Chapter Nineteen

 

Colin had not been to his estate in Mayfair for nearly a year. Standing before it now, he wondered for the first time if it appealed to him any longer.

There was nothing wrong with the building itself, for the red brick that made up its facade was appealing to the eye. Wrought-iron fences created a sense of privacy, separating the footpath from the front windows and keeping anyone who had no business at the home from entering the lower level. With Regent Street to the east and Park Lane to the west, the area was the most exclusive in London.

What troubled Colin, however, was who he had to be while here. He was expected to conduct himself in a certain way, to interact with particular people, to be someone he truly was not.

Yet this week would be different. He had informed no one of his arrival— besides his resident butler, of course— and, therefore, could hope for neither callers nor invitations. If the servants kept a watch on their wagging tongues, that is.

Dismissing the driver, Colin walked to the front door. It opened immediately to Harper.

“Welcome, Your Grace,” the butler said as he took the bag from Colin.

“Thank you, Harper,” Colin said as he stepped into the foyer. It was strange, but he found himself re-evaluating everything he owned. That blue and gold Meissen porcelain vase could have fed Anna’s family for a year. The floral Dutch painting would have seen them all clothed in the finest fabrics. He sighed. “Any news since my last visit?”

“As a matter of fact, a letter arrived for you just ten minutes ago,” Harper replied. “From your cousin. He delivered it himself, Your Grace. Apparently it’s an urgent matter.”

Colin laughed. “My cousin? Harper, you do realize that I have a number of cousins. Which one precisely was it?”

“Of course, Your Grace. It was Lord Evan.” He walked over to a side table and retrieved the letter. “Your letter, Your Grace. Shall I see tea brought up to you in your study?”

“Yes. And the library will be fine,” Colin replied.

The room was not as large as the library in his country estate, but it held nearly a thousand books. Sitting in a green leather chair, Colin crossed one leg over the other and stared at the correspondence in his hand. What could Evan want? And how had he known that Colin would be in London?

Opening the letter, he began to read:

 

Dear Cousin Colin,

I’m not sure what has taken you to London, but I was summoned by your mother, who is deeply concerned for your wellbeing. Although I imagine we have much to discuss, I don’t feel comfortable doing so in writing for fear it will fall into the wrong hands. Alan, Lord Dundwhich, is hosting a party at his London home on Saturday Evening. I think it would be wise if we met there so we can speak, perhaps around seven?

 

Until then,

Evan Westlake

 

Folding the letter, Colin sighed. How could a single journey to London arouse his mother’s suspicions? No, he knew very well what concerned her. And it was not him. He had delayed the announcement of his engagement to Lady Katherine for far too long. And his mother had never been a patient woman when it came to matters of the dukedom. To her, every word spoken, every plan developed, had a reason. There was no time for spontaneous decisions.

His curiosity grew concerning his cousin. Evan had never mistreated Colin, but he had been suspected several times of swindling others, including members of his own family.

Although Colin would have preferred to spend all his time with Anna, a short meeting with Evan would do no harm. Perhaps his cousin could give him advice on his current situation. After all, he was two years older than Colin and had been able to steer clear of speaking any wedding vows as of yet. It was not as if the expectations of a baron were all that different from a duke.

Harper arrived with the tea tray, poured a cup for Colin, and then left the room with a bow. As Colin sipped at his tea, he considered his current predicament. Even if he could continue to delay the engagement, what then? Eventually, he had to marry.

An image of Anna came to mind. How unfair it was that they could not be together. Yet, proposing marriage to her would shame his position, his mother, his family, and he could not do that. Not to mention what it would do to Anna. She had no formal training, no idea what the life of a duchess would entail. Thrusting her into such a world would be unfair.

If the situation changed, if expectations allowed and lessons could be put into place, he would marry her tomorrow. But life was what it was, and he saw no way around it. Why torment himself with what was forbidden to him?

His mind returned to this morning and the guilt that had plagued him from the previous day. He was pleased that Anna had forgiven him, for the pain in her eyes had been strong. Markus had no right to say what he did. The dresses she wore were made of cheap fabric and she worked in a workhouse, but that did not make her less of a person. To him, those who labored had a reason for pride, for they earned what they had. Men such as he and Markus never had to strain a muscle, for everything was done for them.

Rising, he made his way to his study. At his desk, he took a sheet of parchment and began his reply to Evan. When he was finished, he set it aside to allow the ink to dry and started a new correspondence. This was addressed to the Earl of Leedon, the man Anna believed to be her father.

Colin paused. What was he getting himself into? How did one write to an earl about a woman who claimed to be his daughter? Had he gotten himself mired into muck from which he would struggle to free himself?

Anna had no understanding of how bloodlines worked. Many titled men had fathered children out of wedlock, and some acknowledged those offspring. If the truth were revealed, his family would be the topic of conversation at every salon and behind every fan.

Until the next scandal took its place.

But when Anna had spoken of the man, of what it would be like to meet him, Colin could not bring himself to contradict her. Perhaps not being forthright was unfair to her, but keeping the truth from her had allowed her to have her dreams. Her eyes had been so alight with hope, he could not be the one to bring the darkness to cloud them.

Then an idea came to mind. He could tell Anna he had sent the letter and that the man ever replied. Or that Leedon was away for business and was unreachable.

He shook his head. No, it was one thing to keep the truth that would shatter her dreams and quite another to outright lie so she never learned the truth.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, he began to write:

 

Dear Leedon,

 

I am writing to you today because I have a friend, Miss Anna Silverstone by name, who has a tale you may find of interest. I would call on your good graces to allow her a few moments of your time. Though you may not know her, from my understanding, you may have once been acquainted with her mother.

 

I am in London until Monday next, so please reply with an appropriate time for the two of you to meet. I’ll consider this a personal favor, and, in return, we may discuss fully the hotel venture you mentioned to me the last time we saw one another.

 

Sincerely,

Greystoke

 

 

Colin had no interest in purchasing any hotels, but if it meant scheduling a time for Anna and Leedon to meet, so be it.

Once the ink was dry, he folded and applied his seal. He glanced at the mantel clock.

“Five to four?” he gasped. He was to meet Anna in an hour. Where had the time gone?

Taking the letters, he searched out Harper, who was in the dining room polishing the silver. He rose when Colin entered.

“Harper,” Colin said as he placed the letters on the table. “I would like you to see these delivered today. I won’t be here for dinner, so please inform the cook. And remember, I want no one to know I’m here, so please see the staff keeps a guard on their tongues.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” the butler replied with a bow.

“Thank you.”

Colin returned to his rooms and removed the clothes Anna had given him. He was amazed at Anna’s brilliant idea. The clothes would be perfect for getting lost in the crowds.

Once he was changed, he surveyed himself in the mirror. How did people wear such fabrics? The twill brown cap fit well enough, as did the shirt, but the coat was a tad tight across the back. It felt strange to leave it unbuttoned, but otherwise it would pull across his shoulders. The trousers had an array of patches in various places. He prayed the fabric would hold.

Then he looked at the ring on his finger. He was a duke, not some gardener or laborer. His week at Redstone Estate would pale in comparison to what he planned to do this week. The risk could be costly, but the reward was far greater. It was time he learned who Colin truly was. Or rather who he was not.

Removing the ring, he set it on the dressing table. Despite the nakedness he felt, he turned his back on the ruby to consider a problem he had not foreseen.

How would he get to the hotel where Anna was staying without drawing suspicion? Simply leaving the house was a risk in itself, let alone traveling across Town.

Drat his senselessness! If he were a commoner like Anna, he would have stayed at her inn and bypassed all this. Then an idea came to him. He barked a laugh and headed downstairs. Harper walked into the foyer just as Colin reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Your Grace?” the butler asked, unable to hide his shock. “Is… is everything all right?”

“Indeed it is,” Colin replied. “You’re not to repeat what I’m about to tell you. No one, not even the duchess, can know of this.” Harper nodded. “I’ve taken on a small part in a play!”

The butler’s eyes nearly covered his face, but then he smiled. “Your secret is safe with me, Your Grace. And may I say how daring it is of you to do something so bold? Shall I arrange to have the carriage brought around?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Colin replied. “If I’m to get a sense for this role I’m to play, I believe I should walk.”

“Very good, Your Grace.” The butler gave him a bow. “Truly there is none like you, Your Grace.”

“I’ve been told that, Harper,” Colin said with a laugh.

Rather than going out the front door like a duke, he left through the servant’s entrance and was pleasantly surprised when no one gave him a second glance. He pulled down the hat to further hide his features and began to walk. With each step, the stress of the dukedom fell away, and the happiness of being Colin replaced it.