Page 6 of Duke of Bronze

CHAPTER 6

" Y ou seem to have secured the most coveted catch of the season, Copperton. I must say, Lady Anna is quite the acquisition," Morgan Down, the Duke of Giltford, drawled as they rode through the bustling streets of London. His tone was one of unrepentant amusement, but then again, Morgan never missed an opportunity to tease.

Colin sighed, keeping his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "You make it sound as though I have already made an offer for the lady."

Morgan smirked. "Wouldn't it only be a matter of time before that follows suit?"

Colin scoffed. "I am merely taking what little pleasure I may before I am forced to produce a duchess for Copperton."

It was no secret that he required a bride. Ever since his father's passing, the pressure to marry had increased tenfold. As Marquess of Broughton, he had lived as he pleased—his time had been his own, his adventures unrestrained. But now, with the title of Duke upon his shoulders, his duty loomed ever closer, a beast lying in wait. He had precious little time left before the shackles of matrimony closed around him.

Morgan cast him a sidelong glance. "And you imagine this ‘last adventure' will be found by flinging an obscene amount of money at a charity auction?"

Colin grinned. "It seemed the most efficient way to acquire five afternoons of amusement."

Morgan shook his head, the corners of his mouth twitching. "Bold of them to auction dates with the wild spinster in the first place."

Colin chuckled. "Indeed. And yet, it was for a noble cause. The charities could use a high-yield spectacle every now and then."

Morgan let out a bark of laughter. "I cannot fathom your recklessness, Colin."

Indeed, Colin mused, his thoughts drifting back to Anna and the morning's conversation. That sharp tongue, that effortless defiance—her fire was magnetic. And if he wasn't careful, he might very well find himself burnt. But perhaps, perhaps that was precisely what he wanted. A spark, a challenge. A final adventure before duty forced his hand.

Soft murmurs of conversation sifted through the air as the Giltford butler took their coats and hats upon their return. The house was noticeably warmer than the brisk London streets, but it was not the fire crackling in the hearth that arrested Colin's attention.

It was Anna.

Seated comfortably on the sofa, a baby nestled in her lap, she was utterly transformed from the infuriating woman who had spent the morning sparring with him. Gone was the sharp wit, the battle-ready stance.

In its place was something softer—something warmer. A gentle smile played on her lips as she cradled her niece, her light brown hair styled in a coiffure, with delicate curls framing her face, catching the glow of the afternoon sun. And those freckles—he had noticed them before, but never like this, never when she wasn't furrowing her brow at him in irritation. They dusted her nose, her cheekbones, so deceptively delicate against the fiery green of her eyes.

Deceptive, indeed. For he knew precisely what lay behind that softness.

The sight was almost unbelievable .

"Oh, we meet again," Colin drawled, stepping further into the room.

Anna's head lifted, her gaze locking onto his. Surprise flashed, but it was quickly replaced by something far more familiar— bite .

Ah, there it was.

Good, he thought impishly. That fire was still there, simmering beneath the surface, waiting for him to stoke it. And nettling her—however subtly—never failed to set it alight.

"What a delightful coincidence, Your Grace," Anna said, her smile so tight it could have been carved from marble.

"To meet you twice in less than twelve hours. Stupendous , indeed," she added in a manner so cloying it was a wonder she did not choke on it.

Colin's lips twitched. "Are you implying that I might have some ulterior motive in simply going about Town and calling upon my friends?"

Anna tilted her head, feigning deep contemplation. "Well, it is not every day one sees the same person a hundred times in a single day."

Colin let out a bark of laughter. "A hundred ? My word, such brazen exaggeration."

"Seeing you once is equivalent to fifty times," she countered smoothly.

"In that case, I am relieved to know I am at least that memorable," he returned, his cheer only making her forced civility more pronounced. He saw it immediately—the subtle tensing of her shoulders, the way she swallowed, her throat moving just barely, as if forcing down the words she truly wished to say.

She was vexed. Good.

"I merely meant," she continued, her gaze holding his with something that was not quite irritation, "that you leave an overly profound taste—one not so easily digested."

Ah. A challenge. And yet… was that amusement lurking beneath her words?

She was enjoying this. And God help him, so was he.

"Oh, you wound me with such statements, Anna," Colin declared with mock despair before turning to Morgan, who observed the exchange with a barely suppressed grin.

"Do you hear your sister-in-law, Giltford?" he said with a shake of his head.

"Oh, this sounds well beyond my capacity to interfere, man," Morgan chuckled, lifting his hands in mock surrender before exchanging a knowing glance with his wife.

Colin did not miss the silent exchange, nor the peculiar way both Giltfords regarded him and Anna once their attention returned to them. There was quiet amusement and calculation in their gaze.

Before Colin could decipher the meaning behind it, the butler appeared at the doorway and murmured something discreetly to Morgan.

Morgan sighed, but smiled, leaning down to press a kiss to the button nose of his daughter before rising to his feet. "Duty summons," he said smoothly before excusing himself.

The tiny girl, seemingly under the assumption that her father intended to scoop her into his arms, let out a wail of protest the moment he was gone. Her small face scrunched in dismay before she burst into tears, her distress immediate and utterly uncompromising.

"Oh dear, she's getting colicky again," Peggy sighed, rising. "I should take her to the nursery. It is her feeding time as well."

Anna handed baby Victoria over, and Colin noted how quickly Peggy moved, her exit deliberate and—he suspected—entirely premeditated. Subtle matchmaking indeed. They were all incorrigible.

Now, left alone with Anna, he turned to her with a smirk. "You seemed quite the angel with baby Victoria. I did not realize you possessed such tenderness. None of the spite you so generously bestow upon me, eh?"

Anna arched a brow, her expression as sweet as poisoned honey. "Perhaps because I was holding an angel ."

Colin let out a low chuckle. "And what does that make me, to warrant such venom? The devil?"

"Oh, I believe even the devil flees when you approach," Anna said, her voice light with feigned innocence, though the sly curve of her lips betrayed her amusement.

Colin arched a brow. "Then why, pray tell, are you still here?"

She lifted one shoulder in an elegant shrug. "I do enjoy a challenge."

He laughed, unable to help himself. She was a delight—a sharp, vexing, utterly captivating delight.

"One thing I neglected to mention earlier," he said, sobering slightly. "We must determine a date for our first outing."

She tapped a finger against her chin, as if considering whether to grant him the favor. "Ah, yes. The first of five ," she mused. "A most daunting prospect."

"I shall endeavor to make it barely tolerable for you," he returned dryly.

"Oh, barely ? Such lofty promises, Your Grace."

He smirked. "I prefer to set reasonable expectations."

She hummed, tilting her head. "Shall I expect a written invitation, then? Or shall you merely appear on my doorstep, demanding my company?"

"Expect a note," he confirmed. "A proper gentleman follows convention, after all."

"Shocking," she said, eyes bright with mischief. "I never took you for a proper gentleman."

He let out a low chuckle, leaning slightly forward, elbows resting on his knees as he regarded her. "Then clearly I must work harder to surprise you."

She did not look away. Instead, she met his gaze head-on, fingers tracing idle patterns against the arm of her chair. "Do try."

Oh, he liked her . He liked her entirely too much.

"Just try not to get too excited," he taunted, unable to resist one final jab.

"I have no reason to be," she quipped, lifting her chin.

Colin caught her hand before she could withdraw it, turning it over in his grasp. His fingers skimmed the inside of her wrist, lingering there just long enough to feel the telltale jump of her pulse.

"I will give you one, Anna."

His lips brushed against her knuckles in a slow, deliberate kiss, a whisper of a promise he fully intended to keep.

Her lips parted, but no sound emerged. A becoming flush rose along her throat, blooming across her cheeks, and for once, she seemed utterly at a loss for words.

Satisfaction curled in his chest. Best to leave before she recovered enough to retaliate.

With a knowing smile, he released her and turned on his heel, making a swift exit.

As he stepped outside, a lingering warmth hummed through him—not just from the thrill of leaving her flustered but from the knowledge that, for all her retorts and barbs, Anna had returned his flirting.

And he could not wait for more.

By the time he reached his horse, he was already crafting plans for their first outing. This, this , was precisely the distraction he needed—from Roderick, from the past, from his father's shadow.