Page 38 of Duke of Bronze
Rather than answering, he let a slow smile curve his lips. "It truly does seem," he mused, "as though you are an angel to everyone—exceptme."
"What is that supposed to mean now?" Anna asked, her steps quickening as though she could leave both the conversation and him behind.
Colin easily matched her pace, refusing to be dismissed. "I speak of your volunteer work at the foundling hospital," he said, watching with interest as a flush crept up her neck.
"That is no business of yours," she said, tilting her chin in that stubborn way of hers.
"Such work is nothing to be ashamed of, Anna."
"I am not ashamed," she shot back. Her fingers tightened around the edges of her cloak. A moment passed before she added, "It is simply heartbreaking that so few acknowledge there is a world beyond the luxury of the aristocracy. A world aching for help."
Colin remained silent, her words striking an unexpected chord within him. He had always understood suffering—had worked in his own way to ease it in the country—but there was something about the way Anna carried the weight of it that made him see it anew.
"Your compassion is commendable," he said after a pause.
She turned to him with an arch look. "And your penchant for lurking and following is equally commendable, Your Grace."
He smirked. "Can you not accept a simple compliment without deflecting it with sarcasm?"
"I would not be myself if I did," she said, her lips twitching.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "How did you find me?"
"I saw you by chance," he admitted. "And when you headed into the East End, I sought to ensure your safety."
She studied him, her gaze sharp. "Should I thank you, then?"
"It would be the proper thing to do," he teased.
"Do not expect it."
Colin looked about for a hackney, then back at Anna. "Tell me, do you always traipse about London unescorted, or is this a pastime reserved for particular days of the week?"
"You make it sound as though I wander about aimlessly. I had a purpose," Anna scoffed.
"Yes. A noble one," he admitted. "But do you not find it exhausting? Giving so much of yourself both here and in Mayfair?"
She shrugged. "I find it far more exhausting to pretend such suffering does not exist."
Colin considered her words, nodding slowly. "Perhaps I shall accompany you next time. See this world you are so determined to save."
Anna shot him a skeptical look. "And what would a duke do at a foundling hospital? Buy the children silk waistcoats?"
He let out a laugh. "If you must know, I have done my fair share of helping. But I dare say I have never fed a room full of children."
"Then it would be quite the experience for you," she said.
Colin grinned as he found a hackney. He handed his horse to a young man with a coin to look after it before helping Anna into the carriage. "Must you accompany me?" she asked when he climbed in after her.
Colin pressed a hand to his chest. "You wound me, Anna. Truly. I only wish to ensure your safety."
"You will recover." She smiled.
Their time flowed effortlessly, and when they reached her home, she did not move to exit the carriage immediately. Colin was equally loath to end their time together. "I shall send word about our second outing soon," he said.
She gave a brief nod, but uncertainty shadowed her eyes. "You do not need to help me down," she said when he moved toward the door, even though the carriage was some distance away from her house. "We should not be seen together like this."
Colin nodded, and several minutes after she had left, he instructed the driver to take him to his manor.
