Page 70 of His Accidental Duchess

Again, she conceded no ground.

“Is that a threat, Miss Haversham?” he purred. “I am not the sort of man to tolerate threats.”

She did not even blink. He was reminded, suddenly, of Lord Downton’s sweating and fidgeting under his stare, as opposed to Miss Haversham’s smooth brow and steady gaze.

Anna chooses her friends well, it seems.

“It is not a threat,” Miss Haversham said, at last. “But a promise. Anna is like a sister to me, and if you don’t mind my saying, you have a rather fearsome reputation.”

He inclined his head. “And so do you, Miss Haversham.”

“They call me a bluestocking if that’s what you mean. I’m quite proud of it.”

“As you should be.” He put his hat on his head and flashed her a mirthless smile. “Forgive me if I do not quake in my boots, Miss Haversham. Good night to you.”

“People underestimate me,” she said suddenly, stopping him as he turned to leave. “It’s generally not to their benefit.”

“No,” he said thoughtfully. “I can imagine that it is not. Let me assure you that I do not intend to make my wife miserable, and I do not believe Anna is the sort of woman to allow herself to be bullied. Now, I suppose Anna has already told you, but feel free to call on her at any time you like, Miss Haversham. A new duchess, especially one in her position, requires all the friends she can get.”

He gave her a frank nod, feeling the strange urge to reach out a hand for her to shake, as he would with a man. He turned on his heel and marched away into the night, feeling the eyes of Beatrice Haversham on him all the way.

Outside, the night was cold and clear, but it did nothing to dampen Theo’s desire. A shiver of anticipation ran through him as he spotted his carriage down the sleek, even lines of waiting coaches. The coachman was ready, their footman on the back, and a lantern was lit on the side. Anna had already seen fit to draw the curtains.

“Now, my dear,” he said, flinging open the door and clambering in. “Where were we?”

And then he saw that Anna was fast asleep, slumped sideways against the padded side of the carriage.

How wonderful,he thought glumly, banging on the roof of the carriage to signal to the driver to move on.Just my damned luck.

Anna jerked awake just as the carriage rolled to a stop in front of their house.

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” she said groggily, rubbing her eyes. “I am sorry.”

Theo’s desire had long since wilted away along with his erection. He knew from experience that waking a sleeping woman to engage in any sort of activity was a mistake, more likely to earn him a slap on the face than a passionate kiss.

He had used the time to pen a quick note to Stephen, a brief request for all the information he could find on Jacob Ponty, the Earl of Downton. He would send the note tomorrow morning.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said, smothering a yawn. “We’re home now. Come, I’ll walk you to your room. I suppose Esther will be waiting for you?”

Anna blinked as if she hadn’t considered that. “Yes, I suppose she will. I can’t get out of this gown alone, at any rate.”

That sparked interest deep in Theo’s gut, at the very least. The gown was a miracle of laces and buttons, and he imagined itwasquite a trial to get into it, but perhaps a little more fun to remove.

Once they were inside, Anna headed to the stairs. She paused with her hand on the banister and glanced back at him, her eyebrows raised in invitation. Smiling, he followed her.

Not that it mattered—he had already decided what he would do.

The household was mostly asleep by now. Only Briggs and Esther would be awake, most likely, and possibly Mrs. Haunt and Timmins. Theo had always thought it very ungentlemanlike to keep one’s servants up till the late hours. So, the house wassilent, except for their padding footsteps along the hallway. They reached the door to Anna’s bedroom, and she paused, turning to face him. She drew in a deep breath as if to begin a rehearsed speech.

“I’ll dismiss Esther, and you must come in. You see, I want to do something for you, Theo.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Dosomething for me? How thrillingly vague.”

She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. You…didsomething for me in the library, remember?”

“I vaguely recall.”

She let out a breath. “Well, now it’s my turn. It’s only fair.”

---