Page 7 of Duke of Bronze

CHAPTER 7

" I t was time you three showed yourselves again," Anna declared as she strode into the drawing room where her friends awaited her.

She did not bother to conceal the arch of her brow, nor the pointed way she regarded each of them. She was still miffed, and she had no intention of letting them escape so easily after throwing her into such a ridiculous predicament. "Shock is one thing, but an auction ?" Anna exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "A public spectacle? And worst of all, a bargain struck with that insufferable Duke?" She shook her head, crossing her arms. "You three have much to atone for."

Nancy Gallagher, ever the peacemaker, sighed. "Anna, we did not mean for it to be such a trial for you."

"We thought you might require a bit of time to…" Hester began hesitantly.

"Blow off some of that steam before you suffocate yourself in it," Fiona completed, her eyes dancing with mischief.

Anna shot her a glare, but it was half-hearted at best. Fiona had always been the one to poke at her, to tease when no one else dared. It was infuriatingly endearing.

"Oh, we are merely here to apologize, Anna dear," Nancy interjected, clearly attempting to rein in Fiona's impishness. "Do understand, we only meant well—for both you and the charity."

Anna folded her arms, drawing out the moment for effect. She let them squirm under her scrutiny, watched as Hester bit her lip, as Nancy's hands folded primly in her lap, as Fiona pressed her lips together, her hands curling slightly in her lap, as though bracing herself for a scolding, yet unwilling to let her friends take all the blame.

"Fine," she relented at last, and the trio's collective exhale was so exaggerated she very nearly laughed. "But only because it was in the name of charity." She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice with exaggerated gravity. "Do not let it happen again."

Fiona smirked. "No promises."

Anna narrowed her eyes, but the warmth in her chest could not be denied. Despite everything, despite their meddling, she had missed them.

“Oh, come now; at least you get five outings with the handsome Duke of Copperton," Fiona winked.

"If you thought him so handsome, why didn't YOU auction your time, then?" Anna laughed.

"Oh, but how was I to know that he would be the one to win the prize?" Fiona chuckled.

"At least it wasn't some greasy old lord who bought your time, Anna.” Hester gave a mischievous chortle as Anna rang for some tea for them.

"Oh, a greasy old lord would have been better," Anna responded. Than a devastating rake , she finished the sentence to herself, recalling the inexplicable effect and pull Copperton had on her.

"Oh, be careful what you wish for, Anna dear," Nancy laughed, and they all joined her in the mirth.

Once the amusement subsided, her friends leaned in, their eyes all glimmering with curiosity.

"So?" Fiona prompted. "How shall these outings be conducted?"

Anna let out a breath and settled back in her seat. "We have come to an understanding," she admitted. "We shall see it through."

It was, after all, only five afternoons. What was the worst that could happen?

"Oh, how wonderful!" Fiona clapped her hands, eyes bright with amusement.

"And perhaps these outings might yield some unexpected fruits," Nancy mused, sounding entirely too innocent to be trusted.

"Oh, no," Anna interjected swiftly, her eyes narrowing. "Do not even think what I know you are thinking. Halt it at once, Nancy." She lifted a finger in warning, but it did little to deter her friend.

Nancy simply smiled before turning to Hester and Fiona, utterly undeterred. "Do you not think they make the most remarkable pair?"

"Oh, unquestionably," Hester agreed, nodding sagely. "A striking match, truly."

"Like fire and gunpowder," Fiona added, her grin positively wicked. "Perfectly explosive."

Anna could only gape at them as they carried on, thoroughly enjoying themselves at her expense.

"I see you three have a collective death wish," she muttered, folding her arms as they giggled.

"Oh, do your worst, Anna," Fiona said sweetly, reaching over to pat her hand. "We know you adore us."

Anna rolled her eyes, but the corners of her lips betrayed her as they twitched upward. And when her friends dissolved into laughter once more, she found herself—despite her better judgment—joining them.

When the time came to see them off, she escorted them to the door, bidding them farewell before turning back inside. Just as she did, her cousin Elizabeth was stepping through the entrance, unwinding her cloak.

"You are in remarkably good spirits," Elizabeth observed, looping her arm through Anna's as they made their way back to the drawing room.

"Oh? And here I thought you were about to tell me I had been sulking," Anna quipped.

Elizabeth gave her a sidelong glance, entirely unimpressed. "What am I to say when you have, in fact, been sulking?"

Anna scoffed. "What am I, Lizzy? A five-year-old?"

"Well," Elizabeth mused, tapping her chin as though considering the question in earnest, "at times, you throw tantrums grander than any child I have encountered."

Anna shot her cousin a pointed look before—unable to help herself—letting out a reluctant chuckle.

"I have sorted through all miscommunications and reached rather convenient arrangements regarding the matter," Anna reassured her.

"That is good news," Elizabeth said with a nod. "But I must warn you to be cautious, dearest," she added, her voice taking on an unfamiliar edge.

Anna frowned. "Why do you suddenly sound so dire, Lizzy?" This was unlike her cousin. She was the cynic, not Elizabeth or Margaret.

Elizabeth exhaled, folding her hands in her lap. "When society sinks its claws into something, there is always cause for alarm, is there not?"

Anna's brows drew together. The true worry in Elizabeth's gaze unsettled her, a slow unease curling in her stomach.

"Society?" Anna repeated. "What do you mean?"

Elizabeth regarded her. "Why, you must not have seen this morning's gossip sheet, then."

Anna stiffened. Of course there had been talk , but surely?—

Lizzy cast an expectant glance around the drawing room. "Do you still keep the general correspondence and morning papers in the same place?"

Without waiting for an answer, she stood and made her way to the end table by the window.

"You know I do not care for the gossip sheets, Lizzy," Anna said, crossing her arms as if that might shield her from whatever nonsense was about to be revealed. "Aunt Petunia was the only one who paid them any mind, and I have hardly touched them since she married and left."

"Oh, the only reading Aunt Petunia ever did was those dreadful gossip sheets," Elizabeth said with a fond chuckle as she sifted through the neatly stacked letters and papers on the end table. "One might think she lived for the scandal alone."

"She did have a rather impressive knack for keeping account of everyone's affairs but her own."

"Ah! Here it is." Elizabeth extracted one of the papers and returned to Anna's side, unfolding it. "Read it."

Anna took the paper and let her gaze skim over the familiar printed lines. The moment her eyes caught sight of her name alongside Colin's, her fingers tightened around the edges of the sheet.

One must commend His Grace's generosity, though one must also wonder whether the Duke's interests lie solely in philanthropy . It would appear that Lady Anna has at last captured the attention of a gentleman bold enough to match her reputation. And what better suitor than the dashing and roguish Duke of Copperton?

The ton shall watch with great interest as this unexpected pair embarks on their arranged outings. Perhaps what began as an act of charity may yet lead to a courtship? Stranger things have happened in our dear London society.

"Oh, now they have taken things entirely too far." She tossed the paper onto her lap with a scowl. "I should pen a letter to the author and correct their delusions at once."

Elizabeth shook her head, amused. "That would only encourage them, Anna. You know how they thrive on scandal."

Anna resisted the urge to shred the offending paper. "Well, it is a baseless scandal. An invention . "

"That may be, but now that you are the latest object of society's scrutiny, I would advise you to be cautious. One can never be too careful."

Anna met her cousin's gaze and found no teasing there—only genuine concern. And though it rankled her to admit, Elizabeth had a point.

She sighed, and her posture softened. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Lizzy. I shall be mindful."

Elizabeth nodded. "Good. And if it is any consolation, they shall move on to their next victim soon enough."

"Not soon enough for my liking."

"You just wait until the next ball."

After Elizabeth's departure, Anna cast a glance at the clock on the mantel. There was still ample time before dinner.

Without wasting another moment, she hurried up to her bedchamber. Once inside, she shed her afternoon frock in favor of something simpler—a plain, dark one that allowed for ease of movement. She reached for her cloak, fastening it securely at her throat, then tugged her bonnet into place, ensuring the brim concealed enough of her features.

Her heart pounded, but not from fear or hesitation. She had done this many times before, and she would do it again. Every day, if she could.

Slipping through the hallways, Anna descended the stairs at the back of the house that led to the servant's entrance, careful to avoid the creaking step near the bottom. She was particularly watchful for her lady's maid. A moment later, she was outside. Tilting her head up toward the sky, she smiled, a sense of freedom brimming in her chest.

There was somewhere she needed to be.