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CHAPTER 2

C olin is a rake!

The thought struck Anna with such force that she nearly staggered. He was a rake of the most incorrigible variety, at that. A man whose exploits were the whispered delight of every drawing-room gossip; whose reputation preceded him like the scent of brandy at White's.

And that was the man who had just purchased five promenades with her. She could not— would not —fathom what a man like him could possibly want with her.

"Anna, my dear!" Her father's voice cut through her chaotic thoughts without giving her any relief. She turned to see the man who had always championed her independence, now positively beaming at her as though this entire debacle was a blessing rather than the disaster it truly was. He was also oblivious to the fact that his daughter was very nearly unraveling before all of London.

"Copperton," her father said, clapping Colin heartily on the shoulder. "A most generous bid, indeed! The orphanages and hospitals shall benefit greatly from your kindness."

Kindness? Anna barely suppressed the urge to gawk at her father. Colin had many qualities , but kindness had never struck her as one of them.

He inclined his head with that insufferable smirk of his. "A noble cause deserves a noble contribution, Lord Dowshire."

Anna inhaled with some effort, tightness forming in her chest as if her stays had suddenly constricted several inches. She should never have agreed to attend this charity auction.

The crush of the ballroom, the ceaseless murmuring, the speculative gazes… it was all too much. Her vision blurred, and for one horrifying moment, she feared she might actually swoon.

“Anna." Peggy took her arm. Elizabeth followed, her sharp eyes narrowing in assessment. "You are as white as a sheet. Come." Anna could not even muster a protest before her cousins looped their arms through hers and steered her from the ballroom.

They led her down a bright hallway to a small, quiet salon. The moment the door clicked shut behind them, Anna let out a shaky breath. "Tell me that did not just happen," she croaked, pressing a trembling hand to her forehead.

Peggy and Lizzy exchanged a glance before guiding Anna to a chaise by an open window. “Take some air and breathe, dearest."

"I do not wish to breathe," Anna snapped, but took a deep breath all the same, her ribs aching with the effort. "I cannot do this."

Elizabeth poured her a glass of water from a nearby table and came to hand it to her. "And by this , you mean…?”

Anna took the glass with slightly unsteady hands. "Parade about London on the arm of Colin Caldwell like some hapless debutante who has lost her senses."

Elizabeth perched beside her and sighed. "He is not so bad."

Anna let out a strangled laugh. " Not so bad? He is a bloody rake!"

Peggy shrugged. "He is also a good friend of both Morgan and Alexander."

Elizabeth nodded. "And our husbands are good men."

Anna stared at them, incredulous. "Is that meant to comfort me?"

"We were hoping it might." Peggy smiled sheepishly.

Anna groaned, slumping back against the settee. The tension in her limbs began to ease, though the leaden weight in her stomach remained.

"Uncle Sebastian looked positively elated , Anna." Peggy's gaze was soft and hopeful.

"Oh, not you, too Peggy!" Anna hated to admit it, but they were right. Her father's happiness had been plain to see. The tightness in her chest loosened further.

Still. She sat up and scowled at her cousins. "Why do you think Colin is suddenly interested in me?"

Peggy glanced at Lizzy, then said carefully, "His father passed last year."

"Yes, I am aware," Anna sighed.

"And from what I have heard, he is searching for a bride."

"A bride? Me? " Anna scoffed, gesturing vaguely at herself. "Surely you jest."

Elizabeth sighed. "Anna?—"

"No, truly," Anna interrupted, shaking her head. "A woman with a moniker of The Wild Spinster ? I am hardly the ideal choice for a duchess."

Peggy's mouth twitched. "Well, he did just pay a thousand guineas for you."

Anna groaned again, dropping her head into her hands. "Do not refer to me as though I am chattel."

At that moment, the door burst open, and her friends, Lady Hester Jensen and Lady Fiona Pierce, rushed in, their expressions stricken with guilt.

"Oh, Anna, we are so sorry," Fiona gasped, her hand on her chest. "We thought you knew."

"Your father agreed to it, and—well, we assumed he would tell you…" Hester added.

Anna exhaled, willing herself to keep calm. "It is all right."

Fiona blinked. "It is?"

"It is ," Anna repeated, forcing a reassuring smile. "After all, I have already agreed to endure it."

Her friends' shoulders sagged with relief. As conversation resumed around her, Anna suddenly realized she needed air—and quiet.

"I believe I should like a moment alone," she murmured.

Peggy and Elizabeth exchanged hesitant glances, clearly reluctant to leave her. "If you are certain…" Elizabeth began.

"I am," Anna lied.

Peggy sighed. "Very well. But do not sit here brooding for too long."

With that, the ladies gathered their skirts and filed out, leaving Anna alone in the quiet salon.

What am I to do now?

More importantly, what am I to do with Colin?

Anna sat in silence, willing herself to remain calm. She would manage. She had to manage. Five promenades and nothing more. Her family's reputation would remain intact, and once it was over, she would be free of him.

As she started feeling steadier, she stood, smoothing her skirts and taking a deep breath. She had spent long enough away from the event. She turned toward the door—only for it to open before she could reach it.

Colin stood in the doorway, his gaze sweeping over her, one corner of his mouth curved.

"You followed me." Anna could feel her pulse begin to skitter.

His lips quirked. "You make it sound so scandalous."

Anna folded her arms. "It is scandalous. We are alone."

Colin stepped inside and let the door fall shut behind him. "You would be surprised how many scandalous situations go unnoticed. Especially in Almack's."

"You would know all about that." She narrowed her eyes.

His amusement faded. The air shifted, and his gaze darkened. With deliberate slowness, he stepped toward her. Anna retreated until her spine pressed against the wall.

"What are you doing?" she demanded.

Colin tilted his head, his voice low. "It seems I must teach you a lesson."

Anna's breath faltered, and her legs trembled as he closed the distance between them.