Page 29 of A Duke, a Virgin and a Baby

Ernest replied swiftly. “In his study, Your Grace.”

Anna nodded and turned around, heading in the opposite direction. Her heart beat was echoing in her head all the way there, clouding her mind and thoughts. She tried to practice what she wished to say and how she intended to say it, butit was hard to string a notion together to convey her feelings appropriately.

When she arrived at her husband’s study, she knocked against the door and waited with bated breath.

“Come in,” his voice ordered and she opened the door.

Julian was scribbling on a piece of paper, his expression focused.

Anna waited for him to acknowledge her, but he kept his eyes on his work, obviously leaving the floor to his guest.

“Ahem,” The duchess cleared her throat.

Julian’s hand stopped its movements and he looked up, his eyes alight with surprise once he saw who was in his study.

“Duchess.”

“Good afternoon,” she curtsied slightly. “I hope I am not interrupting your important work.”

“You’re here already. That was unexpected, in and of itself. To what do I owe the surprising pleasure of your visit?” Julian queried, leaning backwards.

Something about the way he was looking at her, and how neutral his voice was made her squirm and she clenched at her skirts as she informed him.

“I just spoke to a nursemaid my sister had recommended.”

“So, you’ve settled that issue then? When is she to begin? Is there anything you need before she —”

“I do not like her.”

Julian stated at her blankly and said, “You do not like her.”

Anna shook her head and he asked,

“Might I ask why? Did something happen during your conversation?”

Anna was at a loss for words then. To be quite fair, Katherine had been nothing but polite — if not a tad eccentric — and she seemed experienced. She would have likely done a wonderful job with any child put in her care.

But for some reason, the idea of that woman holding Nicholas made her uncomfortable and she didn’t understand why.

“I… I’m not sure. I just don’t like her.”

Anna half expected Julian to dismiss her concerns or scold her for wasting his time after sending him to look for nursemaids and then disregarding one of those he had found without reason.

But he nodded and said,

“All right, then. We shall keep up our search. We do have other options. Do not worry.”

Anna was quite shocked by his reaction, to say the least, but she appreciated his understanding. And although it irritated her to tell him, she reluctantly expressed.

“Thank you. I appreciate you understanding my plight.”

Julian waved a hand in the air dismissively.

“Just ensure that you do not neglect your well-being again.”

It is truly a fascinating thing, Anna thought to herself, how someone could manage to sound both caring and rude.

His tone was as equally impressive as it was infuriating and she couldn’t help but scoff.