Chapter Eight

 

It was pure luck for Anna that Thomas had chosen this morning to go into the village. With no one to question her activities for the day, she prepared for her outing. All three of her best dresses— meaning that they were not made of the stiff, drab burlap of her everyday dresses— lay on the bed.

The blue had yellow and pink flowers embroidered on the bodice, the yellow had a white ribbon around the waist, and the pink had tiny white lace roses sewn at the waistline. None would have been considered fashionable, the bottom edges were in dire need of re-hemming, and what little lace they had needed repair. But they were far better than anything else she owned.

Blue had always been her favorite color, so that was the one she chose. Plus, the ribbon on the yellow dress was frayed on the ends, and one of the white roses had fallen off the pink. The blue was simply the best option.

Once she was dressed, she looked at her reflection in the small, jagged mirror. There was a bit of visible discoloration in the fabric, but she could do nothing about that. She had no hats or gloves to don, and the idea of choosing jewelry made her snicker. Jewelry, indeed. What would someone like her do with jewelry? She did own a few hairpins but decided to brush out her hair and allow it to hang freely down her back. This was no ball she was attending.

Her reflection said that she would not impress Colin, but that did not bother her as it would have other women. This was who she was— a girl with nothing more than dreams. She would never allow a threadbare, outdated dress stop her from going on this picnic!

The excitement of meeting Colin washed over her anew. She had never gone on a picnic— or gone on any type of outing, for that matter— with a gentleman. The previous year, a boy her age had asked her to accompany him on a walk. She had considered accepting. Until the heavy scent of honey wine on his breath made her think better of it.

At least Colin would be different. Oh, he had also smelled of honey wine, but he was different from that boy. Not because he was a duke, for nobility could be worse than commoners in their behavior. No, she had a sense about people, and she could tell immediately that he was no rogue.

The opportunity to kiss her had arisen more than once, and Anna wished he had. The first had been when she was lying beneath him. The second soon after. But it no longer mattered. Somehow, she knew he would soon.

I need him to kiss me.

But first she thought about their meeting today.

Her mother had often spoken of the outings she enjoyed during her youth, enjoying food at a picnic as one of them. That was the reason Anna had made that particular request of Colin— to experience what her mother had.

She had been surprised at his acceptance. Dukes did not eat their meals out-of-doors without benefit of a tent and servants, did they? He was a duke. She was a Silverstone. The two did not mix, and yet somehow, they did.

She walked over to the vanity table, a crude desk with a missing leg her stepfather had procured from an estate in which he had worked. Like many of the objects in their home, it had nicks and missing pieces, but it did its job holding what few treasures she possessed.

A bottle of perfume her mother had given her rested beside an old brush. For a moment, she considered using what little was left but decided against it. She would save it for a special occasion, if one arose.

After leaving her room, she walked outside to find Christian speaking to a well-dressed gentleman. It was not unusual for members of the gentry to call, for although her brother was young, he was renowned for the fine horse he trained.

The gentleman appeared to be nearing forty with gray specks dotting his otherwise dark hair. His gaze fell on Anna, and a sly smile crossed his lips. This clodpate dared to cast sheep eyes at her while wearing a ring that said he had a wife? Men could be foul sometimes.

All too often, buyers took an interest in her and hoped to be given the opportunity to introduce themselves. But Anna detested feigning interest in conversation. Yet if it helped Christian procure a sale, she did so.

Christian had joked on more than one occasion that he should sell her and retire before his sixteenth birthday. Although they both had laughed, she had warned him not to mention that idea to Thomas in case he took it to heart.

Yet had he not considered it already? She knew a time would come that unless she found a man first, Thomas would do so for her.

With a single nod to her brother, Anna lowered her head and hurried away. Making her way through the woods, she arrived at the river. On the opposite bank, Colin paced back and forth, a blanket folded over one arm and a basket hanging from his other hand. Anna watched him with interest from behind a tree.

She allowed herself a moment to absorb his masculine form. He wore a fine dark-gray coat, and his hair was neatly combed up in the latest fashion. The ruby on his finger glinted, and she could not help but wonder what she was doing here. She was a simple girl and would likely marry a cobbler. If she were lucky. Colin was a duke, wealthy beyond anything she could imagine and could have any woman he wished. Surely even a lasting friendship between them would never be allowed.

“I see you own more than one coat,” Anna called out.

Colin came to an abrupt halt and turned.

“Do you own many?” A thrill went down her spine at teasing him, as did the smile it brought him.

“I own more than two dozen,” he replied with a laugh. “Though I only brought three to Redstone Estate. You don’t plan to take another, do you? If so, you must warn me ahead of time so I may find a tailor to replace it.”

She stepped onto the fallen log. “That remains to be decided and depends on your actions. If you fall asleep drunk, I may need to help myself to even more this time.” She leapt to the grass on the other side of the makeshift bridge and motioned to the basket he held. “I see you honored my request. Did you pack it yourself?”

“No,” Collin replied. “Mrs. Montgomery, the cook at Redstone Estate, prepared it. Does it bother you that I did not see to it myself?”

The innocence in which he asked made her nearly giggle, and she drew in a deep breath to calm the urge. “First, I learn you are a drunk. Now I see that you’re a man unable to pack a simple picnic. I fear any honor associated with your title will soon be lost.”

When Colin laughed, two deep dimples appeared in his cheeks, and she had to bite down on her lower lip. “Anna, I’ve never met a woman quite like you. Tell me, have you always spoken your mind so easily?”

“Follow me if you wish to know,” she said as she entered the woodsy area on the Remington side of the river. “I’ve never had to worry about the peerage or nobles judging me because those of us down here don’t pay them any mind. We of the working class see one another as the same and don’t bother to compare ourselves to the likes of the aristocracy. Oh, we have gossips just as your people do, but few of us care much for what they have to say. The wealthy seem to have some strange notion that being poor should make us more reserved somehow, that people like me should remain in the shadows and have no opinion on anything. But I do have thoughts on all sorts of matters. And although some refuse to listen, I see no reason I should not make the attempt to be heard. I do hope you agree, for if you don’t, I may have to leave.”

Colin laughed again. “Oh, I agree wholeheartedly. Those people who refuse to listen to you are fools, for I wish to hear your opinions on all sorts of subjects. In fact, I could listen to you all day.”

Anna stumbled, although the path was clear of roots or anything that would have caused her to trip. Drat her legs for going weak!

She stopped beneath a tree free of debris and leaned her back against the smooth trunk. How could his simple words make her feel as if she had drunk an entire bottle of honey wine?

“I find you quite intelligent,” Colin continued. “You have something about you… a passion that shines in your eyes. I don’t lie when I say that I would enjoy your company for hours on end. Perhaps even days.”

Anna could not stop the sigh from escaping her lips. Drat uncontrolled sighs! She was no lady who swooned at the slightest kind word from a gentleman!

“I’ll set up our lunch,” he said, although he stared at the ground as if it were a chained mastiff waiting to pounce on him.

“Is this your first time setting up a picnic?” she asked. “You cannot tell me you’ve never eaten out-of-doors.”

“Oh, I have. Quite often, actually,” he said as he straightened out the wrinkles in the blanket. “But this is the first I’ve ever wanted to attend. And the first that was not set up for me by a servant.”

Anna realized she was grinning like a fool and quickly looked away. When she turned back to face Colin, her heart skipped a beat to find him standing in front of her.

“Allow me to help you sit,” he said, reaching out a hand to her.

Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his. The grip was firm, protective, and Anna considered never letting go.

Once she was seated, he sat across from her, his legs stretched out in front of him as he reclined on his elbows. Never had she admired a pair of breeches more in her life.

“I do like your dress,” he said.

Anna bit at her bottom lip. “Is that so?”

“It fits you well.”

She smiled. “It appears the duke can speak his mind. Though I dare not ask what else you’re thinking.”

This had him laughing, and she could not help but wonder what had come over her.

She glanced down at her hand, which seemed to have a mind of its own as it was midway through smoothing the skirt. She had no conscious memory of asking it to do so.

“Why did you agree to this?” she asked. It was not that she did not trust him, but she had yet to come up with a reasonable explanation for such a decision. “You’re a duke, a Remington, and I’m a Silverstone. I’m sure you know our families’ history.”

“Indeed,” he replied. “I learned some of it last evening from Caroline.” He opened the basket and pulled out a bottle of wine and two glasses. “But I’m like her in that I don’t care for petty family squabbles.” He looked up at her, and her mouth went dry. “It’s no mystery why I’m here with you, and I’m willing to confess why. I wish to know more about you, Anna.”

The way he said her name sent a strange warm sensation from the pit of her stomach to the tips of her toes and fingers.

“So,” he said as he handed her one of the glasses, “what brought you to the river the other day? Besides a desire to wash your dress, that is.”

She had told this very story twice already and had no reservations in telling it again. If anything, she found she wanted to share everything with Colin.

“A woman at work, Geraldine, had been told that she was no longer needed.” Between sips of wine— which was far lovelier than anything she had ever consumed in her life— she told the events that led to finding Colin asleep against the tree. “Drunk, I might add,” she said with a laugh. “A drunk duke. Thankfully, you were not dead, which had been my first suspicion.”

“I’m afraid I cannot deny my drunkenness,” he said, raising his glass of wine. “I’ve learned that honey wine is far more potent than I would have ever suspected. I just ask— no, I beg of you, please— tell no one what you witnessed. I do have a reputation to uphold.”

“I’ll consider it before I give you my answer,” she replied, drawing a smile from him. Her gaze went to the ring he wore. “Where does that ring come from? Or was it given to you?”

Colin lifted his hand and sighed. “My father gifted it to me before he died. It has been in my family since the first Duke of Greystoke received it four hundred years ago.” He tilted his head and was silent for several moments. “It’s more than a simple piece of jewelry. It represents my title, my family name, and all I should be in life.”

Anna detected no enthusiasm, no sense of pride, in his words. Instead, his tone said that the ring was more a burden than a gift. “You wear the finest clothes, and I’m sure you are able to purchase anything your heart desires. I imagine that people bow to you wherever you go and that you receive invitations to all sorts of gatherings. How many fathers throw their daughters at you in hopes you’ll marry them?”

“Too many,” Colin said with a chuckle. “And all you’ve said is true.”

“Then why do you speak as if your life is a terrible weight you’re forced to carry?”

Twisting the stem of the fine crystal glass in his fingers, Colin said, “I know it appears that I’m just a spoiled duke complaining about his life. And that may be true. But have you never wished people to be honest with you? To treat you as the person you are rather than whom they believe you should be?”

Anna considered this question. Being poor, coupled with her family name, led to others treating her unfairly. “I suppose so. I have dreams I’d like to pursue, dreams of my own. My brother, Thomas, the one who found us here together, he believes my dreams are a waste of time. The women with whom I work think me a silly goose— except Betty. She believes in me. Men see me as an object they wish to own. Thomas wishes to sell me to the highest bidder. And none— except you— have ever taken the time to listen to what I have to say.”

That realization made her heart warm. Duke or not, Colin was a considerate listener.

He smiled. “I’m glad to be the first. And I do hope you’re able to resolve your problems.”

“As I hope you’re able to resolve yours,” she said. “Although, I’ve an answer to my problems already. Or so I hope.”

“Oh? And what would that be?”

She gave him a small smile. “As I’ve yet to put my plan into place, I’ll explain another time.”

“Very well,” Colin replied. He offered her a portion of cheese from a cloth, which she accepted along with a selection of cold meats.

“I’ve never eaten anything so delectable,” she said in awe. “The cheese has such a wonderful flavor.”

“I’m glad you enjoy it.”

Silence fell around them as they ate. Finding the quiet more than she could bear, Anna asked, “When we met, you insisted that I call you Colin, and you seemed overly pleased when I agreed. Why is that?”

“‘Your Grace’ can be tiresome after a while,” he said with a grin. “I wish to take a vacation from being a duke while I’m here.” He lifted the wine bottle, and she nodded. “Addressing me informally seems to unnerve you.”

“It’s not that,” she said, feeling the heat rise in her face. “I find your name quite handsome, and it’s comforting to say.”

She clamped shut her mouth. Now she was acting the drunken buffoon! What had made her say something so outrageous? Speaking her mind had never been a problem, but her mouth had said it without the thought coming to mind. It was one thing to be honest with a man who was in a drunken stupor, but daring to speak so intimately with one who was in complete control of his wits was quite another.

Colin, who was staring out toward where the river sat beyond the edge of the woods, did not appear to have heard. Thank goodness.

“Anna,” he said as if sampling her name for the first time. “It’s a beautiful name. Quite fitting for a woman unlike any I’ve ever encountered.”

She took a large swallow of wine to ease the sudden dryness in her throat. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she demanded in an attempt to cover the uneasiness his words caused her. She was not one who was easily distressed!

Colin threw his head back and laughed. “That’s what I like about you, Anna. You’re quick with your tongue and will strike anyone!” Then his laughter died. “I was speaking of your uniqueness, which is very much like your beauty. I’ve met nearly every lady who has set foot in London, and none can compare to you. Not in the slightest.”

When he turned to look at her, a blaze lit a fire within her, and she considered leaping into the river to cool herself.

“You’re a treasure, Anna.”

The river looked even more inviting as Anna attempted to match his gaze. “You’re handsome in more ways than one,” she said. With a trembling hand, she gave him the empty glass. The tips of his fingers touched hers, causing her heart to race and her mouth to go dry.

My, how things change in such a short time! If only Betty could see her now.

And Molly? She would have a fit!

Now the silence that fell between them was awkward as Colin repacked the basket. Had each said too much? And why had her heartbeat not slowed? Unable to take the silence any longer, she stood. Just as Colin did the same. Facing one another, Anna considered asking him for a kiss but did not. She might speak her mind, but she would not be that forward!

Prying her gaze away, she said, “You mentioned that you came to Wilkworth to escape. Although you may not wish to explain from what you’re fleeing, I want you to know that I’m willing to help in any way I can.”

“I don’t mind telling you,” Colin said. “I want to be free of my responsibilities as a duke, to be Colin for ten days. That is why I’m grateful that we met and have become friends.”

“If the girls at work knew I’ve befriended a duke,” she whispered with a shake of her head. “Yes, we are friends. And I can see now that you do need to escape being a duke.”

He frowned. “And what makes you recognize that exactly?”

She knew what he needed, what he wanted. To be seen as the man inside him, just as she wanted to be seen as a woman with dreams. “I see a man who needs change, and I would be happy to help you do that. We’ll begin slowly, so you don’t become overwhelmed.”

Colin gave her a devilish grin. “And you believe I’ll be overwhelmed, do you?”

“Most definitely,” she replied with a firm nod. “The next time we meet, leave your coat at home. And be sure to bring honey wine.”

“Next time?” he asked as if surprised. “You’d like to meet me again?” She raised a single eyebrow, and he quickly added, “I mean, I would like that.”

“Much better.” She gave him a wink and then tapped her lips with a finger. “We can’t meet at my home. Thomas might challenge you to a duel. But don’t worry, we own neither a pistol nor a sword.” This had them both laughing.

Then he took her hand in his, and the laughter died on her lips. Her head became light and her legs weak as he brushed a thumb across the backs of her fingers. “When shall we meet again?”

“I promised Henry that I’d spend time with him tomorrow, and I have housework I must see to. The day after, however, I would like you to bring a horse and meet me at the crest of the tall hill just east of here. Precisely at midday. Do you know of which hill I speak?”

“I do,” Colin replied. “Am I to teach you how to ride?”

Anna laughed and then raised herself onto the tips of her toes. “It’s I who will teach you,” she whispered before leaning in and pressing her lips to his cheek. His masculine fragrance overwhelmed her senses. “I’ll see you then.”

With wobbly legs, she walked over to the fallen log. It was only by a miracle that she did not topple over into the water below as she crossed. It was not until she reached the opposite side that she realized what she had done. She had kissed a man, a duke no less! No one would ever believe it!

Anna turned around to find Colin staring at her. She raised a hand, and he returned the wave. An overwhelming desire washed over her to return to him, but she did the sensible thing and turned to head home instead.