Chapter Eighteen

 

Although the events of two days earlier still pained Anna, she pushed them aside to allow a sense of excitement about her journey to take over as she made her way to meet Colin. She owned no luggage or bags, so what meager items she brought with her she had placed into a bundle, tying the corners of the fabric to keep it all together. She had never been embarrassed by what she did not have, and she would never allow herself to be so now.

As she crossed the fallen tree, a new thought came to mind. What if Colin already left? Could the women who he had been with yesterday have enticed him away? That concerned her far more than if he had simply gone without her.

Well, worrying before one knew the truth never got anyone anything but a sour stomach.

Ignoring the path she typically took to work— the one that led to the river— she followed a separate, less-used trail that snaked through a large field and came out at the front of Redstone Estate.

Two black carriages sat in front of the house, each with its own driver. Colin paced back and forth in front of one, his hands clasped behind his back and mumbling to himself.

As if he should be the one perturbed, she thought with annoyance. It was not he who caught her with a man whispering honeyed words in her ear!

Regardless, she needed him if she was to meet her father. She despised the idea of using him in such a way, but he clearly wanted to lend his aid despite the fact he had no romantic interest in her. Not anything lasting. Which was perfectly fine. Falling in love with a titled man only to be left alone with two children as her mother had was not the future she wanted.

Colin looked up as she approached. “Oh, Anna, I’m so glad to see you. I cannot tell you how sorry I am about yesterday. If you’ll just give me a few moments before we leave, I can explain.”

“There is no need, Your Grace.” He winced at her formal address, but she ignored it. This was all for the best, anyway. “You’re a duke. Who am I to think you’ll not be spending time with your kind?”

An image of the lady leaning in to whisper in Colin’s ear came to mind. Oh, how she would enjoy teaching that chit a lesson if their paths crossed!

Then she shook her head. No, she was the one learning a lesson here. She was not foolish enough to believe that he would fall in love with her and then propose marriage. Dukes simply did not marry women like her. And what kind of duchess would she be?

One who would be mocked by Colin’s friends, that’s who. At least she finally had her head out of the clouds and her feet firmly planted on the ground.

“If you’re still willing to take me to London, your carriage is most welcome. I have no money at the moment, but if you’re willing to accept payments, I’ll send you a set amount on a monthly basis until it’s repaid. With interest, of course. I don’t accept charity.”

Her breath caught when he took her hands in his. But he wore such a contrite look, she did not pull away.

“Please, listen,” he insisted. “Markus arranged that outing without my knowledge. I didn’t know about it until he introduced the ladies, and by then, I could not simply decline without being rude. Have no doubt, I did have words with him about his behavior and went to call after you, but you were already gone.”

Anna considered his words. She did recall hearing his voice.

Then she glanced down as Colin gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “That will never happen again,” he said.

Many men had promised Anna the stars and moon for a chance to call on her. Every time, she could hear the insincerity in their words. Yet, as she looked into Colin’s eyes, she could see he was different.

She believed him. Why, she did not know, but there it was. Her anger and sadness dissipated, and a certain calm replaced them. Her worry over the last days had been for nothing. Colin did care and that was enough for her.

With her hand still in his, she said, “Thank you for coming to my defense.”

“I always will,” Colin said. “Now, we should go before it gets too late.” He took her bundle and led her to one of the carriages. “You’ll be taken straight to your hotel. I’ll be staying in my London home. I say we meet for dinner.” He explained their plans for the day ahead.

When he was finished, Anna went to speak, but Miss Caroline approached them.

“Colin, will you excuse us? I wish to speak to Miss Anna for a moment.”

He frowned. “But we really should be on our way—”

“What I wish to discuss are matters of a feminine nature,” Caroline retorted. “If you wish to hear what I have to say, then by all means, remain.”

His wide eyes and clearing of his throat said it all. “I’ll be in my carriage.” He placed her bundle in the vehicle assigned to her before stepping into his.

“You do have a fine way with words, Miss Caroline,” Anna said with a light laugh. “So? What did you want to discuss?”

Miss Caroline took her by the arm and walked several paces away from the vehicles. “I simply wanted to tell you how pleased I am.”

“Pleased? And why is that?”

“Last night, I saw a rare side of Colin. I doubt I’ve ever seen him so angry, and the fact his anger was directed toward my brother only made it all the more exciting.”

“Oh?” Anna asked. Miss Caroline had not been at the river, so how did she know?

“Indeed. I came home Sunday afternoon to find Colin and Markus shouting at one another. Apparently, Markus said something quite terrible about you, and Colin defended your honor!”

Anna had to suppress a smile. “Did he tell Master Markus that we’ve been spending time together?”

“Well, no,” Miss Caroline admitted. “He just said that no woman should be treated as you were. It was all very chivalrous. I thought for sure Colin was going to strike Markus!” Her gaze dropped. “I heard what my brother said. I want you to know that not all of us believe as he does. He’s a simpleton with too little sense. And he’s a man.” She grinned at this. “I wish you could have seen it! Colin defended you with such passion, I’d say he’s a bit enamored with you. Even if he denies it!”

Anna was stunned. Colin had said his cousin’s words had angered him, but he never mentioned how close to violence he had become! “I appreciate you saying so.”

“Well, it’s true,” Miss Caroline said. “Now, regarding this journey to London. Colin refuses to tell me why you two are leaving. I don’t suppose you’ll tell me, either.”

“I’m afraid I can’t,” Anna replied. “I don’t want you to think it’s because I don’t trust you, but it’s a personal matter that I’d rather wait to reveal. I hope you understand.”

Miss Caroline patted Anna’s arm. “You have the right to your privacy as much as anyone,” she said with a smile. “I’m not sure what I should think about you traveling alone to London with any man, even if he is my cousin, but at least he’s thought far enough ahead to see you have your own carriage. I do hope whatever business you have in London works out as you hope. But keep an eye on my cousin. I would hate to hear he got himself into some sort of mischief.”

Anna could not help but laugh. Colin and mischief were certainly not two words she would pair together. “I’m sure he’s quite capable of taking care of himself, Miss Caroline. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll do what I can to keep him out of trouble.”

Bidding Miss Caroline farewell, Anna approached her carriage. Riding atop a coach during her two journeys to London with her mother had been far from enjoyable, and Thomas’s cart was no match for the luxury of this carriage. The cushions on the benches were comfortable enough she would have preferred them to the straw mattress on her bed!

Colin poked his head through the door. “This is it, Anna. Are you excited?”

“I am,” she replied as she ran a hand across the velvet fabric. “I can’t believe that today has finally arrived. I’ve waited for it for so long.”

“I’ll see you tonight,” Colin said before moving to close the door.

“Colin, wait.”

He leaned back inside. “Yes?”

Anna studied his handsome face. Surely there was no kinder man in all of England! “Thank you again for helping me.”

That familiar smile came to his lips. “You’re more than welcome, my dear Anna. If anyone deserves to see her dreams come true, it’s you.”

When he closed the door, she leaned back into the seat. His dear Anna? Now, that had a marvelous note to it.

Oh, she had no delusions of fancy. Crossing societal lines were almost unheard of. But if they remained friends through it all, she could accept that. She would not be added to any guest lists for parties, nor did she expect it. But if he saw her as a woman before he saw her as poor, she would be happy.

The carriage moved forward, and she sighed with pleasure. If she were in Thomas’s rickety cart, her bottom would have already been sore from the hard wooden bench. How often had she returned home with aching arms from the tight grip she had to keep so as not to be tossed from the seat? All too many.

When the carriage reached the main road that led to London, her thoughts turned to her father. How many carriages did he own? Would he offer her one for her return journey? Yes, she would think so. What man would wish to see his daughter suffer any more than she already had in life?

Once he learned of her troubles, he would do the right thing. She was certain of it. Perhaps he would even join her for the journey home.

She could not help but laugh as an image of Thomas appeared in her mind. How surprised he would be! Then their father and he would talk as men did, allowing Thomas to put aside his animosity and opening up the opportunity to build what they had missed for far too long.

Amid these thoughts, another came to mind, one that excited Anna so much that her skin pebbled. Once she and her father were reunited, proof of her bloodline would be established. In time, she would adapt to the ways of the ton. People like Markus would no longer look down on her.

But more importantly, gentlemen would no longer be afraid of being seen in her company. Colin would not need to hire a second carriage. Oh, he said he did so to save her honor or some other sort of rubbish, but she could see the truth. She could not blame him. Even with a chaperone, dukes simply did not ride alone in private carriages with unmarried women. And certainly not those from the working class. Not without fear of repercussion.

Indeed, it would be she and not Lady Deborah who would be at his side. The fact was, he would have no reason not to ask to court her.

That had her swooning more than the sudden rut they hit on the road. With the money her father would give her, she could purchase a new dress. Nothing too expensive, of course, for the repairs on the cottage had to come first. But to go to a seamstress and have a dress made for her would be a far cry from the uneven stitches she created.

Yes, a lovely blue dress that would make Colin fumble his words. With such a dress, and her newly established family, Anna would no longer be seen as less than who she truly was.

As the minutes became hours, Anna watched the changing sea of landscape. Thick forests became rolling hills. Tiny villages became small, which became larger, and several hours later, they arrived in London

Despite the fact she had been to Town in the past, Anna could not stop herself from gawking. She had forgotten how crowded London was, how busy. There seemed to be more shops, more people, than before. The buildings bore down on her like a dense forest with thick underbrush. The air was thick with soot, making her cough. But the excitement remained, for this was London!

The carriage came to a stop in front of a brown brick building with a sign above the door that said, “Fairweather Inn.” She had to rein in her desire to leap out of the carriage.

“May I assist you with your things, Miss?” the driver asked with a glance at her bundle.

“No, thank you,” she replied.

The man frowned but then nodded before closing the carriage door.

Once inside, Anna studied the place that would be her home for the next couple of days with a sense of excitement. It was a modest inn with a simple counter, a handful of chairs, and not much else, but it was absolutely fantastic! The carpet that ran from the door to the counter was free of stains, and although there was a bit of dust on the windows, light shined through.

The clerk smiled at her as she approached. “Good afternoon and welcome to the Fairweather Inn,” he said. “I’m Gregory Thompson. Will you be needing a room?”

“Yes, please. I believe one has already been reserved in the name of Anna Silverstone.”

Mr. Thompson opened a ledger and ran a finger down a list of names. “Oh, yes, here we are. It’s reserved for a week, paid for in advance by the…” His brow knitted. “The Periwinkle Family? I’ve never heard of them.”

“Yes, well, you likely would not. The baron is newly titled. I’m here to supervise the cleaning of various properties belonging to the family, and he was kind enough to put me up here until I’ve completed my work.”

“Must be some housekeeper,” the clerk mumbled as he reached for a key from the many that hung on a pegboard behind him. “The room’s down the hall. Number fourteen. The tavern and the kitchen are both closed for the rest of the week. There was a fire last month, and they’re finishing up the last of the remodeling. But there are several restaurants nearby where you can be served a decent meal.”

“I appreciate you saying so,” Anna replied.

She walked down the corridor the clerk had indicated and soon found herself outside of room fourteen. The sense of anticipation grew as she put the key in the lock. An inn! She was staying at an inn. In London! How wonderful it was to be on such an adventure!

When she stepped into the room, she glanced up at the ceiling. No cracks that would have water dripping on her in the middle of the night. The furnishings were modest— a simple bed, a single chair beside a small round table, a stand that held a bowl and pitcher. But the covers appeared to be clean and without holes. The chair was sturdy despite not having a cushion. And the table did not wobble although it did have several scratches on its surface.

Several pegs on the wall allowed her a place to hang the dress and extra shift she had brought with her. She placed the hairbrush beside the pitcher and draped her nightgown over the back of the chair. It really was a very nice room. Hopefully Betty would not become jealous when she told her about it!

Colin was not to come for her for another three hours, so she removed her shoes and stretched out across the bed. Soon, her eyelids began to flutter.

With the little sleep the night before, it was not long before she fell asleep, dreaming of the blue dress she would purchase with the money her father gave her. The dress in which Colin would be able to accept her. The dress in which all of her dreams would be realized.