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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“ Y ou seem a little… concerned, sister. Is everything all right?”

Anna forced herself to refocus her mind on her sister and the ongoing festivities that surrounded them, compelling her attention not to wander back to her home and the dear child she had left behind.

“Everything is fine… I hope. I am simply not used to being this talked about in such a setting. I expected that people would be curious about me and what I had been doing in the time I had stayed away. But I had underestimated just how… severe, their curiosity could be. I half expect them to stand on my head and look down on me as they interrogate me for information.” She gave her sister a mock shudder.

Leah chuckled lightly. “I believe their fascination with your return is likely due to your title, sister. Had it been anyone else, they probably would have not glanced at them twice – a few whispers might circulate, at most. But the seemingly most unattainable duke gets married to the daughter of a baron, and then, they are not seen in public together for nearly a year. Tongues will certainly wag, surely, because they have nothing better to do. Pay them no mind.”

Truthfully, the weight on Anna’s mind had nothing to do with people’s view of her and her marriage. Perhaps it might have bothered her on any other day, but currently, her thoughts were centered on the fact that she had not been away from Nicholas for this long.

What if something went wrong? What if he had fallen ill? What if Eloise did not know what food to give him if he wasn’t in the mood for what had been prepared?

“And Nicholas? Is he well? Has Eloise been helpful?” Leah questioned, as though it was obvious where Anna’s thoughts lay.

Anna couldn’t help but smile, her unease subsiding for a moment as she thought of the little boy her heart had grown fond of.

“He is quite well. I feel as though he’s getting bigger every day! Oh, Leah, I had no idea taking care of a child would be so tasking – and yet, so rewarding. He is such a wonder to behold and Eloise – she has been truly.

She was plagued by numerous concerns and without Julian by her side to distract her with his sensible words, Anna was rapidly falling apart. It was odd, to say the least, how quickly she had grown to rely on her husband – an occurrence she never knew was possible.

Everything that had happened thus far dwelled within a realm of impossibilities and she could feel herself sinking into it, a part of her wanting nothing more than for these moments to linger for longer.

“I am glad to hear that. You have done remarkably well, watching after him thus far. Depending on if – or rather, when, his parents are found, they will be very grateful for all you have done for their child.” Leah told her reassuringly.

Something in Anna deflated at the mention of Nicholas’ parents. Even though the search for them was still ongoing, she couldn’t help but feel a little distrustful of them, after they decided to abandon him.

Before she could voice her hesitation, a man approached them.

“Pardon me,” he greeted with a bow. “I couldn’t help but notice you radiant women from across the room. Forgive my forwardness, but I feared I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I did not tell you how breathtaking you are.”

Leah glanced at Anna, and then she smiled politely.

“Thank you, sir –”

“Lord Brownstone, Earl of Brownstone,” he introduced, bowing again. “I have been away from London for quite a while, and I have only returned for the purpose of finding a wife –”

“Look elsewhere. They are already married.”

Anna felt her body tense up slightly in surprise as an arm wrapped around her, relaxing a moment later when she realized just who was holding onto her.

The stranger looked a little embarrassed, glancing between them uncertainly.

“Oh. I did not realize – I am sorry –”

“Perhaps you should learn to think a little, rather than spewing whatever thoughts have slipped into your mind. And stay away from other men’s wives.” Julian stated with a glare.

Lord Brownstone coughed uncomfortably, and sauntered away quickly, mumbling under his breath. Anna expected her husband to take away his hold on her, but he only tightened his grip as he turned to face Leah.

“Lady Greenrow. Good evening.”

Leah curtsied delicately, the smile on her face widening slightly at the sight of her sister’s husband.

“Good evening, Your Grace. I did not expect that our first meeting would be under such… circumstances,” she said.

“Neither did I. Thank you, for recommending a nursemaid, for Nicholas. My wife has been going above and beyond for the boy and was very nearly disregarding her own health in the process. The additional help was much needed.” Julian nodded.

Anna tried to wriggle away, gasping when he pulled her impossibly closer as Leah replied with a little laugh.

“That’s Anna, ever ready to give her all to whatever cause she deems worthy. I am glad I could be of assistance.”

Julian dropped his gaze to Anna who was starting to feel a little too warm in his grasp, and he asked softly,

“Would you like to dance with me, wife? It would be a shame to come all this way for such an event, only to not spend even a moment of it enjoying ourselves.”

Anna blinked, pleasantly taken aback. She did not expect that her husband would be interested in spending any time with her, but oh, how the closeness between them drove her wild with want.

“A-All right. I would be honored, dear husband,” she smiled up at him softly.

Julian seemed pleased with her response, momentarily shifting his attention back to her sister.

“It was nice to meet you, Lady Greenrow. You have my gratitude, once more.”

“The pleasure is mine, Your Grace. Thank you for looking after my sister.” Leah responded with a grin, winking at Anna, who blushed deeply.

Julian tilted his head in the direction of the dance floor, asking lowly.

“Shall we?”

And in a moment, the worries that had plagued Anna’s mind all even fell silent and she slipped her hand into her husband’s, shyly nodded.

“Yes. Let’s.”

Julian felt disconcertingly out of character.

It had been one thing for his gaze to constantly follow Anna around the ballroom, unable to keep his attention off of her for long moments. It had been another thing to be blinded by jealousy as a man had approached his wife and her sister, his eyes carrying stars and the obvious intention he had.

It was clear the man did not know who she was and had not bothered to ask, as that was the only way he would have had the gall to approach a married woman so blatantly.

But even in idea of a misunderstanding had not stopped Julian’s veins from flooding with wrath, ready to show this stranger just who he had trifled with.

But as he had held onto Anna, felt the warmth of her presence seeping into his skin again, the irritation that had bubbled beneath his skin dissipated rapidly. The look of surprise and mild relief in her eyes had nearly pushed him to kiss her senseless, there and then.

It was infuriating, how easily her existence seized control of his body and mind. He could never seem to help himself with matters concerning her, and it only further alerted him of how dangerous she was.

“I did not expect you to be such a proficient dancer,” Anna murmured as he guided them through a waltz.

“Why did you expect otherwise?” he asked, curious.

Anna avoided his gaze, her eyes twinkling as she looked around the room, smiling at the other dancing couples around them.

“Well… you did not seem like the sort who would like to dance. You are more likely to be found brooding handsomely in a corner, causing young maidens to whisper about your identity and swoon over your glare.” She said.

Julian stifled a sigh, finding her claims ridiculous.

“I received all the necessary etiquette training required of the heir of a dukedom as a child. Learning to waltz was a task I had accomplished by the time I was eight years of age. It doesn’t matter whether or not I prefer to engage in this activity…

but I cannot say that I mind it so much at this moment,” he responded, pulling her closer than was needed at the end of his statement.

He really could never get enough of the way color filled her cheeks, how Anna’s gaze wavered as she tried to summon the courage to face him head-on, ultimately falling and trying to hide in plain sight.

Julian wanted to tease her a little more but relented, simply thankful that she seemed to have lost the tension she had carried for most of the night.

It hadn’t taken him too long to notice that her focus had not made it past the foyer of their home, likely still hovering over the little boy she had spent nearly every waking moment with, ever since he had shown up at their door.

He understood that she possibly worried about his well-being, but he had intended for their attendance at the ball to serve as a chance for her to leave Nicholas’ care up to someone else. But she had only grown more and more anxious the further away they got from the house.

Something sharp had twisted into his heart as he watched her haunt herself with pointless worries, and before he knew what he was doing, he had asked her to dance with him.

Now, she was here in his arms, looking like a goddess beneath the soft lamplight, the jewels in her hair and around her neck sparkling like stars, giving her a more ethereal look with every moment that passed.