Page 13 of Duke of Bronze
Morgan sighed, but smiled, leaning down to press a kiss to the button nose of his daughter before rising to his feet. "Duty summons," he said smoothly before excusing himself.
The tiny girl, seemingly under the assumption that her father intended to scoop her into his arms, let out a wail of protest the moment he was gone. Her small face scrunched in dismay before she burst into tears, her distress immediate and utterly uncompromising.
"Oh dear, she's getting colicky again," Peggy sighed, rising. "I should take her to the nursery. It is her feeding time as well."
Anna handed baby Victoria over, and Colin noted how quickly Peggy moved, her exit deliberate and—he suspected—entirely premeditated. Subtle matchmaking indeed. They were all incorrigible.
Now, left alone with Anna, he turned to her with a smirk. "You seemed quite the angel with baby Victoria. I did not realize you possessed such tenderness. None of the spite you so generously bestow upon me, eh?"
Anna arched a brow, her expression as sweet as poisoned honey. "Perhaps because I was holding anangel."
Colin let out a low chuckle. "And what does that make me, to warrant such venom? The devil?"
"Oh, I believe even the devil flees when you approach," Anna said, her voice light with feigned innocence, though the sly curve of her lips betrayed her amusement.
Colin arched a brow. "Then why, pray tell, areyoustill here?"
She lifted one shoulder in an elegant shrug. "I do enjoy a challenge."
He laughed, unable to help himself. She was a delight—a sharp, vexing, utterly captivating delight.
"One thing I neglected to mention earlier," he said, sobering slightly. "We must determine a date for our first outing."
She tapped a finger against her chin, as if considering whether to grant him the favor. "Ah, yes. The first offive," she mused. "A most daunting prospect."
"I shall endeavor to make itbarelytolerable for you," he returned dryly.
"Oh,barely? Such lofty promises, Your Grace."
He smirked. "I prefer to set reasonable expectations."
She hummed, tilting her head. "Shall I expect a written invitation, then? Or shall you merely appear on my doorstep, demanding my company?"
"Expect a note," he confirmed. "A proper gentleman follows convention, after all."
"Shocking," she said, eyes bright with mischief. "I never took you for a proper gentleman."
He let out a low chuckle, leaning slightly forward, elbows resting on his knees as he regarded her. "Then clearly I must work harder to surprise you."
She did not look away. Instead, she met his gaze head-on, fingers tracing idle patterns against the arm of her chair. "Do try."
Oh,he liked her. He liked her entirely too much.
"Just try not to gettooexcited," he taunted, unable to resist one final jab.
"I have no reason to be," she quipped, lifting her chin.
Colin caught her hand before she could withdraw it, turning it over in his grasp. His fingers skimmed the inside of her wrist,lingering there just long enough to feel the telltale jump of her pulse.
"I will give you one, Anna."
His lips brushed against her knuckles in a slow, deliberate kiss, a whisper of a promise he fully intended to keep.
Her lips parted, but no sound emerged. A becoming flush rose along her throat, blooming across her cheeks, and for once, she seemed utterly at a loss for words.
Satisfaction curled in his chest. Best to leave before she recovered enough to retaliate.
With a knowing smile, he released her and turned on his heel, making a swift exit.
