Page 70 of Duke of Bronze
Anna stared at her, scarcely able to reconcile what she was hearing with the man she thought she knew.
"He has long been a friend to those in need," the woman continued, eyes bright with admiration. "And his charity began long before he came into his title. Even as a young man, he gave from his own purse, ensuring that no child was turned away, that no mother was left without aid. A fine gentleman, His Grace. A rare one."
A slow warmth spread through Anna's chest, soft and deep. She had known Colin to be generous, but this—this was something else entirely.
It was one thing to donate funds when one bore the fortune of a dukedom. It was quite another to give freely, without obligation, without expectation, without the title to command it.
Defying his father's principles, no doubt.
Anna had always thought she knew Colin Caldwell. But now, she saw there was so much more to him than she had ever imagined.
By the time she took her leave of the stall owner and her niece, her spirits had lifted considerably. Clutching her jar of marmalade, she made her way back toward the carriages, humming a quiet tune to herself as she wove through themarket stalls. She was already imagining breakfast the following morning, the marmalade spread generously over warm bread.
The thought was pleasant. As was the lingering warmth in her chest.
Just as she passed a fruit cart, however, a firm hand closed suddenly around her wrist.
Anna gasped, her body tensing in alarm. Her fingers tightened around the jar of marmalade, and she very nearly lost her grip on it altogether.
She turned sharply—only to find herself face to face with Colin.
Her pulse, already unsteady from the fright, stuttered in a wholly different manner.
"Pray, do youdelightin startling one so dreadfully?" she demanded, pressing her marmalade tighter against her chest as if it might steady the racing of her heart.
"Yougavemea fright," Colin accused, sounding exasperated. "Wandering off in such a manner—I spent an age looking for you. I had begun to think something might have happened."
A sharp breath hitched in Anna's throat at the unexpected weight behind his words. There was genuine concern laced within them, unmistakable in his furrowed brow and the wayhis shoulders seemed only now to loosen. The realization settled deep within her, both surprising and… oddly pleasing.
Could it be that he truly cared?
And why—heavens,why—did she suddenlywanthim to care?
Before she could formulate a response, his gaze swept downward to the jar she still clutched to her chest, as though it were a prized treasure.
"You wandered off to purchasejam?" he asked, raising a dark brow.
"Marmalade," Anna corrected primly, lifting her chin as she held up her acquisition with no small measure of pride. "The finest I have ever tasted. And," she added, her eyes brightening, "it was a gift."
Colin regarded her for a moment before shaking his head with a low chuckle. "You are a never-ending stream of surprises, are you not?"
Anna merely smiled. "The stall owner and her niece, Marjorie, were most generous."
"How magnanimous of them to bestow gifts upon strays," he mused, his lips curving in amusement.
"Strays?" Anna echoed, brow arching.
"Only strays wander off and cause their companions unnecessary distress," he accused once more, though there was no real reproach in his voice—only something warmer, lighter.
Anna rolled her eyes, though an undeniable thrill coursed through her at his words. He had been worried.For her.
"Must be made from the mostexquisitefruit to be so delightful," she murmured, scrutinizing her marmalade with newfound appreciation.
Colin regarded her for a long moment, his expression unreadable, before he suddenly asked, "Speaking of enchantment… would you care to see something truly magical?"
Anna tilted her head, considering him with playful suspicion. "If, by enchanting, you mean my own reflection in a looking glass, then by all means."
For a fleeting second, perplexity crossed his features, but it was quickly replaced with understanding. And then, to her immense satisfaction, he threw back his head and laughed.
