Page 75 of Duke of Bronze
He knew well of Anna's generosity. Her kindheartedness had always been boundless. But to hear another man—thisman—speak of it with such familiarity, suchcertainty…
"Lady Anna simply would not stay away," Roderick added, a quiet look settling over his face.
Colin's grip on his glass tightened imperceptibly. That twist in his gut turned to something sharper; something that left a bitter taste upon his tongue.
She could not stay away?
How absurd.
And yet, the words lingered, taunting him.
CHAPTER 29
"Iwould like to redeem my loss from the last game, Your Grace," Fiona announced, extracting a deck of cards from one of the baskets with an air of challenge.
Colin leaned back against the tree trunk, a slow smile playing at his lips. "You ought to surrender while you still have some dignity, Lady Fiona. We both know that will not happen." They were having a picnic out of doors with all the guests.
"My pride would never allow it," she returned, lifting her chin with mock defiance.
"You are far too ambitious for your own good, Fiona," Hester quipped, while Nancy laughed in agreement.
The exchange was lighthearted, filled with easy amusement. But Anna found little enjoyment in it.
The setting was, in truth, quite idyllic. Colin had arranged a picnic for the guests deep within his estate, by the banks of a picturesque stream. The breeze was cool and invigorating, rustling through the branches above, while birds flitted about, their cheerful songs filling the air.
Yet, despite the beauty of the surroundings, Anna felt a creeping discomfort settle over her.
She tried to focus on the spread before them—delicate sandwiches, ripe fruit, and chilled lemonade—but her gaze kept straying to Colin and Fiona as they prepared their game. The easy camaraderie between them, the way he laughed at her jests, the manner in which she leaned in, utterly at ease in his company…
Anna's stomach twisted.
She rose abruptly, brushing the crumbs from her skirts. As she did so, she became aware of Elizabeth's gaze on her—sharp, assessing. Her cousin said nothing, but Anna did not miss the scrutiny in her eyes.
Thankfully, she did not press the matter.
"Where are you going?" Colin's voice cut through the din of conversation, drawing the attention of several guests.
Anna smoothed her hands over the folds of her dress and forced an easy smile. "My legs are beginning to feel quite numb from allthis sitting," she replied lightly. "I should like to stretch them for a moment."
It was not entirely untrue. But it was not the whole truth, either.
"How very inviting the stream appears," Elizabeth remarked, her voice light but pointed. She looped her arm through Anna's with a knowing smile. "I believe I shall join you, dearest."
Colin parted his lips as though to speak, but Anna found she had little patience to hear whatever he intended to say. Before he could utter a word, she turned, leading Elizabeth away from the gathering without so much as a backward glance.
The cool breeze and the gentle murmur of the stream should have soothed her. She focused on the soft trickle of water over smooth stones, the shifting patterns of light dancing upon its surface. Anything to keep her mind from straying back to the picnic.
But it was no use.
Fiona's lilting complaints of yet another imminent defeat reached her ears, followed almost immediately by Colin's deep, unrestrained laughter. A victorious, teasing chuckle that grated against Anna's every nerve.
She clenched her jaw. Not a single peal of their laughter went unnoticed, every sound only adding weight to the discomfort pressing upon her chest.
"I had not thought fresh-water streams harbored fish," Elizabeth mused, crouching slightly as she peered into the water with mild fascination.
Anna turned, latching onto the distraction with relief. "Some do," she said, feigning interest. "Trout, usually."
Her reprieve was short-lived.
