Page 57 of Her Wicked Duke
Quickly, he pieced together their appearance and the stationary carriage. His brow furrowed. “Anne, do not be so reckless!” he hissed. “Think of your reputation! And, Your Grace, you should be more careful with a lady’s reputation!”
His scolding had Anne’s face flushing. Alexander cleared his throat, looking annoyed at the interruption.
“Come now, your sister is waiting for you inside,” Patrick said, gesturing for Anne to alight from the carriage.
Regretfully, she stepped out of the carriage and into the balmy night. “Alexander—” she began, turning back, but Alexander was already closing the door behind her and pointedly looking ahead.
That was it, then, she realized with dismay. Had she just ruined everything by confessing her feelings?
So far, her sister’s house had kept her safe from the letters, but Alexander might pull back now and only treat her with indifference.
Her chest ached as she watched the carriage disappear down the street.
“I hope your evening was pleasant, Anne?” Patrick asked conversationally as they headed back to Yore House.
“It was,” she answered quietly. “Thank you.”
“Let me know if you need anything.” He paused as they entered the house. “I was wondering—and please don’t see this as you intruding, as you are most welcome here at any time—how long do you intend to stay?”
Anne hadn’t meant to stay as long as she had already, but she could barely stand the thought of returning to Angleton Estate, with her mother’s questions and her father’s insistence on how to live her life and behave.
“A little bit longer, if that’s agreeable with you and you promise I’m not an intrusion?” she replied, although her mind was still far away, thinking of Alexander’s hands on her. “I really don’t want to overstay my welcome.”
“Nonsense!” Patrick said. “Your sister misses you greatly when you are not here. Having you here has made her far happier. My home is yours anytime, Anne.”
“Thank you, Patrick.”
“Although, as we’re practically family, having married Mary, I really would advise you against ruining your reputation with the Duke of Winsor.” He hesitated. “Tell me if I’m overstepping, of course, but he doesn’t have your best interests at heart.”
She nodded as though she agreed, although, inside, her heart was breaking at Alexander’s rejection. “I shall retire to bed now,” she said quietly. “Goodnight, Patrick.”
“Goodnight, Anne,” he returned. “I hope the Duke at least told you that you look beautiful tonight.”
She smiled gratefully before going upstairs.
Anne, Mary, and Eloise, who babbled away in her pushchair, strode through the park several days later. Anne had not heardanything from Alexander, nor could she convince herself to attend any big parties.
She did not want to look at other men and wonder which one might touch her the way Alexander had. She did not want to consider that her chances with him were over.
She did not want any man except for Alexander Dunst.
But her sisterdidmanage to drag her out of her chamber for a promenade in the park so she could talk to her about what had happened between the two of them.
As they walked, Anne felt eyes on her, as she often had ever since her stalker had begun harassing her during this Season. Except, those eyes had been a result of her paranoia. Now, it felt as though people wereactuallylooking at her.
And even Mary noticed it, too.
“Sister,” Anne asked quietly, “have you noticed people whispering as they pass us?”
Mary nodded slowly.
Anne’s heartbeat quickened, and she panicked, wondering what could have the ton laughing behind their hands and fans at her.
“I heard that they… on the terrace!” she heard a lady whisper, but she couldn’t catch the main part of the rumor.
Two giggling girls passed, gossiping. More couples passed, more stares, more whispers. But she couldn’t quite catch what the rumor was about.
Until she saw her friend, Clarice, up ahead, promenading with two ladies near the lake.
