Page 19 of Duke of Bronze

CHAPTER 19

" I feel as though I do not know my dear Anna anymore," Aunt Petunia declared, pressing a handkerchief to her eyes with an exaggerated sniff.

"Oh, now you are simply being melodramatic, Aunty," Anna sighed, rolling her eyes as she deftly plucked a throw pillow from Titan's eager grasp. The small gray pug let out a disgruntled growl, his wrinkled face contorting into what could only be described as a canine scowl before he promptly abandoned his conquest and hopped onto Elizabeth's lap instead.

Petunia and Elizabeth had arrived unannounced that morning, just after breakfast, sweeping into the drawing room with all the enthusiasm of women on a mission.

"She promised to inform me about the second engagement so that I might assist her in preparing for it," Petunia lamented, dabbing at her nonexistent tears. "But lo-and-behold, I had to discover it in the gossip sheets, much like the first. Tell me, Lizzy, can you fathom such betrayal?"

Elizabeth, ever the diplomat, offered her aunt a soothing smile. "Oh, I am certain it must have been an oversight on Anna's part."

"It was not," Anna interjected with an unrepentant shrug.

Elizabeth shot her a pointed look and nudged her in admonition.

"Did you know what plans she had for me, Lizzy?" Anna continued, her voice carrying the full weight of her indignation. "She intended to turn me into a doll!"

Elizabeth arched a brow. "Well, that does not sound entirely disagreeable."

Anna huffed as Titan, now growing restless, began nibbling at the sleeve of Elizabeth's dress.

"My, you are like a teething child this morning," Elizabeth chuckled, gently extracting her arm from his insistent grasp.

Titan, thoroughly affronted, scowled up at her before hopping off her lap in a show of dissatisfaction. Anna laughed, unable to help herself.

"I think I shall have to be the one to keep an eye on you. Sebastian has been of no use whatsoever," Petunia declared, reaching for the morning's gossip sheet with an air of great importance.

Anna barely had time to stifle a sigh before her aunt let out an audible gasp. "My heavens! It says here that the Duke was seen in your company yesterday as well." She turned wide, expectant eyes on her niece. "Has the third outing already taken place?"

"What?" Anna snatched the paper from her aunt's hands, her brow furrowing in surprise. She had not yet read the gossip sheet that morning. Could they be referring to yesterday's visit to the hospital? Surely it was only speculation?

Her eyes skimmed the text quickly, and there, printed in all its florid embellishment, was an account of her parting ways with Copperton outside her home. The gossip sheet had gone so far as to liken them to lovebirds reluctantly separating, their farewell brimming with unspoken affections.

A scandalized sound escaped her lips before she could contain it. "Good Lord."

Elizabeth, ever quick to correct, shot her a look of mild admonishment. "Anna."

Anna ignored her and lifted her gaze to her aunt, who was watching her with barely concealed glee. "And what, pray, was this grand excursion of yours?" Petunia inquired, sounding far too delighted for Anna's comfort.

Anna hesitated for but a moment before swiftly concocting an explanation. "I happened across Copperton while taking an evening walk with the dogs. He merely saw me safely home."

Petunia pursed her lips, clearly unimpressed with such a tame explanation. "For a man to concern himself so with your safety, it speaks volumes, you know."

Anna waved a dismissive hand. "He was merely exercising good manners, Aunty. Nothing more."

Petunia hummed, a wicked smile playing about her lips. "Keep telling yourself that, my dear."

Anna narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "And what, precisely, is that supposed to mean?"

Her aunt merely took another delicate sip of her tea, offering no reply at all.

"I trust you are enjoying your time with the Duke?" her father inquired as they dined. Anna barely resisted the urge to sigh. "The gossip sheets?—"

"Seem determined not to let me breathe," she interjected, setting her fork down with a little more force than necessary.

Sebastian chuckled, shaking his head. "Come now, dear. It is hardly that dire."

Anna met her father's gaze, incredulity flaring in her chest. "They have blown everything out of proportion, Father. Have you read the lies they print?"

"It is all harmless," he reassured, reaching for his wine. "It does not matter, Anna."

"It does matter," she countered, feeling rather like a petulant child, but unwilling to hold back. "Because I do not like it."

Sebastian sighed, his amusement dimming. "Then pay it no mind."

That was the thing—she could not.

Not when the very mention of Copperton sent her heart racing.

Not when every encounter left her questioning the emotions he stirred within her.

She excused herself shortly after, her mind a tangled web of thoughts she did not wish to unravel.

She had nearly reached the sanctuary of her chambers when the butler intercepted her in the hallway, a sealed missive in hand.

Anna frowned. "At this hour?"

"The letter just arrived, my lady."

Anticipation rushed through her. Was it from Copperton? A note about their next engagement?

She took the letter, breaking the wax seal with practiced ease. Her eyes scanned the words, expecting his bold, familiar scrawl.

But it was not from Copperton. It was from Nurse Adams. She had never written to her before. Did something happen? Anna's heart raced, and she broke the seal with unsteady fingers.

My Lady,

I hope this letter does not reach you at an inconvenient hour, but I wished to inform you of something rather extraordinary. Earlier today, the hospital received an anonymous donation—one of such immense generosity that we were left quite speechless.

Forgive my boldness, but I could not help but wonder if it was your doing?

With gratitude,

Nurse Adams

Anna reread the letter. An anonymous donation? It was not her.