Page 54 of Duke of Bronze
Anna regarded him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. The sight of her, the familiar sharpness in her gaze, steadied something within him, but it did not quell the unspoken questions simmering beneath the surface.
"You are stalking. And trespassing," she said, rolling her eyes in mock exasperation.
"The children would beg to differ," Colin countered as he pushed open the door for Anna.
The reaction was immediate. The ward erupted in delighted squeals as eager voices filled the space, calling his name, their excitement unrestrained.
"You came back!" Charlie exclaimed, practically bouncing in place. "And you brought something!" His wide eyes locked onto the package in Colin's hands with unmasked anticipation.
"I did promise, did I not?" Colin said, crouching down as he set the package on the nearest table.
"What is it?" Kitty asked, edging closer.
"Well, let us see," Colin teased, taking his time untying the strings. "Patience is a virtue, or so I am told."
"Patience is boring," Robbie grumbled, though he was grinning.
Anna shot Colin a knowing look, amusement dancing in her eyes. "You are terribly cruel, Your Grace."
"Ah, but I do so enjoy the dramatics," Colin responded with mock solemnity before finally pulling back the wrapping to reveal an assortment of wooden toys, dolls, and carefully wrapped parcels of sweets.
The children gasped in unison before their excitement exploded into joyous chaos. Little hands reached eagerly, laughter filled the air, and the sheer delight in their faces warmed something deep within Colin's chest.
Fisher had, indeed, outdone himself. The selection was perfect, and the children wasted no time in claiming their treasures.
For the first time in days, Colin allowed himself to smile—truly smile.
"My, you are full of surprises, are you not?" Anna remarked, her eyes holding an unusual gleam, as Colin handed the last of the wooden toys to the two little boys eagerly awaiting their turn.
It was evident she had not anticipated this from him, and for once, she made no attempt to hide her surprise. There was also warmth in her gaze... and something perilously close to gratitude?
"That was thoughtful of you," she said at last, quieter now.
Colin merely shrugged, brushing off the sentiment with an ease he did not entirely feel. "A promise is a promise," he replied, though his voice lacked its usual lightness. His gaze drifted over the children, watching as they clutched their new treasures with unfiltered delight. "They deserve far more than this."
Life is an unfair, wretched thing!He had always known it, but never had it felt as glaringly unjust as it did now. His thoughts turned, unbidden, to Roderick. To Lydia.
Fortunately, a small tug at his sleeve pulled him back from the edge of the Abyss. Blinking, he glanced down to find Kitty gazingup at him with wide, expectant eyes. In her small hands was a wooden toy carriage, its wheels now detached from the frame.
"Can you fix it?" she asked, holding up the broken pieces as though they were something precious.
Colin lowered himself onto the nearest bench, accepting the dismantled toy. "It would be my greatest honor, my little lady," he declared gallantly.
Kitty giggled, her curls bouncing as she plopped beside him, watching intently as he worked. Colin set about restoring the little carriage, his fingers working deftly to reattach the wheels.
And yet, even as he focused on the task, he felt eyes upon him. Looking up briefly, he found Anna across the ward in quiet conversation with Nurse Adams. Though her lips moved, her expression had shifted. Theamusement from earlier had been replaced by a grave and thoughtful look.
A strange unease curled low in Colin's stomach, one he did not understand. He turned his attention back to Kitty, offering her a smile as he handed over the now-mended toy. The delighted squeal she gave was enough to temporarily banish his thoughts, though not entirely.
The afternoon had been a success—the children's joy was infectious, and the hospital staff's gratitude was more than evident. And yet, as he and Anna prepared to leave, Colin could not ignore the curious manner in which Anna was regarding him.
For better or for worse, he would find out.
As they rode to Anna's house, the quiet between them stretched. She was uncharacteristically silent, her gaze fixed on the passing streets, her expression unreadable.
Colin found himself glancing at her more often than necessary, a strange unease settling in his chest. The usual fire in her eyes had dimmed, replaced by deep contemplation. He could not decide if he found it intriguing or unnerving.
"Is all well with you?" she asked suddenly, turning her gaze upon him.
