Page 14 of Duke of Bronze
As he stepped outside, a lingering warmth hummed through him—not just from the thrill of leaving her flustered but from the knowledge that, for all her retorts and barbs, Annahadreturned his flirting.
And he could not wait for more.
By the time he reached his horse, he was already crafting plans for their first outing. This,this, was precisely the distraction he needed—from Roderick, from the past, from his father's shadow.
CHAPTER 7
"It was time you three showed yourselves again," Anna declared as she strode into the drawing room where her friends awaited her.
She did not bother to conceal the arch of her brow, nor the pointed way she regarded each of them. She was still miffed, and she had no intention of letting them escape so easily after throwing her into such a ridiculous predicament. "Shock is one thing, but anauction?" Anna exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "Apublicspectacle? And worst of all, a bargain struck with that insufferable Duke?" She shook her head, crossing her arms. "You three have much to atone for."
Nancy Gallagher, ever the peacemaker, sighed. "Anna, we did not mean for it to be such a trial for you."
"We thought you might require a bit of time to…" Hester began hesitantly.
"Blow off some of that steam before you suffocate yourself in it," Fiona completed, her eyes dancing with mischief.
Anna shot her a glare, but it was half-hearted at best. Fiona had always been the one to poke at her, to tease when no one else dared. It was infuriatingly endearing.
"Oh, we are merely here to apologize, Anna dear," Nancy interjected, clearly attempting to rein in Fiona's impishness. "Do understand, we only meant well—for both you and the charity."
Anna folded her arms, drawing out the moment for effect. She let them squirm under her scrutiny, watched as Hester bit her lip, as Nancy's hands folded primly in her lap, as Fiona pressed her lips together, her hands curling slightly in her lap, as though bracing herself for a scolding, yet unwilling to let her friends take all the blame.
"Fine," she relented at last, and the trio's collective exhale was so exaggerated she very nearly laughed. "Butonlybecause it was in the name of charity." She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice with exaggerated gravity. "Do not let it happen again."
Fiona smirked. "No promises."
Anna narrowed her eyes, but the warmth in her chest could not be denied. Despite everything, despite their meddling, she had missed them.
“Oh, come now; at least you get five outings with the handsome Duke of Copperton," Fiona winked.
"If you thought him so handsome, why didn't YOU auction your time, then?" Anna laughed.
"Oh, but how was I to know that he would be the one to win the prize?" Fiona chuckled.
"At least it wasn't some greasy old lord who bought your time, Anna.” Hester gave a mischievous chortle as Anna rang for some tea for them.
"Oh, a greasy old lord would have been better," Anna responded.Than a devastating rake, she finished the sentence to herself, recalling the inexplicable effect and pull Copperton had on her.
"Oh, be careful what you wish for, Anna dear," Nancy laughed, and they all joined her in the mirth.
Once the amusement subsided, her friends leaned in, their eyes all glimmering with curiosity.
"So?" Fiona prompted. "How shall theseoutingsbe conducted?"
Anna let out a breath and settled back in her seat. "We have come to an understanding," she admitted. "We shall see it through."
It was, after all, only five afternoons. What was the worst that could happen?
"Oh, how wonderful!" Fiona clapped her hands, eyes bright with amusement.
"And perhaps these outings might yield some unexpected fruits," Nancy mused, sounding entirely too innocent to be trusted.
"Oh, no," Anna interjected swiftly, her eyes narrowing. "Do not eventhinkwhat I know you are thinking. Halt it at once, Nancy." She lifted a finger in warning, but it did little to deter her friend.
Nancy simply smiled before turning to Hester and Fiona, utterly undeterred. "Do you not think they make the most remarkable pair?"
"Oh, unquestionably," Hester agreed, nodding sagely. "A striking match, truly."
