Page 58 of Duke of Bronze
Anna watched him with narrowed eyes, irritation warring with the inexplicable warmth rising to her cheeks. She clutched her reticule a little tighter.
After a moment, she cleared her throat lightly, forcing a smile. "I wonder what fate awaits us within," she said, deliberately airy.
Colin glanced back at her, his amber eyes gleaming with amusement. He leaned in just slightly again. "A little patience and you will find out, love."
The soft murmur, combined with his nearness, sent a shiver racing down her spine. Anna straightened abruptly, irritation flaring as heat rushed up her neck. She turned quickly, pretending sudden interest in a nearby painting on the wall.
Thankfully, her aunt chose that moment to bustle forward, cutting through the charged silence. “Anna, dear, we must begin preparations immediately. There is much to do before dinner."
Anna cast an incredulous glance at the clock on the far wall. "Dinner is hours away, Aunt Petunia."
Petunia waved a dismissive hand. "Nonsense, child. It is never too early to prepare oneself, particularly when dining with dukes."
Anna lifted her skirts slightly as she ascended the grand staircase, glancing over her shoulder toward Elizabeth, who followed just behind.
"She insists upon dressing for dinner, Lizzy," Anna whispered, the corners of her mouth twitching. "In the middle of the afternoon, no less. Can you fathom such eagerness?"
Elizabeth chuckled, shaking her head. "I must confess, Anna, nothing Aunt Petunia does surprises me anymore. You should know better by now."
"Precisely my point," Anna retorted, trying—and failing—to suppress her laughter as they reached the landing. "I fear the whole household will think we have taken leave of our senses."
"I doubt anyone would be astonished by that," Elizabeth teased gently, nudging her cousin's arm lightly.
Anna released a soft groan as they entered her assigned chamber. It was charmingly decorated, though Anna barely had time to appreciate it before Petunia's enthusiastic voice greeted them.
"Oh, there you are, Anna!" Petunia clapped her hands briskly. "Come, we must make haste. We have a great deal to do, and precious little time to do it in."
Anna sighed, shoulders slumping ever so slightly. "Aunt Petunia, dinner is hours away. There is no cause for such urgency."
"On the contrary, my dear," Petunia responded, gesturing to Miss Watson, Anna's maid, who was already unpacking dresses and laying out combs with alarming efficiency. "Preparation is paramount to success. If we are to ensure you are utterly enchanting, we must not waste a moment."
Elizabeth sank gracefully onto a chair by the window, a small smile playing at her lips. Anna cast her a helpless glance, receiving only a look of amused sympathy in return.
Hours later, Anna stood stiffly before the mirror as Miss Watson finished pinning the last curl in place. She resisted the urge to fidget, aware of her aunt's eagle-eyed inspection.
"Oh, Anna!" Petunia cried, pressing her hands together with delight. "You look simply exquisite. Utterly enchanting!"
Anna dared a quick glance at her reflection, noting with reluctant satisfaction how well the dress suited her figure, the emerald green velvet falling gracefully around her. Her cheeks colored faintly as she met her own gaze, her mouth quirking wryly despite herself.
"Well, Aunt Petunia," Anna drawled lightly, smoothing a fold in her dress, "I suppose I might be persuaded to admit that you did not entirely ruin me."
Elizabeth smothered a laugh behind her hand, while Petunia's expression darkened with mock seriousness. "A little enthusiasm would not go amiss, child. You will spoil the entire effect with that attitude."
Anna laughed softly, meeting Elizabeth's amused gaze in the mirror. "After the torture you have inflicted upon me, Aunty, you must allow me a bit of levity."
Petunia's mouth twitched as she struggled to maintain her stern facade. "Very well, I suppose a touch of mirth will not cause irreparable harm."
Just then, a gentle knock sounded at the door, and Peggy entered, smiling brightly at Anna's ensemble.
"It is nearly time, ladies," Peggy announced, casting an appreciative glance at Anna. "Dinner awaits, and Copperton is eager for your company."
"You have been uncommonly scarce today, Peggy," Anna observed mildly, glancing up from the vanity where Miss Watson had just finished pinning her hair into an elegant coiffure. "Only appearing in the nick of time to rescue me from Aunt Petunia's ruthless preparations."
Elizabeth stifled a laugh, shaking her head slightly as Peggy smiled sheepishly, smoothing a hand down her own dress.
"Oh, Anna," Peggy began, stepping closer with genuine admiration gleaming in her eyes, "you look positively enchanting. Like a heroine from one of my novels—magical and irresistible."
Anna felt warmth creep up her neck, and she turned her head aside in embarrassment, pretending to fuss with the lace on her sleeve. "Do not tease me, Peggy. I hardly look like one of your fanciful literary heroines."
