Page 34 of Duke of Bronze
Her stomach twisted.I do not understand it. I do not wish to understand it.
The thought unsettled her more than she cared to admit. Because deep down, she feared she already knew the answer. And she dreaded the moment she would have to face it.
"Why, are your cheeks not positively burning up at the mention of the Duke?" Fiona's teasing cut through Anna's wandering thoughts, dragging her most unwillingly back to the present.
Anna forced herself to meet the expectant gazes of her friends. The identical gleam of curiosity in their eyes made her feel suddenly self-conscious, and to her dismay, the warmth in her cheeks only deepened under their collective scrutiny. She had never been one to shy away from conversation, but at that moment, she felt very much like an insect beneath a magnifying glass—examined, exposed, utterly defenseless.
She parted her lips, fully intent on a scathing retort, but even she knew thatnothingshe could say now would dissuade them from their relentless teasing.
"Oh, do look at her!" Hester exclaimed, clasping her hands together in delight. "Already blushing at the mere thought of him."
"I am not," Anna countered swiftly, though she was painfully aware that her heated cheeks betrayed her words.
"Indeed?" Nancy arched a brow. "You are pinker than a summer rose, dearest."
Anna let out a breath, willing herself to remain composed. "It grows late. I should think you three have dinners to return home to."
"And miss an opportunity to see you further flustered over the Duke?" Nancy chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Dinner cancertainlywait."
"Besides," Hester added with a smirk, "I am quite certain your dear father would not object to hosting three charming young ladies for supper."
Anna narrowed her eyes. "They say it is rather poor manners to invite oneself to dinner, Hester. Quiteintrusive, in fact."
Fiona gasped in exaggerated offense. "Since when doyoucare for propriety?"
"Since the Duke splurged at the auction," Nancy supplied with a wicked wink.
That was the moment Anna gave up all pretense of indifference and let out a reluctant laugh, shaking her head at her incorrigible friends.
As the evening wore on and their conversation drifted to other subjects, the ladies at last rose to take their leave. But before stepping out, Nancy turned back with an impish grin.
"Oh, and before we forget," she said, "the date for the charity ball has finally been set."
Anna nodded, relieved by the shift in subject. "That is good to hear."
"And of course," Nancy continued, her eyes gleaming, "weshallextend an invitation to the Duke of Copperton. It would be most remiss not to, after all of hisgenerouscontributions at the auction."
Anna opened her mouth to protest, but before she could utter a single word, her friends had already bid their final farewells and slipped out the door—leaving her alone with her lingering mortification.
CHAPTER 14
"Oh, why else do you think she is called the Wild Spinster?"
Colin stiffened, his fingers curling imperceptibly around his tumbler as he turned an ear toward the conversation. The words were coming from a nearby table.
He had come to White's for a quiet drink; to gather his wits after a particularly irksome afternoon. Yet, it seemed peace was not to be found tonight.
"I hear her spinsterhood is self-imposed," another voice murmured, lowering in that manner that men often employed when they wished to appear well-informed.
Colin fought the urge to shift in his seat, forcing his grip to remain steady.What, pray, do you mean by that?he thought, though he did not say it aloud.
"What do you mean?" a third voice, younger, less assured, inquired.
"Why, she chose to remain wild and unmarried, what else?" the second voice answered smugly.
A dry chuckle followed. "I am a testament to that."
There was something in the way the first gentleman spoke that immediately set Colin's teeth on edge. A bitterness that was at odds with the forced levity in his tone. Colin had heard that kind of tone before—wounded pride masquerading as indifference.
