniel hated the polite coldness between them. Somehow he had to convince her that, wish or no wish, he was here to stay. He was serious and intended to make her his wife.
As they came up to the cottage, he spotted Tony and Sophia talking outside. They both looked up as he and Anne approached.
Anne immediately went into the cottage as if she couldn’t wait to get away from him. More mixed messages. Nathaniel kicked up some gravel with his boot, then heaved a heavy sigh. One step forward, two steps back. This was some crazy dance. He turned to walk back to the Lodge.
Tony fell into step beside him. “Did you fix things?”
“No,” Nathaniel said. “Not yet.”
“Perhaps the assembly will help.”
Nathaniel felt that familiar knot in his stomach. When he told Anne he hated crowds, he wasn’t kidding. The thought of so many bodies being crowded in the small ballroom at the Lodge made his pulse jump. “That’s in a few days?”
“Yes.” Tony laughed. “I have to say I’m enjoying the shoe being on the other foot.”
Nathaniel felt his face grow hot. “You know how I hate crowds.”
“You won’t get out of this one, Brother. Grandmother’s invited half the county. Besides, you’ll get the chance to dance with Anne. Do you want to pass that up? Grandmother will insist.”
“I can handle Grandmother,” Nathaniel said.
“Are you sure about that? It appears you are losing your touch with women.”
Nathaniel shot him a nasty look and cursed under his breath. He was losing his touch, but no more. He’d figure out how to convince her his intentions were honorable. First he had to dispel her belief in this fairy nonsense.
He needed to get out of the Lodge. Between Tony’s teasing and Grandmother’s knowing looks, Nathaniel was ready to explode.
He was only going to the Sheep and Crow for a pint, not to spy on Sir John. At least that was the story he was sticking with. The Sheep and Crow was rumored to serve a great ale. From the looks of the crowds as the carriage pulled in front of the old, rambling pub, Nathaniel had to agree.
He stepped out of the carriage, into the frigid night. It wouldn’t be long before the first snow fell in the Lake District.
He should be working. Piles of letters needing responses had finally found their way to him via the post. He was getting farther and farther behind, thanks to a certain lady with haunting green eyes.
A gust of cold air caught him from behind, pushing Nathaniel toward the entrance and away from his thoughts.
Tonight was about Sir John and his lack of responsibility to his sisters. The man was gambling again; Nathaniel was sure of it.
He was also sure Sir John was avoiding him. They were going to deal with each other sooner rather than later. Until Sir John was taken care of, Anne would be reluctant to accept his suit.
Nathaniel stepped into the pub. Just about every chair was occupied. The air was filled with the smell of food, smoke from the fires, and ale. Sir John was in the corner by the fire, holding court with a deck of cards in his hands. He was chatting up some of the locals.
Nathaniel made his way to the bar and asked for a pint. He threw down coin and made his way to Sir John, where he settled down with his pint to watch the card game Sir John had evidently convinced one of the men to play. It didn’t take long for Sir John to cheat. Nathaniel finished his drink and made his way to the table.
“Sir John. A word, please.” He kept his voice low. He glanced around the table. “Gentlemen.”
“Matthews. Sit down, sit down.” Sir John gathered his winnings and stuffed the coins in his pockets. “Do you wish to play a game?”
“I’d rather not.” Nathaniel looked around. “Have a pint on me, gentlemen, while I talk to Sir John.” He waited until the few men surrounding the table shuffled their way to the bar. Then he spoke to Sir John. “I’d suggest you stop cheating.”
Sir John’s nostrils flared. “I could call you out for that!”
“But you won’t.”
“Why are you here? Did Anne put you up to this?” John sneered.
Nathaniel tightened his fists. “Don’t you think you’re in enough trouble?”
John laughed. “What trouble? I’m winning.”
“By cheating. I’ll not have you digging yourself into a hole and then expecting your sister to dig you out.”
“Is Anne telling that old lie again? She is such a prude. No imagination at all.”
Nathaniel controlled his anger. “Did you know that a Mr. Jones called at the cottage?”
John’s hands stilled. “I don’t think Anne mentioned it, but then I’ve not been around much of late.” His hands shook as he gathered up the cards. “Is she all right?”
Nathaniel sipped his ale. “For now. Do you happen to know why Mr. Jones is looking for jewels?”
Sir John had the grace to look guilty. Nathaniel had thought he wasn’t capable of feeling that particular emotion.
“I may have mentioned that my sisters might have my stepmother’s jewels. I was stalling.”
“He thinks Anne is hiding them for you.”
Sir John glanced around him nervously. “Anne can take care of herself. She’s tough.”
Nathaniel glared at Sir John as he squirmed. The man disgusted him. “Tough enough to deal with Jones?”
“What do you want me to do about it? I can’t pay him.” He tossed down the rest of the ale in his glass.
The urge to slam his fist into the man’s face was almost overwhelming. Nathaniel curled his fingers into a fist. The only thing stopping him was Anne. She’d have to clean up the mess. He tossed back the last of the ale and stood. “Let’s go. You’re done for the night.”
John pouted. “I’ll have to listen to Anne complain.”
“You stay and I tell every man in this place you’ve been cheating them for the last few nights.”
“You wouldn’t!”
“Try me.”
“I can’t believe I’m letting someone like you treat me thus.” Sir John tossed a few coins on the table and shuffled to his feet. “Please tell me you brought the carriage.”
Nathaniel closed his eyes and prayed for patience. “It’s outside.”
Nathaniel led him out to the carriage and opened the door. “Get in.” Nathaniel spoke to the driver. “Take the long way to the cottage.”
“Yes, sir.”
Nathaniel climbed in after Sir John and closed the door behind him. He pounded on the ceiling to signal the driver before turning his attention back to John. “Now we’ll talk.”
Sir John sniffed. “I have nothing more to discuss with you.”
Nathaniel gave in to his anger and grabbed the man by the throat. “Fine. I’ll talk and you’ll listen.” He shoved the man back into the corner of the carriage. “You’ve brought trouble here. You are going to put a stop to things before someone gets hurt.”
“Who are you to tell me what I should do?” Sir John sneered. “I’m a baronet.”
“I’m the man you owe a great deal of money to. Now I’ve been happy to hold your vowels, but that could change.”
“Why are you so interested? Is it Anne?”
Nathaniel said nothing for a long moment. “Let’s just say I have an interest in keeping your sisters safe.”
“You mean Anne?” Sir John cackled. “You’re courting the mouse? What exactly are your intentions toward my sister?”
Nathaniel ground his teeth at the comment. He itched to beat the man to a pulp. “Why do you care?”
“I did abandon them. I wasn’t ready to be the head of the family.”
“But to leave them with nothing?” Nathaniel just couldn’t understand why a man would leave his family destitute.
“She has done well. They aren’t starving, probably thanks to her mother’s jewels.”
“According to Anne, they were sold by your father.”
“The agreement was for my stepmother to retain the jewels she brought from France when she married my father. The housekeeper seems to think that the jewels were taken from the house by Anne, that her mother gave them to her for safekeeping. My stepmother knew she was dying.”
Nathaniel pondered this. Anne had no knowledge of where the jewels could be. He believed her. “You must complete one task or I’ll have you thrown into the poorhouse: Take care of Mr. Jones.”
The carriage pulled to a stop and they exited the carriage together. From the inside of the cottage they could hear shouts.
Nathaniel’s heart stopped. Anne was in trouble.