Chapter Twenty-One

 

Were there any people more friendly in all of London than those around Colin at this very moment? He gave this question a great deal of thought as he gulped down another mug of ale. The two men from the working class who had joined them were quite pleasant and had included him in their conversation. The tavern maid had been most welcoming and was attentive to Colin’s every need.

Colin had made a mistake naming Anna as simply a friend. Yet how could he describe their relationship? She was a woman who captivated him. One whose beauty took a hold on him. But there had to be more to their association than attraction. His indecisiveness, however, had led Johnathan to believe Anna was available for the taking.

Never had anyone been more wrong.

Standing above the man, Colin had clarified that misunderstanding. Although he had not said it outright, he relayed a message with his tone.

She is mine. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way!

Johnathan had moved back so quickly, Colin wondered if the man would topple over in his chair. But once the drinks arrived, the laughter had returned. Anna was safe.

And he would always keep her safe.

“If ye can’t find work in London,” Alan was saying, “then ye can’t find work anywheres. That’s why me an’ Johnathan came ‘ere last month. Pay’s better, but the rents’re higher. But it’ll all work out in the end. Or at least that’s what I’m hopin’.”

Colin nodded in agreement. What a wonderful opportunity to be one of them! “Better wages for us all, boys!”

The men roared their approval, much to his delight, and then left the table, leaving Colin alone with Anna.

Suddenly, the room burst out in song. Many of the patrons rose from their seats and clapped to the music as the barmaid began dancing.

Colin thought of the many balls he had attended in his life with their sophisticated food and drink and well-dressed orchestras. None of that compared to what he was experiencing this night. This was a working man’s party, and Colin wanted nothing more than to immerse himself in it.

The barmaid smiled at him and, to his delight, motioned him to join her. She was pretty enough, but he was not attracted to her. Not the way he was attracted to Anna. Yet he was here to have fun, and fun he would have!

Leaping from his seat, he joined her in the festivities. Ale sloshed over the rim of his mug and onto the floor. “I’m terribly sorry,” he said, nearly shouting to be heard over the din. “Send me the bill for any damages.”

The barmaid roared with laughter. “Ain’t you a funny one? What’s your name, handsome?”

“Colin,” he replied.

“I’m Elsie. How come I ain’t seen you here before?”

The song ended— or at least the music came to stop. He was unsure what song had been played— and Colin came to a standstill. “This is my first time here,” he said. “To be honest, it’s my first visit to a tavern of this… caliber.”

You dolt, Colin! came a voice through the haze that was his brain. If you wish to remain incognito, you mustn’t give away too much information about yourself.

“What I mean to say is that this is my first visit to a tavern on this side of London.”

Elsie barked another laugh and placed a hand on his arm. “I think you need another drink. What do you think?” Colin nodded. Then, to his surprise, she squeezed his arm muscle and smiled. “Mmm. I like that.”

He downed the last of his ale and set it on a table full of other empty mugs.

“Are you having a pleasant time?” Anna asked.

A sudden rush of guilt came over Colin. Was she upset with him? “It seems like that barmaid plans to take you away from me tonight.”

“Who?” Colin asked. “Elsie?” He gave a hearty laugh.

Anna’s eyebrows raised. “Oh, so you’re addressing her by her Christian name, are you? I can leave the two of you alone if you’d like.”

Colin waved a hand at her. “She’s friendly enough. You know, I believe she may be interested in me as more than a friend.”

Anna gasped and put a hand to her breast. “No! Tell me it isn’t so!”

Leaning in, he whispered, “Oh, but it is. She touched my arm in a most familiar way. I’m beginning to believe that her friendliness may be more than simple kindness.” He frowned. Was he repeating himself? Ah, well, what did it matter?

“Oh, Colin,” Anna said, laughing, “do you know how wonderful you are?” She placed a hand on his cheek. “The word adorable comes to mind.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he said as Elsie returned with two new mugs of ale.

Once the barmaid disappeared, Colin focused on Anna. “I should not have left you alone to go dance.”

“No, you did nothing wrong. I understand why you did, but if you ever do it again, I’ll beat you!” She pressed a fist into his arm.

When the music resumed, Colin placed a hand on her lower back. Her sigh sent a thrill down his spine. “I’ve no doubt you would. Just as Johnathon has no doubt of what I would do.”

“Are you saying you’d fight for me?” she asked. When she bit her bottom lip, he had to restrain himself from pulling her into his arms.

“Anna, I’d do anything for you. If you wish me to defend your honor, I’ll go search him out this instant.”

She leaned in, and he found his heart thudding in his chest at her closeness. “What I’d like,” she said, “is to spend the rest of the evening with you. Come, let’s sit. Unless you plan to dance again.”

“I think I’ve done enough dancing for the time being,” Colin replied with a grin.

They returned to their seats, and Colin took a moment to look around the crowded tavern. What surprised him was the number of women who also were in attendance. They did not flaunt themselves as he would have first believed but instead joined in the laughter. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

“I cannot express how delightful this evening has been,” he said. “I’ve drunk ale, danced to lively music, and spent time with the most beautiful woman in all of England.” He turned and looked at Anna. “And I do mean that. I think I’ve developed…feelings for you.”

She waved a hand at him. “You’re just saying that because of the amount of drink you’ve had.”

“No, I swear to you that it has nothing to do with the drink. From the moment I awoke beneath the tree and gazed upon your lovely face, I’ve been captivated by your beauty. I find the way you perceive the world fascinating. You see it with the honesty with which you speak, and I adore that about you.”

Her cheeks went a delectable red. Then a glint entered her eye. “But I’m a bit curious about something, so I’d like to take advantage of your drunkenness.”

Colin raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

She nodded. “You said you have feelings for me. What did you mean?”

He took a moment to consider her question, which was quite fair in his opinion. “I’ve never cared for anyone the way I do you. But when one considers how we met and the short amount of time that we’ve known one another, it’s ludicrous.”

Anna laughed. “Ludicrous? Do you mean your belief that I stole your coat?”

“Why would I not?” he asked. “Is that not what you did?”

“Even if that were the case— and I’m not admitting to any wrongdoing— but, even so, it no longer matters.” She jutted out her lower lip, causing his throat to go dry. “You see, I’ve come to have strong feelings for you, too.”

Colin forced himself to take a drink. He had so much he wished to tell her, but he worried that what he had to say would only complicate matters. He wanted nothing more in this world than Anna, but he was also well aware that it could never happen. Which would only hurt her in the end. No, he could not do that to her.

“I say we explore our feelings for one another this week,” he said. He refused to make any promises he would be unable to keep.

“I would like that,” she replied. “Just promise me you’ll not run off with the barmaid.”

Colin glanced at the redheaded woman and laughed. Another man had wrapped his arms around her and was nuzzling her neck. “Alas, it appears the Baron of Missing Teeth has won her over. Never has a Remington felt as shamed as I do now.”

Anna’s laugh sent a tingling down Colin’s spine. He could listen to that sound for the entirety of his life and be forever happy.

“I believe I’ll have another,” Colin said. “You?”

She glanced down at her mug. “I’ve not finished this one,” she replied. “But you go on. This is your night.”

Their conversation turned to a variety of topics, and Colin found himself imagining them as a couple. His days would be filled with joy and honesty, for Anna spoke her mind. Another trait for which he adored her.

“I’ve heard all sorts of rumors about the Remingtons,” she replied in response to a question he had asked. “Most of them have to do with illicit affairs and dubious business practices.”

Colin sighed. “If I could offer an argument, Miss Silverstone, I would. Sadly, what you’ve heard is true. Oh, there are a few of us with scruples, but not many. Caroline and Evelyn, for example, are kind souls who would never hurt anyone.”

“And what about you?” she asked. “Are you a kind soul or a man who breaks women’s hearts?”

Colin choked on his ale. Once he was able to breathe again, he replied, “I would never break a woman’s heart. After all, I’m a duke.” He added the last with a firm nod.

What he had expected was to make Anna laugh, but instead, she wore a frown. “It’s not because you’re a duke. It’s because you’re Colin. Never forget that.”

He grinned at her. “Very well, I will not forget.”

Elsie walked up and set two more mugs of ale in front of them. Then she winked at Colin and walked away.

Anna gave a dramatic sigh. “It appears I have indeed lost you to a barmaid,” she said. “Miss Caroline will never forgive you, you know.”

This had them both laughing, and soon their conversation moved to other subjects. It was not long before the room began to spin around him.

“Anna,” he said through a tongue so thick he had to force the words, “I think… I wish to inform you that I’m quite drunk”

She stood and walked to stand beside him. “You certainly don’t need to tell me that,” she said with a wry smile. “I say we get you back to the hotel and into bed.”

“I believe you may be right.” Colin stood, and if he had not been using the table to steady himself, he would have fallen when the floor shifted beneath his feet. He placed a handful of coins on the table, and Elsie rushed over and scooped them up without counting them. Had he given her too many? Ah, well, what did it matter? He had plenty.

“Here, put your arm around me,” Anna said. And to his delight, she placed an arm around his waist.

Somehow, he managed to stumble out the door and into the street.

“It’s dark out,” he said as he glanced around them.

“That’s what happens when the sun sets,” Anna said. “Does this aspect of nature fascinate you?”

“Oh, how you do torment me,” he said around the tongue that had grown to twice its size. “You know, I think you enjoy torturing me. And don’t deny it. You know it’s true.”

Anna sighed but did not respond.

“See! You’re doing it again!”

She laughed and rested her head against his side. “Colin, we are in London. We drank a great deal of ale— or rather, you drank a great deal of ale. We laughed and talked and had a most wonderful evening. Thank you for everything that you’ve done for me.”

At the end of the street, Colin came to a stop and turned to face her. “There’s no need to thank me,” he said as he touched her cheek with the back of his hand. Oh, but how soft her skin was! “It is I who am in your debt.” Dipping his head, he kissed her soft lips.

He wished to kiss her for hours, but he had enough sense still in him to know better, despite his inebriated state. Therefore, he pulled back, took her hand in his, and they resumed their walk back to the inn.

When they arrived at his room— he was glad they had no cumbersome stairs to traverse— Anna helped him into bed. Not for the first time, he felt how rough her hands were. The callouses told a story of a life of hard labor. If he could change that for her, he would. She deserved to be served. To wear the finest clothes. And to never work again.

“Stand still,” she admonished as she tried to remove his coat.

Colin frowned. “But I am standing still…” he glanced at the moving walls. “Oh, perhaps I’m not. Maybe I should sit.” He dropped onto the bed and reached down to pull off a boot. “They’re stuck,” he grunted. The room shifted again, and the next thing he knew, he was lying on his side. “I can’t get up.”

“Oh, Colin, you’re so funny. Here, lie down and put your feet up. I’ll get these boots off for you.”

“Perhaps I can get a kiss first,” he murmured as he pulled himself up into a sitting position and puckered his lips.

“What you’ll get is a right punch,” Anna said as she pushed him in the chest, so he landed on his back. She lifted first one leg and then the other onto the bed, now bereft of their boots.

He closed his eyes to stop the room from spinning around him, and soon his lids became as heavy as sandbags. The mattress moved as Anna sat on the edge of the bed and took his hand in hers.

He wanted to speak, to tell her how happy he was, how spectacular the evening had been. How the feelings he had for her were difficult to explain but wonderful at the same time. But no matter how much he tried to move his lips, they refused his weak commands.

Before sleep overtook him, he heard her whisper, “When I first encountered you, you were nearly as drunk as you are now. This time, however, I find you far more handsome, if that is possible.”

Once more, Colin attempted to say how beautiful he thought she was, but before he could, he was asleep.