Page 33 of Corrupting his Duchess

And yet… Everyone was watching them.

She took a breath. She had to speak to him. Tonight.

As the door clicked shut behind them, an awkward hush fell.

Gretchen cleared her throat. “Well. I have correspondence to finish.”

“I should check on my mother,” Sophia added quickly.

One by one, the ladies began to make their exits, voices dropping as they murmured their goodbyes, leaving Anna to her thoughts.

CHAPTER 6

The corridor outside the drawing room was cloaked in quiet. A breeze stirred the curtains at the far end of the hall, and the candlelight cast long shadows on the walls. Anna stood near the staircase, her shawl wrapped loosely around her arms, her thoughts too tangled for rest.

Behind her, a soft voice broke the stillness.

“You find the night too restless for sleep, Lady Anna?”

Anna turned. Lady Sophia approached in a robe of fine muslin, her hair falling in soft waves, loosed from its usual pins. She held a small book in one hand but did not appear to have read a word of it.

“I might say the same of you, Lady Sophia,” Anna replied with a polite smile.

Sophia returned it with quiet ease. “Indeed. I find houses such as this are never entirely at rest. The silence has a way of stirring the mind.”

Anna inclined her head. “Too many thoughts, perhaps. Or too much company.”

Sophia stepped closer and leaned lightly against the banister. “There is always much to observe in a gathering like today’s. Picnics are rarely as simple as they appear.”

Anna gave a light laugh. “I am beginning to see that.”

Sophia studied her, calm and composed. “You seemed rather distracted this afternoon.”

“I did not mean to be.”

“No one said it was inappropriate.” She looked at Anna with a faint, unreadable expression. “Though I confess it is not every day one sees my brother engaged in such pointed conversation.”

Anna’s breath caught, but she lifted her chin. “I hope I did not overstep in speaking so plainly to him.”

“You did not. Henry is not easily offended.” Sophia paused. “Nor easily swayed.”

Anna folded her arms more tightly. “I wonder if anyone ever sways him.”

Sophia’s mouth curved faintly. “On occasion. Though he would never admit to it.”

Anna turned slightly, as if to look down the corridor. “He is… very certain of himself.”

“Too much so, at times,” Sophia said with a note of dry affection. “But it is a quality that serves him well.”

A beat of silence.

“Lady Sophia,” Anna began hesitantly, “I would not wish to be the subject of idle speculation.”

“You are a guest,” Sophia said evenly. “And I believe we have become friendly over the course of this visit. That is all that concerns me.”

Anna nodded slowly. “I thank you. I have grown fond of your company.”

“As I have of yours.” Sophia’s voice softened, but her bearing remained composed. “These gatherings can be stifling, particularly for those not inclined to play at things. It is nice to meet someone else who does not.”