Page 23 of Duke of Bronze

CHAPTER 23

A nna,

I trust this note finds you well and appropriately wary. Prepare yourself, for my amusements at Copperton Hall are not for the faint of heart. Do try not to faint from shock—I am certain your dogs would never forgive me.

—Colin

She folded the note briskly and slipped it back into her reticule, her brows drawn tightly together. It had come alongside a house party invitation for her family.

Infuriating man! Yet a peculiar warmth spread through her chest, entirely at odds with her annoyance. How very like Colin Caldwell to assume she would be thrilled by such a cryptic promise.

The carriage rattled to a stop, and she hastily smoothed her skirts before descending onto the gravel driveway once the door opened. Copperton Hall rose grandly before her, its facade imposing, yet undeniably beautiful, surrounded by manicured gardens that she immediately wanted to explore.

"Magnificent," Elizabeth breathed, stepping beside her.

Anna nodded faintly, her eyes wide with reluctant admiration. "Yes, I suppose it is."

As they ascended the steps, the large doors swung open, and a kindly faced butler greeted them. Before Anna could utter a polite greeting, Colin appeared from an adjoining room, striding toward them with a confidence she found both admirable and maddening.

"Welcome to Copperton Hall," Colin said smoothly, inclining his head in a manner that made him look more handsome than he deserved. His gaze rested momentarily on Anna, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a familiar smirk that made her heart jump.

"You have a remarkable home, Your Grace," Anna said with practiced politeness, hoping her voice concealed the slight catch in her throat.

His smirk deepened. "And it is about to become far more remarkable now that you have arrived."

Anna's breath caught, though she managed a dismissive roll of her eyes. "Flattery, Your Grace? You must be desperate indeed."

He stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough that only she might hear. "Not desperate, merely determined."

Her heart gave a traitorous flutter. Before she could compose a suitable retort, he straightened and turned his attention back to the rest of her family.

"Aunt Petunia, you are looking positively radiant today," Colin greeted warmly, charming Anna's aunt so effortlessly that she blushed like a young debutante.

Anna watched him with narrowed eyes, irritation warring with the inexplicable warmth rising to her cheeks. She clutched her reticule a little tighter.

After a moment, she cleared her throat lightly, forcing a smile. "I wonder what fate awaits us within," she said, deliberately airy.

Colin glanced back at her, his amber eyes gleaming with amusement. He leaned in just slightly again. "A little patience and you will find out, love."

The soft murmur, combined with his nearness, sent a shiver racing down her spine. Anna straightened abruptly, irritation flaring as heat rushed up her neck. She turned quickly, pretending sudden interest in a nearby painting on the wall.

Thankfully, her aunt chose that moment to bustle forward, cutting through the charged silence. “Anna, dear, we must begin preparations immediately. There is much to do before dinner."

Anna cast an incredulous glance at the clock on the far wall. "Dinner is hours away, Aunt Petunia."

Petunia waved a dismissive hand. "Nonsense, child. It is never too early to prepare oneself, particularly when dining with dukes."

Anna lifted her skirts slightly as she ascended the grand staircase, glancing over her shoulder toward Elizabeth, who followed just behind.

"She insists upon dressing for dinner, Lizzy," Anna whispered, the corners of her mouth twitching. "In the middle of the afternoon, no less. Can you fathom such eagerness?"

Elizabeth chuckled, shaking her head. "I must confess, Anna, nothing Aunt Petunia does surprises me anymore. You should know better by now."

"Precisely my point," Anna retorted, trying—and failing—to suppress her laughter as they reached the landing. "I fear the whole household will think we have taken leave of our senses."

"I doubt anyone would be astonished by that," Elizabeth teased gently, nudging her cousin's arm lightly.

Anna released a soft groan as they entered her assigned chamber. It was charmingly decorated, though Anna barely had time to appreciate it before Petunia's enthusiastic voice greeted them.

"Oh, there you are, Anna!" Petunia clapped her hands briskly. "Come, we must make haste. We have a great deal to do, and precious little time to do it in."

Anna sighed, shoulders slumping ever so slightly. "Aunt Petunia, dinner is hours away. There is no cause for such urgency."

"On the contrary, my dear," Petunia responded, gesturing to Miss Watson, Anna's maid, who was already unpacking dresses and laying out combs with alarming efficiency. "Preparation is paramount to success. If we are to ensure you are utterly enchanting, we must not waste a moment."

Elizabeth sank gracefully onto a chair by the window, a small smile playing at her lips. Anna cast her a helpless glance, receiving only a look of amused sympathy in return.

Hours later, Anna stood stiffly before the mirror as Miss Watson finished pinning the last curl in place. She resisted the urge to fidget, aware of her aunt's eagle-eyed inspection.

"Oh, Anna!" Petunia cried, pressing her hands together with delight. "You look simply exquisite. Utterly enchanting!"

Anna dared a quick glance at her reflection, noting with reluctant satisfaction how well the dress suited her figure, the emerald green velvet falling gracefully around her. Her cheeks colored faintly as she met her own gaze, her mouth quirking wryly despite herself.

"Well, Aunt Petunia," Anna drawled lightly, smoothing a fold in her dress, "I suppose I might be persuaded to admit that you did not entirely ruin me."

Elizabeth smothered a laugh behind her hand, while Petunia's expression darkened with mock seriousness. "A little enthusiasm would not go amiss, child. You will spoil the entire effect with that attitude."

Anna laughed softly, meeting Elizabeth's amused gaze in the mirror. "After the torture you have inflicted upon me, Aunty, you must allow me a bit of levity."

Petunia's mouth twitched as she struggled to maintain her stern facade. "Very well, I suppose a touch of mirth will not cause irreparable harm."

Just then, a gentle knock sounded at the door, and Peggy entered, smiling brightly at Anna's ensemble.

"It is nearly time, ladies," Peggy announced, casting an appreciative glance at Anna. "Dinner awaits, and Copperton is eager for your company."

"You have been uncommonly scarce today, Peggy," Anna observed mildly, glancing up from the vanity where Miss Watson had just finished pinning her hair into an elegant coiffure. "Only appearing in the nick of time to rescue me from Aunt Petunia's ruthless preparations."

Elizabeth stifled a laugh, shaking her head slightly as Peggy smiled sheepishly, smoothing a hand down her own dress.

"Oh, Anna," Peggy began, stepping closer with genuine admiration gleaming in her eyes, "you look positively enchanting. Like a heroine from one of my novels—magical and irresistible."

Anna felt warmth creep up her neck, and she turned her head aside in embarrassment, pretending to fuss with the lace on her sleeve. "Do not tease me, Peggy. I hardly look like one of your fanciful literary heroines."

Peggy shook her head fervently, eyes wide with genuine wonder. "No teasing, I assure you. You appear every inch the captivating siren, capable of ensnaring even a duke."

"Precisely!" Petunia chimed triumphantly, clapping her hands together in open satisfaction. "She looks exactly as she ought to charm a duke. Do you not agree, Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth's smile widened knowingly. "Indeed. Copperton will surely find himself quite unable to resist."

Anna straightened her shoulders, drawing herself up with mock indignation. "I have no intention of charming anyone, least of all His Grace." But even as she spoke, a nervous flutter began to stir within her.

"Of course not, dear," Petunia agreed, though her expression clearly indicated she believed otherwise. "Now, come along. It is nearly time."

Anna rose reluctantly, gathering her skirt and following her cousins out of the room. Descending to the drawing room, she wore a smile of polite anticipation—one she hoped masked the agitation she felt.

Yet as she stepped into the bustling chamber, her smile faltered.

There, across the room, stood Colin—looking infuriatingly handsome in evening attire. He was deep in conversation with Fiona, who appeared utterly enchanted. Anna's heart performed a troubling leap as Colin bent gallantly, pressing his lips briefly to Fiona's knuckles.

Something sharp twisted inside Anna's chest, startling her enough that she nearly stumbled. Heat flared in her cheeks, and her gloved fingers curled into her palms at her sides.

"Anna?" Elizabeth murmured gently. "Are you quite well?"

She forced a reassuring smile. "Perfectly."

But as Colin straightened, catching her gaze and murmuring something politely to Fiona, Anna's stomach tightened unpleasantly. He crossed the room in determined strides, pausing to exchange brief pleasantries with Peggy and Elizabeth before finally stopping in front of her.

"I was beginning to fear you had reconsidered," Colin said, his voice a teasing murmur meant only for her ears.

Anna stood by the fireplace in the elegantly furnished drawing room, gripping her fan tightly as Colin approached, his amber gaze dancing with mischief. She tilted her head slightly, striving to appear composed, even though her pulse had quickened traitorously.

"You have been scarce today, Your Grace," Anna teased lightly, lifting her chin slightly as she met his gaze. "I was beginning to think you were avoiding me."

Colin chuckled softly, a rich, resonant sound that sent an irritatingly pleasant shiver down her spine. "Avoiding you? Never. You underestimate your power, Lady Anna."

Her heart skipped traitorously, and she busied herself by pretending to adjust her glove, buying time to regain composure. "Oh? And what power might that be, pray tell?"

"The power to distract," he replied smoothly, stepping closer with a subtle smirk. "It is most inconvenient, I assure you."

Anna arched an eyebrow, her fingers curling nervously into her palm. "Then perhaps you ought to reconsider inviting such distractions to your home, Your Grace."

"I prefer to keep my enemies close," Colin murmured teasingly, his amber eyes gleaming as he leaned just slightly forward.

"Enemies?" Anna laughed softly, forcing her heart to steady. "Surely, I am not quite that formidable?”

"Indeed you are," he assured her, the warmth in his voice deepening. "You are exceedingly dangerous, Anna."

She inhaled sharply, feeling heat bloom across her cheeks as she forced herself to look away. Drat the man. He seemed determined to rattle her; and worse still—he was succeeding.

Anna moved a step away, making a grand show of admiring the ornate mantelpiece. "Well, danger or not, I confess I am here solely for the promise of dinner. After all, why else would I have accepted your invitation?"

Colin placed a dramatic hand over his heart. "You wound me, Lady Anna."

Anna turned back toward him with exaggerated scrutiny, tilting her head with a playful seriousness. "I see no blood, Your Grace. Perhaps I should try harder?"

He laughed again, the sound warm and genuine. "Must you draw blood before you are satisfied?"

"Perhaps," she replied mischievously, allowing a slight smile to break through despite her best efforts to appear indifferent.

Before he could retort, Petunia's voice carried from the hallway, signaling it was time to gather for dinner. Colin offered Anna his arm with practiced ease, guiding her into the dining room. The murmured whispers and sidelong glances of the other guests did not escape Anna's notice. Her shoulders tensed, and she forced her expression into one of polite neutrality as Colin graciously seated her.

As they ate, Anna could feel his gaze frequently returning to her, warm and persistent, even when she busied herself conversing with her cousins or selecting delicacies from her plate. Each subtle glance from him made her pulse flutter uncomfortably, prompting her to shift slightly in her seat or raise her glass to conceal the warmth creeping into her cheeks. She was unaccountably aware of every movement he made, from the graceful lift of his wineglass to the slight tilt of his head as he listened to his guests. It was positively maddening.

Once dinner was over, Anna excused herself to the ladies' retiring room, and upon returning, her steps slowed near an open drawing-room door, voices drifting into the hallway.

"Did you notice the Duke? He scarcely took his eyes from the spinster all through dinner," a woman said in hushed wonder.

"Oh, indeed," another replied knowingly. "I doubt he tasted a single bite. It was as though he was entirely captivated."

Anna's heart lurched uncomfortably, her fingers pressing lightly against her chest as she struggled to steady her breathing. She drew herself up straighter, her chin lifting in defiance at the overheard remarks. Copperton's spinster, indeed! She belonged to no one, least of all Colin Caldwell.

"Anything of particular interest?" came a low, familiar voice behind Anna, sending a startled shiver down her spine.

She jumped slightly, whirling around to see Colin, his expression playful, leaning in as if he, too, had been listening.

"Must you always creep about and startle people?" she hissed, her hand pressed firmly to her chest in an attempt to steady her racing heart.

He tilted his head, an infuriatingly amused smirk tugging at his lips. "Must you always eavesdrop at doorways?"

"That is none of your concern," she retorted, desperately fighting a blush that she felt rising hotly into her cheeks. She glanced quickly toward the slightly ajar door, her embarrassment increasing as she wondered how much of the conversation he had overheard.

"Everything occurring beneath my own roof most certainly is my concern," Colin pointed out mildly, folding his arms with an air of casual arrogance that irritated her further.

Anna narrowed her eyes at him. "And yet you see no issue with skulking in hallways?"

He chuckled softly, leaning closer again. "One might say curiosity is a dangerous thing, Anna."

"Yes," she agreed archly, tilting her chin defiantly. "Dangerous enough to harm even a cat, I believe?"

He raised an eyebrow, his eyes gleaming wickedly. "Fortunately for me, I am not a cat."

She allowed her gaze to roam deliberately over him, appraising him boldly. "Indeed not, for I have never encountered a feline quite so nosy."

Colin threw back his head and laughed heartily, the sound echoing dangerously down the hallway.

Before she could think better of it, Anna's hand flew up, covering his mouth swiftly. "Hush," she hissed urgently, eyes widening as the voices within the drawing room suddenly ceased.

"Did you hear something?" came a cautious voice from inside, followed by the scrape of a chair against the polished parquet floor.

Oh, dear!