Page 12 of Duke of Bronze
Morgan shook his head, the corners of his mouth twitching. "Bold of them to auction dates with thewild spinsterin the first place."
Colin chuckled. "Indeed. And yet, it was for a noble cause. The charities could use a high-yield spectacle every now and then."
Morgan let out a bark of laughter. "I cannot fathom your recklessness, Colin."
Indeed, Colin mused, his thoughts drifting back to Anna and the morning's conversation. That sharp tongue, that effortless defiance—her fire was magnetic. And if he wasn't careful, he might very well find himself burnt. But perhaps,perhapsthat was precisely what he wanted. A spark, a challenge. A final adventure before duty forced his hand.
Soft murmurs of conversation sifted through the air as the Giltford butler took their coats and hats upon their return. The house was noticeably warmer than the brisk London streets, but it was not the fire crackling in the hearth that arrested Colin's attention.
It was Anna.
Seated comfortably on the sofa, a baby nestled in her lap, she was utterly transformed from the infuriating woman who had spent the morning sparring with him. Gone was the sharp wit, the battle-ready stance.
In its place was something softer—something warmer. A gentle smile played on her lips as she cradled her niece, her light brown hair styled in a coiffure, with delicate curls framing her face, catching the glow of the afternoon sun. And those freckles—he had noticed them before, but never like this, never when she wasn't furrowing her brow at him in irritation. They dusted her nose, her cheekbones, so deceptively delicate against the fiery green of her eyes.
Deceptive,indeed. For he knew precisely what lay behind that softness.
The sight was almostunbelievable.
"Oh, we meet again," Colin drawled, stepping further into the room.
Anna's head lifted, her gaze locking onto his. Surprise flashed, but it was quickly replaced by something far more familiar—bite.
Ah, there it was.
Good, he thought impishly. That fire was still there, simmering beneath the surface, waiting for him to stoke it. And nettling her—however subtly—never failed to set it alight.
"What a delightful coincidence, Your Grace," Anna said, her smile so tight it could have been carved from marble.
"To meet you twice in less than twelve hours.Stupendous, indeed," she added in a manner so cloying it was a wonder she did not choke on it.
Colin's lips twitched. "Are you implying that I might have some ulterior motive in simply going about Town and calling upon my friends?"
Anna tilted her head, feigning deep contemplation. "Well, it is not every day one sees the same person a hundred times in a single day."
Colin let out a bark of laughter. "Ahundred? My word, such brazen exaggeration."
"Seeing you once is equivalent to fifty times," she countered smoothly.
"In that case, I am relieved to know I am at leastthatmemorable," he returned, his cheer only making her forced civility more pronounced. He saw it immediately—the subtle tensing of her shoulders, the way she swallowed, her throat moving just barely, as if forcing down the words she truly wished to say.
She was vexed. Good.
"I merely meant," she continued, her gaze holding his with something that was not quite irritation, "that you leave an overly profound taste—one not so easily digested."
Ah. A challenge. And yet… was that amusement lurking beneath her words?
She wasenjoyingthis. And God help him, so was he.
"Oh, you wound me with such statements, Anna," Colin declared with mock despair before turning to Morgan, who observed the exchange with a barely suppressed grin.
"Do you hear your sister-in-law, Giltford?" he said with a shake of his head.
"Oh, this sounds well beyond my capacity to interfere, man," Morgan chuckled, lifting his hands in mock surrender before exchanging a knowing glance with his wife.
Colin did not miss the silent exchange, nor the peculiar way both Giltfords regarded him and Anna once their attention returned to them. There was quiet amusement and calculation in their gaze.
Before Colin could decipher the meaning behind it, the butler appeared at the doorway and murmured something discreetly to Morgan.
