Page 4 of Duke of Bronze
Peggy and Elizabeth exchanged hesitant glances, clearly reluctant to leave her. "If you are certain…" Elizabeth began.
"I am," Anna lied.
Peggy sighed. "Very well. But do not sit here brooding for too long."
With that, the ladies gathered their skirts and filed out, leaving Anna alone in the quiet salon.
What am I to do now?
More importantly,what am I to do with Colin?
Anna sat in silence, willing herself to remain calm. She would manage. Shehadto manage. Five promenades and nothing more. Her family's reputation would remain intact, and once it was over, she would be free of him.
As she started feeling steadier, she stood, smoothing her skirts and taking a deep breath. She had spent long enough away from the event. She turned toward the door—only for it to open before she could reach it.
Colin stood in the doorway, his gaze sweeping over her, one corner of his mouth curved.
"You followed me." Anna could feel her pulse begin to skitter.
His lips quirked. "You make it sound so scandalous."
Anna folded her arms. "Itisscandalous. We are alone."
Colin stepped inside and let the door fall shut behind him. "You would be surprised how many scandalous situations go unnoticed. Especially in Almack's."
"You would know all about that." She narrowed her eyes.
His amusement faded. The air shifted, and his gaze darkened. With deliberate slowness, he stepped toward her. Anna retreated until her spine pressed against the wall.
"What are you doing?" she demanded.
Colin tilted his head, his voice low. "It seems I must teach you a lesson."
Anna's breath faltered, and her legs trembled as he closed the distance between them.
CHAPTER 3
"Colin, what do you mean?" Anna nearly winced at the waver she heard in her voice. Not from fear—no, she refused to credit Colin with the power to make her afraid—but from sheer incredulity.
He merely tilted his head, regarding her as though she were a puzzle he very much enjoyed deciphering. "It means, my dear, that your manners leave much to be desired."
Anna scoffed. "You wish to lecturemeon propriety? The same man who outbid half thetonto secure the dubious pleasure of my company?"
His lips twitched. "A duke is owed a certain level of respect, wouldn't you agree?"
Anna narrowed her eyes. "Respect is earned, Your Grace."
"There, you see? Progress," Colin laughed. "I do believe this is the first time you have addressed me appropriately."
"You are impossible." Her hands curled into fists at her sides.
"And yet, here I stand, entirely possible."
Anna let out an exasperated breath and crossed her arms over her chest. "If you believe I will simper at your feet and allow you to parade me about like a prize mare, you are sorely mistaken."
"Ah, but youwill." Colin leaned slightly closer, the glint in his amber eyes entirely too pleased. "Five days, in fact. That is what I paid for, after all."
Anna bristled. "I ought to shove you. Better yet, I will have my dogs bite you."
