Page 41 of His Scandalous Lessons
James and Alexandra followed his gaze. As soon as they did, Anne flushed and strode out the door.
“Miss Sheffield,” Alexandra murmured in interest. “I’m surprised to see her here; her father usually keeps her sequestered inside. I’d heard a rumor years ago that she’d been promised to the Duke of Kendal.”
“And he’s thirty years older than her,” Richard snapped. “I’m aware.”
James, who was no idiot, leaned in and murmured, “If you’ve compromised the damn Prime Minister’s daughter...”
“Oh, sod off, Kent. Just mind your own fucking business for once.”
Richard shoved the champagne flute into a shocked waiter’s hands and went to follow Anne.
She was leaving the ballroom at a casual, yet hurried clip, massaging her temples as if she had a headache. Down the empty corridor, he watched her slip into an empty room. Richard followed, closing the door softly behind him.
Anne whirled. There were tears in her eyes. “Richard. I—” She glanced behind him. “Anyone could come in.”
He turned the key in the lock and faced her once more. “You’re avoiding me.”
She sighed. “It’s easier that way.”
“Christ. Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?”
She came forward. “I had to. I’m so sorry, but I had to.”
With a soft noise, Richard pulled her into an embrace. He couldn’t hold her tightly enough. He couldn’t press their bodies close enough. He wanted to kiss her and kiss her and kiss her until the entire world melted away and they were all that remained. No problems, no worries, only them.
She was trembling, clutching him in a grip that felt desperate. As if she thought she were going to lose him.
“It’s all right,” he felt compelled to tell her. “It’ll be all right.”
Anne shook her head. Her tears were hot against his skin. “I can’t make sense of his information. Addresses, monetary amounts... I can’t tell what he’s searching for on you.”
“It doesn’t matter.” But she was digging her fingernails into his jacket, as if she couldn’t hear him. “Anne. It’s not important.”
She pulled back, her beautiful brown eyes misted over. “Yes it is. Do you have any idea how many men my father has destroyed? How many families? He—”
“Shh. Sweetheart, come here.” He embraced her once more. “I don’t have any secrets. I promise you.”
“And your family? What about your sister?”
“My sister?” Richard echoed, confused.
“He will use whatever information he can against you. Whether it involves your brother or your sister. Anything he can get his hands on. And he’s close to something, Richard.”
Richard considered that. While Alexandra was open about her political opinions, he couldn’t watch her every moment of every day. Perhaps she had involved herself in some business he wasn’t aware of. After all, it’s not as if either of his siblings knew how much of a role he played in the government’s inner workings. Richard had worked damn hard to make sure most people didn’t.
As if she read his thoughts, Anne said, “See? Now you know why I must stay.”
He pressed his forehead against hers. “I hate this.”
“So do I.” She shut her eyes. “There’s something else.”
“What?”
“My engagement to Kendal is being announced tonight.”
Richard stroked her back. “I know. Caroline told me that she had the Ashbys invite you both for the announcement.”
She was shaking her head. “No, you don’t understand. He’s moved up the wedding date. We are to marry in a fortnight. I'm sure my father pressured him to speed things along so our families are united before the vote.”
