Page 175 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

“I do not know if I even have the stomach for tonight’s meal,” Anna murmured.

“Very well then. You have no excuse for the activity on Christmas Eve.”

“I am sure I can find one,” Anna said with a laugh.

Why, this was almost becoming a game. It did strike her as odd that her mother had invited over the duke. Then again, perhaps she thought that if Anna spent time with him and his betrothed, she would get over him that much quicker.

She could only hope that would be the case. The thought of him marrying another, and one he did not love, made her want to wallow in misery.

“And disappoint the poor children?” Emily smiled broadly. “We are all going to visit the local orphanage. You must come!”

“You have me there. I would like to come to the orphanage. But then—”

“You cannot come for just one day and return home. You’ll have to stay through Christmas Day at least,” Emily mused, tapping a finger to her cheek. “Church and then dinner. And on Boxing Day, well, the duchess is organizing a visit to the local orphanage. That will be ever so much more enjoyable if you were to come with me.”

“Emily…”

“You can skip the costume party on the twenty-seventh if you must, but honestly, the charity ball is not until the evening on the thirty-first! I know you promised the orphans at the Home for the Motherless Children that you would have a new story for them on that day. Surely you’ll be done by then?”

A knock on her door saved Anna from answering.

Her mother opened the door. “It is time to receive the guests.” She beamed at them. “You both look lovely.”

Anna glanced at the papers on her desk. She would rather start writing a new story. Last night, she had dreamed she was trapped in a horrible marriage to a man she did not know. After she woke, she had pulled out the letter she had written to Lord Pershore telling him what a horrible man he was. Rereading it had not made her feel any better. In fact, it had made her feel even worse.

“Let us try to have a good time.”

Emily smiled widely as she wrapped her arm around Anna’s. “I will. Lord Tipton won’t have much chance to run from me, not with so few guests.”

“I hope for your sake that things work out.”

Anna could not believe her mother had invited Benjamin and Florentina. Seeing Benjamin with Florentina would not be pleasant.

* * *

Jasper strolled up to the door when another carriage rolled up, and he paused to see who else had arrived. Benjamin Huxley, Duke of Barnet. Jasper grimaced. He did not like the gentleman from their few encounters. Gossip swirled around the man as if it were a coat. The latest of which suggested his betrothed was pregnant, not that Jasper made it a habit of listening to rumors.

He waited for the lady to make an appearance, but only Barnet approached.

“Where is—”

“Florentina is feeling poorly so she will not be joining us.” Barnet adjusted his coat. “Let’s not keep our hosts waiting.”

“Indeed,” Jasper muttered, and he trailed behind the duke.

As he had known it would be, the entire affair was awkward. Lady Emily, daughter of the Earl of Seaton, was obviously in love with Charles Russel, the Earl of Tipton. The man hardly spoke a word to anyone. And Lady Anna, the lady with more spark than a fire, hardly spoke as well. Barnet more than made up for their silence, filling the room with laughter and conversation.

Perhaps Lady Emily had grown tired of talking at Tipton rather than with him as she turned to Jasper. “You are going to go to the charity ball, aren’t you?”

“I suppose.” His mother would be rather cross with him if he did not.

“And the rest of the festivities?”

“I am not certain yet.”

Lady Emily shook her head. “You and Anna. I confess I do not understand it. She would rather read or write; and you? What would you rather do instead?”

Despite her questions, she did not seem to be prying. It was almost refreshing to speak to someone who did not seem to have a hidden agenda.

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