Page 18 of Her Wicked Duke
But Anne barely heard the suggestion, as her mind had wandered to Alexander. He had said he wanted to look out for her and do his duty to her brother. Perhaps…
“Anne?” Mary prompted. “I could ask Patrick on your behalf.”
“No, not at all,” Anne said softly. “It is a wonderfully generous offer, but I am looking for a suitor. If Patrick accompanies me to every event I wish to attend, then you would be left alone in your beautiful home frequently. That would not be right, Sister.”
“If it ensures your safety, I will sit through many hours alone,” Mary said firmly.
But Anne was already shaking her head, thinking of another solution that would be in her best interests.
After all, if Alexander was willing to offer his companionship to ensure her safety, why should she not take him up on his offer? As Christian’s best friend, he would do what it took to ensure her safety, and she knew him far more than she knew her sister’s husband.
Perhaps it was a self-indulgent solution, but she did not focus too much on that.
“What will you do?” Mary asked. “I think pulling out of the Season again is not acceptable. And I do not think you want that either. It almost caused a scandal last year! You should consider your future.”
“No, I do not want to pull out of the Season again,” Anne agreed, knowing that braving it was her best option.
Chewing on her lip, she debated telling her sister about Christian and Alexander’s agreement. Mary would have known the Duke far better, being a few years older than Anne. What would she think of the Duke’s protection?
As they walked through the park, enjoying the early spring air, Anne tried not to look around anxiously. Did he watch from theperiphery? Was any gentleman passing by the stalker? Had he been at the ball, and she simply did not recognize his face?
Her mind spun with worries and questions and different scenarios.
“I think you should find a suitor, Anne,” Mary advised, changing the topic.
The letter had set Anne’s nerves on edge, and, in turn, she had transferred that worry to her sister.
“I know you have had many offers. Mama gossips about you terribly.”
They giggled at that together because, of course, their mother did.
“She has her desires set on you marrying the Earl of Satton. She thinks he is a promising match, and you have a good chance of winning his affection.”
Anne bit her lip, unable to share with her sister the real reason why she no longer considered the Earl a suitable match. Who was to surely say that he would remain faithful to her? She did not want a husband with a wandering gaze. She wanted someone dedicated to her, enamored with her, even if her parents’ marriage put her off the concept of marriage, at times.
“He is very dashing.” Anne nodded, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “However, it does not hurt to keep my options open.”
Mary giggled. The Earl of Yore had swept her off her feet before any other suitor had gotten a chance. At first, she had been smitten with him, but over time, it seemed their marriage had grown prosaic, simply like their parents’ marriage.
“Indeed,” Mary agreed. “Mama would be thrilled to know that, I am sure.”
“Oh, of course. She loves to know who I dance with and whom I have my eye on.”
“A true matron of the ton.” Mary smiled, nodding. “If it helps, Anne, I do hope that your finding another suitor will dissuade this person from sending these letters. If he sees you as unavailable, he will hopefully stop pursuing this in such a dramatic, obsessive way.”
Anne nodded, hoping her sister was right.
“Would you like to return to Yore House for afternoon tea? I can have the kitchen fix something up.”
Anne smiled, her worries fading as she let her sister guide her out of the park and back to Yore House. On their way back, she thought of Alexander and his proposal—offering discretion and pleasure.
The Earl of Satton is certainly getting away with it, so why can’t I?
If Alexander made the offer, then he clearly thought it possible. And she could not pretend that the prospect had not consumed her waking thoughts—and her dreams—since that moment at the ball.
Keeping her thoughts to herself, Anne followed her sister into the parlor once they arrived back at the house.
A figure walked past the doorway, a tall, lanky man whose sideburns were thicker than the rug he walked on.
