Page 11 of Duke of Bronze

CHAPTER 11

A nna huffed and squinted at the letter on the page she had been trying to concentrate on for the past two hours, for she had been diligently trying to forget the fact that she might have wished Colin had kissed her the day before.

"There you are," her father said as he stepped into the library.

Anna closed her book with deliberate care and lifted her gaze to him with a small smile. "Papa."

"May I sit?" he asked, gesturing to the chaise by the window.

She nodded, shifting slightly as he lowered himself beside her. Titan, nestled comfortably in her lap, stirred only to crawl onto her father's legs before promptly curling up once more. Within moments, the pug was snoring.

They chuckled softly. "A most devoted companion," her father remarked, stroking the tiny dog's back.

Anna smirked. "Fiercely loyal, provided one is warm and unmoving."

He smiled but soon turned solemn. "I must admit, I did not quite anticipate your reaction to the time you are to spend with Copperton."

Anna folded her hands atop her book. "You needn't apologize for agreeing to the auction, Papa. I have already endured one afternoon with the Duke. Four more, and it shall be done."

"I worry about you, Anna. About your happiness." Her father took her hand in his, his expression troubled.

She squeezed his fingers. "I am happy as I am."

He sighed. "There are good men in the world, Anna."

"Of course, there are good men. But none for me," she scoffed.

"You might be surprised at the match you could make," he said gently.

Anna shook her head. "No gentleman would ever understand me, nor the things I value."

Her father hesitated before conceding, "Copperton's reputation is… questionable, I know."

"Precisely," she said, lifting a pointed brow. "And yet, you placed me in his path."

"We are diligent with the chaperoning."

She laughed, leaning forward to kiss his cheek. "Indeed, you are."

Her father smiled but said no more. With a final squeeze of her hand, he rose and left her to her book. She had barely returned her attention to it when a knock sounded at the door.

"Enter," she called.

Miss Watson strode in, clutching a gossip sheet with the sort of urgency typically reserved for actual emergencies. "My lady, you must see this!"

Anna took the paper warily and unfolded it. Her eyes skimmed the words and her stomach tightened with each ridiculous line:

The Duke and the Wild Spinster waltzed at the Duchess of Giltford's ball. How utterly in love they looked! In fact, the Duke was laughing so much one wonders what tales the wild spinster was telling him.

Then, they were seen arriving in Regent's Park the day after, again appearing entirely smitten with each other. The wagers are increasing, and those betting the Wild Spinster will be married before the season's end grow larger in number.

Will there truly be a wedding? Or will this be an unforgettable courtship that finally fizzles into nothing?

With a growl of frustration, Anna crumpled the sheet into a ball and hurled it across the room. "That cankered fool!" she seethed. "Writing and spreading such nonsense! He should be ashamed of himself, whoever he is."

Her breathing came fast, and the very walls felt closer and more suffocating. She needed air.

"Blast it!"

Anna scowled at the slate-gray sky just as a raindrop landed squarely on her nose. Wrinkling it in irritation, she gathered the hem of her worn skirts with her free hand and stepped over a puddle.

Whitechapel's streets were as grimy as ever, but at least they served as a welcome distraction. Anything to keep her mind from drifting to Colin. He had prevented her from sleeping well. He would not prevent her from going about her day.

Anna needed purpose to anchor herself against him and the ton's gossip, and an afternoon spent here might just be enough. She reached her destination and slipped through the door. The moment she stepped inside, delighted voices called out.

"Anna!"

Small feet pounded across the floor before a little girl hurled herself into Anna's legs, clutching tight. Anna looked down into Martha's beaming face just as John and Abraham followed suit, nearly knocking her over in their excitement. Their chatter overlapped, words tumbling out in breathless bursts as they all vied for her attention.

Laughing, Anna ruffled John's unruly curls. "One at a time, you little rascals! How is a lady meant to understand anything when you speak all at once?"

Martha tugged on her cloak, her blue eyes wide and hopeful. "Did you bring us any sugarplums?"

Anna arched a brow. "And what if I had not?"

Martha's lower lip trembled most dramatically. "Oh, that wouldn't be a problem."

Rolling her eyes, Anna reached into the basket she carried and retrieved a small box of sweetmeats. The delighted shrieks nearly deafened her as the children darted off to share their prize.

"You spoil them."

Anna turned to see Jane wiping her hands on her apron, shaking her head even as a smile tugged at her lips.

"Do they not deserve to be spoiled?" Anna countered with a grin.

Jane let out a quiet huff of amusement. Anna set the basket down on the table and retrieved a porcelain bowl, pressing it into Jane's hands. "Lydia's liniment."

Jane's eyes widened as she traced the delicate floral design. "This looks far too fine to be holding liniment."

Anna shrugged. "Then display it on the mantle when it's empty."

Shaking her head, Jane helped unpack the basket. Anna pulled out wrapped parcels and set them aside. "I had planned to make Lydia some broth myself, but time did not permit. I brought meat and bones, so we may prepare it together."

Jane's breath hitched as she took in the fresh bread, cheese, and jam. Tears shimmered in her eyes, but before she could speak, Anna held up a hand.

Jane laughed through her emotion. "You do not even know what I was going to say."

Anna smiled, her voice gentle. "I know." Then, with quiet conviction, she added, "We are friends. And besides, Roderick saved my life. That is a debt I will never be able to repay."

Jane scoffed. "He only pushed you out of the way of a carriage."

Anna lifted a brow. "A carriage that was speeding. The horse could have been mad."

That, finally, made Jane laugh. But the mirth faded as she glanced toward the closed door leading to Lydia's room. Her voice lowered. "She is not improving." Jane swallowed. "When she coughs, there is blood." She paused, as if steadying herself. "The physician says we must ensure she is comfortable."

Anna's heart clenched. Without thinking, she pulled Jane into an embrace. "Everything shall be well."

Jane sighed, her worry settling upon Anna as they held onto each other.

They turned to preparing the broth, working in companionable silence as they filled a pot with water and hung it over the fire. As Anna stirred, she asked, "Where is Roderick?"

Jane sighed. "He has a fight today."

Anna arched a brow. "A good thing I brought extra liniment."

Jane let out a breathy chuckle. "He will need it."

As the broth simmered, they settled at the table with cups of tea. Jane regarded Anna carefully. "And how fares life among the ton ?"

Anna rolled her eyes. "Uneventful as ever."

Jane smirked. "Roderick fights again tomorrow. You should come watch."

"I shall consider it." Anna tapped a finger against her teacup.

A peal of laughter caught her attention. She turned to see Martha grinning at her, a chunk of sugarplum wedged between her teeth. Anna's chest tightened. I am not doing enough for them. They refused to accept money, but surely there was something more she could do.

Heavy footfalls outside broke her thoughts. A moment later, the door swung open, and Roderick strode in, weary but grinning. The children squealed and ran to him. He lifted each of them in turn, tossing them into the air before setting them down with exaggerated groans.

His gaze found Anna's, and it was warm. "Does your father know you are traipsing through Whitechapel?"

Anna smirked. "If he ever did, he would surely faint dead away."

"How fortunate for you, then," Roderick chuckled.

She eyed the fresh bruise along his brow. "How went the fight?"

His grin widened. "Can the Mighty Stone be defeated?"

Anna let out a soft laugh. "Perhaps someday."

"This was only the first in a new championship," he added, but an odd expression moved in his eyes.

Anna frowned. "Is something the matter?"

He hesitated. "It is nothing."

She let it pass, for now. Jane poured him tea, then gestured toward the basket. "Anna brought liniment for you and Lydia."

Roderick looked at Anna, something softer in his expression. "Do you ever tire?"

Anna merely smiled, but the thought surfaced once more. I never do enough.

Later, once the broth was ready, she bid them farewell, promising to attend Roderick's fight. She stepped into the street, pulling her cloak tighter against the evening chill.

Then she saw a young man standing across the road, watching her.

At first, she paid him no mind. But as she moved, his gaze followed her; sharp, assessing, and as though he knew exactly who she was.

A chill crept down her spine, and she pulled her cloak tighter, quickening her pace down the street.

"Enter." Colin barely glanced up from the papers on his desk as a knock sounded at the door. Fisher stepped inside, bowed, and positioned himself in front of the desk with his hands clasped neatly behind his back.

"Your Grace, my trip to Whitechapel proved productive."

Colin set his quill aside and leaned back in his chair. "Go on."

"Roderick Millard is competing in the championship. His first fight was today, and from what I gathered, he emerged victorious. However, he finds himself in need of a new sponsor."

Colin arched a brow. "What happened to his previous sponsor?"

"I heard there was some disagreement between them."

"Do you know the nature of this disagreement?" Colin's fingers tapped idly against the desk.

"No, Your Grace. It was difficult enough to learn that much. Millard keeps his affairs guarded."

Colin nodded before motioning for Fisher to continue.

"There is indeed a woman named Lydia living with him," Fisher said. "But she hasn't been seen outside in years. Some even believe she is dead."

"What is Lydia's last name?" Colin's brow furrowed.

"I could not find that out. It seems Roderick is fiercely protective of her. If he does not wish for anyone to know something, then no one does."

Colin sat back, drumming his fingers against the armrest of his chair as he considered the implications. A woman hidden away. A message concerning his father. And a man willing to sever ties over some unknown quarrel.

What does Lydia know?

"What else?"

Fisher shifted his weight and glanced momentarily at the floor before clearing his throat. "I saw someone else. A woman."

Colin frowned. "And?"

"She looked exactly like…"

Colin's stomach tightened. "Lady Anna Sutton."

Fisher gave a single nod. "Yes, Your Grace."

His thoughts raced.

If I thought I saw her, and now Fisher believes he did too, then she must have been there.

"Are you certain?"

"I am, Your Grace. And she was coming out of Roderick's house."

"She knows Roderick?" The words left him before he had time to fully process them.

Colin sat motionless for a long moment, absorbing the revelation. He could not make sense of it. Anna, in Whitechapel, and she seemed to be linked to Roderick. How does my own mystery tie to her?

He looked up at Fisher at last. "We need to get to the bottom of this. We need to find the truth."