Page 59 of Duke of Bronze
Peggy shook her head fervently, eyes wide with genuine wonder. "No teasing, I assure you. You appear every inch the captivating siren, capable of ensnaring even a duke."
"Precisely!" Petunia chimed triumphantly, clapping her hands together in open satisfaction. "She looks exactly as she ought to charm a duke. Do you not agree, Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth's smile widened knowingly. "Indeed. Copperton will surely find himself quite unable to resist."
Anna straightened her shoulders, drawing herself up with mock indignation. "I have no intention of charming anyone, least of all His Grace." But even as she spoke, a nervous flutter began to stir within her.
"Of course not, dear," Petunia agreed, though her expression clearly indicated she believed otherwise. "Now, come along. It is nearly time."
Anna rose reluctantly, gathering her skirt and following her cousins out of the room. Descending to the drawing room, she wore a smile of polite anticipation—one she hoped masked the agitation she felt.
Yet as she stepped into the bustling chamber, her smile faltered.
There, across the room, stood Colin—looking infuriatingly handsome in evening attire. He was deep in conversation with Fiona, who appeared utterly enchanted. Anna's heart performed a troubling leap as Colin bent gallantly, pressing his lips briefly to Fiona's knuckles.
Something sharp twisted inside Anna's chest, startling her enough that she nearly stumbled. Heat flared in her cheeks, and her gloved fingers curled into her palms at her sides.
"Anna?" Elizabeth murmured gently. "Are you quite well?"
She forced a reassuring smile. "Perfectly."
But as Colin straightened, catching her gaze and murmuring something politely to Fiona, Anna's stomach tightened unpleasantly. He crossed the room in determined strides, pausing to exchange brief pleasantries with Peggy and Elizabeth before finally stopping in front of her.
"I was beginning to fear you had reconsidered," Colin said, his voice a teasing murmur meant only for her ears.
Anna stood by the fireplace in the elegantly furnished drawing room, gripping her fan tightly as Colin approached, his amber gaze dancing with mischief. She tilted her head slightly, striving to appear composed, even though her pulse had quickened traitorously.
"You have been scarce today, Your Grace," Anna teased lightly, lifting her chin slightly as she met his gaze. "I was beginning to think you were avoiding me."
Colin chuckled softly, a rich, resonant sound that sent an irritatingly pleasant shiver down her spine. "Avoiding you? Never. You underestimate your power, Lady Anna."
Her heart skipped traitorously, and she busied herself by pretending to adjust her glove, buying time to regain composure. "Oh? And what power might that be, pray tell?"
"The power to distract," he replied smoothly, stepping closer with a subtle smirk. "It is most inconvenient, I assure you."
Anna arched an eyebrow, her fingers curling nervously into her palm. "Then perhaps you ought to reconsider inviting such distractions to your home, Your Grace."
"I prefer to keep my enemies close," Colin murmured teasingly, his amber eyes gleaming as he leaned just slightly forward.
"Enemies?" Anna laughed softly, forcing her heart to steady. "Surely, I am not quite that formidable?”
"Indeed you are," he assured her, the warmth in his voice deepening. "You are exceedingly dangerous, Anna."
She inhaled sharply, feeling heat bloom across her cheeks as she forced herself to look away. Drat the man. He seemed determined to rattle her; and worse still—he was succeeding.
Anna moved a step away, making a grand show of admiring the ornate mantelpiece. "Well, danger or not, I confess I am here solely for the promise of dinner. After all, why else would I have accepted your invitation?"
Colin placed a dramatic hand over his heart. "You wound me, Lady Anna."
Anna turned back toward him with exaggerated scrutiny, tilting her head with a playful seriousness. "I see no blood, Your Grace. Perhaps I should try harder?"
He laughed again, the sound warm and genuine. "Must you draw blood before you are satisfied?"
"Perhaps," she replied mischievously, allowing a slight smile to break through despite her best efforts to appear indifferent.
Before he could retort, Petunia's voice carried from the hallway, signaling it was time to gather for dinner. Colin offered Anna his arm with practiced ease, guiding her into the dining room. The murmured whispers and sidelong glances of the other guests did not escape Anna's notice. Her shoulders tensed, and she forced her expression into one of polite neutrality as Colin graciously seated her.
As they ate, Anna could feel his gaze frequently returning to her, warm and persistent, even when she busied herself conversing with her cousins or selecting delicacies from her plate. Each subtle glance from him made her pulse flutter uncomfortably, prompting her to shift slightly in her seat or raise her glass to conceal the warmth creeping into her cheeks. She was unaccountably aware of every movement he made, from the graceful lift of his wineglass to the slight tilt of his head as he listened to his guests. It was positively maddening.
