Page 122 of If the Slipper Fits
“Who is it?” Caden asked, sounding more curious than annoyed.
“The Dowager Duchess of Wentworth, and to say she’s impatient for Miss Masters to return from her walk would be putting it mildly.”
***
Zeke departed ahead of them, allowing them a few minutes to, as he put it, finish their tour of the garden.
Wearing an indulgent grin, Caden smoothed and tucked her mussed hair ’til she was forced to swat his hands away. She did allow him to amend her efforts at tying the bow at her bodice so that it resembled an actual bow rather than the knot she’d accomplished in her haste to cover herself.
She would never recover from her embarrassment over Zeke discovering she and Caden in suchflagrante dishabille.
Not that she had time to worry over his opinion of her. She had bigger problems to sort.
“Are you looking forward to reuniting with your ex-employer? You appear to be in quite a hurry.” Caden spoke in a neutral tone.
His long legged stride kept pace with Anna’s trot with seeming no difficulty at all.
“I am. Although…” She paused, unable to put into words the sudden anxiety racking her. “I’m unsure what to expect from her.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, has she come to collect me to resume my duties?”
Caden slammed to a halt, his hands grasping Anna’s shoulders, turning her to face him.
“You’re not going anywhere.” His voice brooked no dissension. Still, faint worry lines etched his forehead.
Did he fear she might choose Lady Wentworth over him? She did care for the woman, a great deal. But her heart belonged to Caden. Had it escaped his notice she agreed to marry him before their magical lovemaking in the garden?
“I’m not, no,” she agreed softly.
His expression relaxed, but he lifted one hand to rub the pad of his thumb between her brows.
“What on earth? Do I have a smudge of dirt between my eyes?”
“You’re scowling so hard you’re in danger of giving yourself a permanent crinkle. What are you afraid of, if not that?”
“I’m not afraid.” She bit her lower lip, then stopped when his gaze tracked to her mouth.
“The truth is, I don’t know why she’s come.Now,I mean. And why so anxious to lay eyes on me? I can’t help feeling…” she shrugged, helpless to explain. “As if everything in my life is about to change.”
He wrapped her in his arms. He was warm and solid and, despite what he thought of himself, everything good in a man.
“The grande dame probably wants to see for herself you made it, safe and sound. Or mayhap she has news of Bolton. Either way, we’ll hear her out together.”
Together.The word sent a little thrill of happiness through her, dispelling her sense of doom. “Iamglad she’s here. I owe her so much and have so many questions.”
He sent her his most devastating smile. “Let us go get your questions answered.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Afootman stood at attention on the portico near the back door. He informed Caden and Anna the household awaited them in the grand parlor.
Hand on the small of her back, Caden led her through a maze of corridors.
Soon they neared a massive doorway opening into a chamber Anna had yet to visit. A muted din of somber voices greeted them as they crossed the threshold.
The parlor was large and lushly appointed with gold filagree trimmings, marble statuary and hearth, velvet drapery and cushions, and quite definitely formal. It occurred to her the family had treated her as one of their own since her arrival.
