Page 30 of A Duke's Sinful Bargain
“The intricacies of managing such a large estate, and you being a woman,” he went on. “Your husband must have shard some insight on how one manages financial dealings and such responsibility?”
She shrugged. “My late husband was a shrewd businessman who did not expect to die so suddenly. So, I’m afraid I was left to figure things out on my own after his death. Fortunately, I do have some people I can rely on for financial advice.”
That was true. Advice. Not actual financial help. She had no one to ask for something like that.
“A death is a big blow to finances of any estate.” His tone was polite, but she couldn’t help but feel that his questions were getting more personal, more pointed. “And the current state of the estate’s finances? Are there any challenges you have encountered?”
She was more than aware of the delicate balance that she had to withhold. That was why she answered with a diplomatic smile. “Every estate faces its own fair share of challenges, whether or not they follow someone’s untimely death. However, I do manage quite well, thank you for inquiring.”
That could not have been further from the truth, but this stranger was the last person to whom she wanted to open up about her dire financial state, especially in light of the probing questions that did not seem to have an end. She hoped this would be the end of it, but Sir Rupert was adamant.
“I’m sure it requires a considerable effort, Lady Ravenscroft,” he pressed on. “Are there any plans for improvement or expansion of the estate?”
She couldn’t understand why he was so curious about it. Perhaps he was merely being polite? Perhaps he had forgotten the rules of the Londontonand what questions were considered crossing the line of propriety. Anna decided to give the man the benefit of the doubt, although she remained vigilant of his questions and even more cautious of the answers she was handing out.
Once again, she chose her words carefully, through the growing suspicion. “There is always room for improvement, as one might anticipate. However, it is important to proceed with caution, as in most things in life.”
“Of course.” He smiled. “I apologize if I was being forward. It’s just your late husband was one of the few gentlemen I knew here, and hearing about his death… well, I know I did not know him well, but the world has lost a good man.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Sir Rupert,” Anna acknowledged with grace. However, beneath this composed exterior, she was nervous and apprehensive, because she had to guard the secret of her financial state. Discretion was of the utmost importance, but at the same time, she had to be transparent enough, so it would not appear as if she were hiding something.
That was why her every answer consisted of carefully selected words in this intricate dance of propriety, where appearances were everything, both a shield and a weapon.
Anna didn’t even notice that Lady Pentor and Lady Genevieve had ceased with their conversation and were now both on Sir Rupert and herself. As always, Lady Genevieve had seized the opportunity to divert attention. With a sly smile, she waited for Sir Rupert to stop talking, then she interjected.
“You know, Sir Rupert, Hyde Park is wonderful in the early hours of the morn, especially for a horse ride,” she spoke. Her eyes widened in mock surprise as she turned her attention to Anna. “Oh, I am so sorry Lady Ravenscroft. I always forget about your horse riding incident, which is the reason you are… limping.”
Anna wondered what other venomous word she wanted to use before deciding on the one she had chosen.
“You don’t ride anymore, do you?” Lady Genevieve remarked spitefully. “I mean, how could one, after what happened… my goodness.” She turned her attention to Sir Rupert again. “You don’t know the story. Pray, Lady Ravenscroft, do share it with us… again.”
Anna could not believe someone could be so utterly devoid of compassion, so utterly mean for no apparent reason other than for meanness sake. And to speak with such feigned innocence!
Anna cleared her throat, as she struggled to maintain composure with the thinly veiled mockery she had just endured. Even her diplomatic smile remained in place. “Ah, Lady Genevieve, the story remains the same. You’ve heard it so many times already. I’m afraid I might bore you with it.”
Anna locked gazes with Lady Genevieve, in an effort to show her adversary that she would not be made to feel inferior to everyone else present. But then Sir Rupert interfered.
“It sounds like quite a bad accident,” he remarked, accentuating his interest at hearing more.
Anna turned to him. “A spirited horse, a sudden startle, and an unfortunate fall, Sir Rupert. That is all there is to tell regarding all that. It is a chapter of the past, and I do not like to dwell on it.”
“Yes, my dear.” This was the moment Lady Pentor decided to interfere. “You’ve learned to carry yourself with such grace despite this lingering reminder. In fact, I do believe you possess more grace in movement than many a lady of theton!”
Although it was said playfully, Anna knew Lady Pentor meant every word of it, and she was grateful to know this lady was on her side. What began as an afternoon of anticipated joy, turned into a nuanced social chess match, where Anna was forced to navigate these treacherous waters with grace and utmost care.
Fortunately, Sir Rupert had ceased with his probing questions regarding the estate and Lady Genevieve’s remarks had gotten less venomous. But Anna was counting the minutes until she would announce her departure. .
***
That night, Anna settled into her bed restlessly. She couldn’t stop thinking about the man she had met. Suspicion would not let her be. Could Sir Rupert be a fortunate hunter, seeking to marry her for financial gain?
It was one of the possibilities. If those were his intentions, then he would be sorely disappointed, for Anna had no desire to marry again. All she wanted was a peace of mind, which would follow immediately upon regaining the financial stability of the estate that was now hers.
She tossed and turned all night long, her mind a battleground of thoughts that pulled her in all directions. There was Sir Rupert with his calculating eyes, Lady Genevieve with her veiled animosity, and finally, the Duke of Blackthorn, the only one she wanted to think about. But instead of remembering his touch, doubts crept up from somewhere behind her. She had not heard from him—not a letter, not even a single note to reassure her.
Trust him,that little voice inside of her urged. She wondered whose side it was on. And worst of all, she did trust him, perhaps a little more than she ought to have. Thinking about him did not provide her with a peace of mind. On the contrary, it stirred her beyond anything she could even imagine, and she knew she would need steadfast resolve to enjoy their arrangement without becoming fully immersed in it.
Chapter 16
