Page 47 of Duke of Bronze
What, pray, was she to do about him?
CHAPTER 18
"Oh, what a lovely surprise, Colin."
The Duchess of Giltford's warm greeting met him the moment he was ushered into her drawing room. Margaret set aside the book she had been perusing and regarded him with an arched brow.
"I do hope this visit is for me and not my husband?" she added, her expression turning wry with playful suspicion.
Colin chuckled as he stepped forward. "Rest assured, Margaret, my purpose here is entirely yours to enjoy."
Margaret's lips curled knowingly. "He is out on business at the moment, in any case," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "And besides, you owed me a proper call. It has been far too long since we last shared tea."
As if to emphasize her point, she rang the bell, no doubt summoning the very refreshments she had just referenced.
"You and Anna are certainly keeping society entertained with your outings," she continued slyly. "The gossip sheets have been quite beside themselves. I daresay they have not had such engaging material in some time."
Colin smirked. "And are you among those entertained?"
She lifted a delicate shoulder in an elegant shrug. "I shall not deny that I enjoy a good, harmless speculation." Then, with a conspiratorial glint in her eyes, she added, "Especially if it provides me ample opportunity to tease Anna. That girl is as stubborn as a mule, I tell you."
"Oh, I believe she may be worse," Colin countered with a laugh.
Margaret's laughter joined his, light and teasing, before their conversation was momentarily interrupted by the arrival of the tea service. Once the maid had discreetly withdrawn, Margaret poured a steaming cup and handed it to him with practiced grace.
"So then, Colin," she mused, her gaze assessing as she took her own cup in hand. "To what do I truly owe the pleasure of your visit?"
Colin leaned back against the settee. "I may have come seeking your advice."
Margaret's brow lifted ever so slightly, but she said nothing as she took a measured sip of her tea.
"I hope I can be of assistance," she said at last, setting her cup onto the saucer with an audibleclink.
He hesitated for but a moment before pressing forward. "I was wondering what activities Anna might enjoy."
Margaret stilled, studying him intently. A fleeting, enigmatic expression crossed her face, though amusement was clearly present.
"Are you seeking ideas for your outings, then?" she asked.
"One does aim to be prepared."
"Oh, Colin," Margaret's lips twitched, and she reached for her cup once more, "I daresay you have set quite the standard for yourself."
Colin cleared his throat. "I would like suggestions for something she would love. I should hate to think that I bore her."
Margaret tapped a thoughtful finger against the rim of her teacup, her gaze momentarily distant. Then, as if arriving at some great revelation, she said, "Anna does not care for glamour or elaborate gestures. She is adventurous, yes, but she is also a woman of simple pleasures. One of the most unpretentious people I know."
Colin quirked a brow. "Why, you make it sound as though a mere stroll in the park would delight her." He reached for a biscuit from the tray, breaking it in half before taking a bite.
"As a matter of fact, it very well might," Margaret chuckled fondly. "And, might I add, she does appreciate a good drink."
Colin smirked, entirely unsurprised. This was Anna, after all. And yet, despite knowing this, he still found himself inexplicably intrigued—fascinated, even.
"God knows she would overindulge if Uncle Sebastian did not keep her in check," Margaret giggled, shaking her head.
"A woman after my own heart," Colin mused, his amusement evident.
Margaret shot him a mischievous look. "Are you planning on indulging her, then? Uncle Sebastian would certainly not approve."
