Ducal Encounters 02 - With the Duke's Approval (13 page)

Exhaustion washed through her as she slowly climbed the stairs and returned to her room. Fanny was waiting to treat her scrapes with Doctor Fisher’s ointment and then helped her into bed.

“I have another sleeping draft the doctor left for you.”

“No thank you, Fanny.”

“Are you sure, my lady? Her grace said to be sure you took it.”

“I don’t want it. You may leave me. I won’t need you again tonight.”

“No, ma’am, I cannot. Her grace gave instructions you were not to be left unattended. She said so quite specifically.”

“And I am telling you otherwise. Refer the duchess to me if she tries to blame you.” She clapped her hands. “Now shoo, off to your own bed.”

“Very well, my lady.” Fanny looked undecided, but Anna knew she would not disobey a direct order. “If you are sure.”

“Perfectly sure. Good night.”

“Good night, my lady.”

In spite of feeling so weary, Anna lay wide awake for a long time, staring at her bed’s canopy, counting her blessings in a way she hadn’t done since she was a child. Unlike the wretched souls she had seen shivering in the streets last night, she now felt snug, safe, and blessedly warm. She wriggled her toes and pulled her knees up to her chest, nestling more comfortably beneath her pile of covers. She was battered and bruised, it was true, but those bruises would heal in a short time. The mystery as to why the count was desperate enough to resort to kidnap would endure, but finer minds than hers were working to unravel that particular mystery. There was little more she could contribute.

Anna’s thoughts dwelt instead upon the delicate matter of winning Lord Romsey’s heart; something she was now quite determined to attempt. She was sure he enjoyed her society, and he seemed genuinely upset by her ordeal, but that wasn’t enough to satisfy Anna. She required him to let his guard down, put his admiration for her ahead of his duties, and admit to his feelings for her. Always supposing he entertained any, or that he was aware of them if he did.

Anna thumped her pillows into a more comfortable nest and scowled with determination. There was only one way to find out.

Even if he was aware of the attraction he felt, which was far from certain because men could be so silly about these things, Anna knew he would not act upon that knowledge. He wouldn’t act because…well, because he was too serious, too honourable, too everything that she was not. Well, they said opposites attract, did they not? There, she had diagnosed his problem. Now, all she had to do was make him equally aware of it. Unfortunately, her freedom would be severely curtailed until the marauding count and his underlings had been arrested, and Anna had no idea how long that would take. Now that she had decided to take action, she was not prepared to tolerate delays, and needed to create an opportunity to be alone with his lordship.

On the brink of falling asleep, temporarily defeated, an idea occurred to Anna; a rather reckless manner in which she and Lord Romsey could be thrown together. After her narrow escape, she could be forgiven for throwing off social restraints, could she not? If being kidnapped had taught her nothing else, at least she had learned life was precious. It most definitely ought to be grasped and lived to the full. Yes, it absolutely should. Anna drifted off to sleep with a smile on her cut lips and a plot incubating in her brain.

She slept very soundly and only the rattle of the drapes being opened woke her the following morning. Judging by the brittle sunshine that flooded the room, it was another crisp, cold day. Conscious of another person close by, she blinked sleep from her eyes and found her mother seated beside her.

“Mama, what time is it?”

“Good morning, Anna. It’s gone eleven. How do you feel?”

“Goodness, I must have slept for more than twelve hours.” Anna sat up and stretched. “That is not at all like me.”

“Heavens, child, after what you went through, I’m not in the least surprised. I only asked Fanny to open the curtains because it’s time to dress your poor wrists and ankles.”

“I’m glad you woke me, Mama. I don’t want to sleep the day away.”

“I hear you went downstairs last night,” the duchess said on a note of mild censure.

“I knew the boys would be anxious to learn all the particulars of my adventure.”

Mama shuddered. “I would hardly call it an adventure.”

“Well, anyway, it seems it is all to do with some diplomatic business that Lord Romsey is working to unravel.”

Anna’s mother sent her a probing, speculative look. “I am sure he is.”

“Would you care for some breakfast, my lady?” Fanny asked.

“Yes please, Fanny.” Anna still didn’t have much of an appetite, but replied pretended otherwise, partly to please her mother, but also because she would need her strength for what she had in mind.

“I shall be back directly,” Fanny said, beaming.

“How was the
musicale
, Mama? Did Portia get anywhere with her sleuthing?”

“Unfortunately not. The count and Miss Outwood sent their apologies. It seems a last minute invitation to dine at Carlton House supersedes anything else.”

Anna wrinkled her nose. “I had heard the count was a favourite of the prince’s. I dare say they deserve one another. And Miss Outwood will be beside herself with importance, having dined with the regent.”

“Lord Roker was all for dashing round here last night when he heard you were indisposed,” Mama said, fighting a smile.

Anna rolled her eyes. “I dare say he went home and composed more of his dire poetry.”

“You are being most unkind, my dear. He means well.”

“You wouldn’t say that if you had to listen to his poetry.”

Mama’s smile defied her best efforts to contain it. “No, most likely not.”

Fanny returned with Anna’s breakfast.

“I shall leave you to eat in peace,” Mama said, standing. “I suppose it’s pointless to suggest you remain in bed for the remainder of the day?”

“Absolutely.” Anna clasped her mother’s hand. “Don’t worry, Mama. I feel so much better today. Look, I can even flex my fingers,
and
they have been reduced to their normal size again. Well, almost.”

“That is something, I suppose.”

Once her mother left her, Anna toyed with her food while plotting her next move. When she had eaten sufficient, she had Fanny remove the tray and then help her from bed. Fanny smoothed more cream onto her scrapes and helped her to wash and dress. Anna then seated herself at her escritoire in the corner of her sitting room and reached for pen and ink. She had written this letter many times in her head last night, and now committed those words to paper with the same single-mindedness she had employed as a child when determined to join in her brothers’ games.

Lord Romsey
, she wrote.
I am pleased to say I woke disgustingly late this morning, having slept through the night with no bad dreams to disturb my repose. Mama tells me the count and Miss Outwood dined at Carlton House last night. Clearly, the count is intimate with the prince. I’m not sure if that is significant and, anyway, I don’t suppose I’m telling you anything you did not already know
.

Mama also tells me I must expect a visit from Lord Roker this afternoon. The prospect does not fill me with joy, and I am afraid that more terrible poetry will set back my recovery. Besides, how am I to explain away the state of my face if I am seen by any of society’s elite? A solution to both problems occurs to me. I am more determined than ever to revisit the east end and discover the location of my prison in the hope that will aid your investigation. It is in this respect that I write to beg your intervention
.

If you have any desire to be of service to me, can I prevail upon you to call immediately after luncheon and conduct me to that district? Don’t worry about my brothers causing difficulties. Vince and Nate make themselves scarce in the afternoons, taking refuge at their club to avoid the ladies who call on the pretext of seeing my mother, sister and I, but whose real purpose is to show themselves to my brothers. Zach will probably keep guard over Frankie, leaving you and I at leisure to explore to our heart’s content
.

If more pressing matters prevent you from keeping the engagement I shall, of course, be pleased to excuse you from it
. Although she had no intention of giving up that easily.

With best wishes, Annalise Sheridan
.

Anna took a deep breath before sealing her missive, feeling as though she was sealing a very great deal more than a letter of questionable validity written to a single gentleman. Mama would be horrified if she knew. Such things simply weren’t done by ladies of quality but, given the circumstances, Anna felt the rules seemed rather stringent. Besides, how could she press ahead with her plan to ensure Clarence Romsey learned to relax his rigid observation to duty if she never had the opportunity to see him alone?

Quite apart from that, she really couldn’t face receiving callers when she was still so battered and bruised. That aspect of her letter was absolutely true. Rumours would abound as to the cause of her injuries and all the trouble her family had taken to keep her abduction secret would have been in vain. More than one young lady felt aggrieved by Anna’s presence in the
ton
simply because she was so popular, and they would be happy to orchestrate her downfall by spreading rumour and innuendo that had no basis in truth.

What if Lord Romsey refused her? Well, Anna decided, if he did not grasp this chance to be alone with her, he wasn’t the man she thought him to be, and she would forget all about him.

“Fanny,” she said. “I need your help.”

“What is it, my lady?”

“I need you to have this note delivered to Lord Romsey in Moon Street.”

Fanny’s eyes widened. “My lady!”

“Don’t look like that, Fanny. It is to do with what happened to me, but I don’t want the duke, or any of my brothers, to know about it. They will only make a fuss. Can you trust that nice young footman you walk out with to deliver it for me without Mr. Faraday finding out?”

“How did you know…” Fanny blushed scarlet. “How did you know about Peter, my lady?”

“I saw you together in the park on your afternoon off. You looked very happy.”

“Oh, I am, my lady.” Fanny’s blushed deepened, but she did look desperately in love. Anna was pleased for her. “I hope you don’t think I’m acting improperly.”

“Not in the least. The duke does not mind what his servants do in their own time, just so long as they behave respectably.”

“Oh, we do. I don’t allow Peter to take liberties.”

Anna bit her cut lip to hold back a smile, wincing from the pain it occasioned her. “I am very glad to hear it.”

“This letter you want Peter to take…” Fanny dithered for a moment, but then nodded decisively. “Leave it to me, my lady. I shall make sure Lord Romsey gets it. Should Peter wait for a reply?”

“Yes please, Fanny.”

Fanny slipped the letter into her pocket and left the room. Anna remained where she was, reading a book. She did not wish the reply to arrive when she was with the rest of her family. They would want to know who was writing to her and she would prefer not to indulge in an untruth. As it transpired, Portia joined her in her room just before Fanny returned with the promised response from Lord Romsey.

“A secret admirer?” Portia asked, raising a brow.

“Shush, Portia, you must not say anything. I’m plotting a little sleuthing of my own with Lord Romsey, but if Zach were to find out before I’m ready to tell him—”

“I understand.”

“You are not going to try and talk me out of it?”

Portia laughed. “I know you too well to waste the energy.”

“Good, because I mean to discover, with Lord Romsey’s help, where it was that I was held. Always assuming he is not too frightened of Zach to agree to the scheme.”

“I can’t see your Lord Romsey being intimidated by anyone. Mind you, he lost his composure completely when you went missing, which is not something I expected to witness. He never seems anything other than suave and completely in control, but he was totally distraught when we were unable to find you.”

“What did he do?” Anna propped one elbow on her knee and cupped her chin in her splayed hand as she leaned towards her sister, keen for any snippet of information about the object of her affections.

“Well, he didn’t fume and rant in the way Vince and Nate did, but something very dark and dangerous moved behind those intelligent eyes of his. I should not have liked to be on the receiving end of that expression. His voice became very quiet, very clipped, and he had people running all over London in no time flat, trying to locate you. I had no idea he wielded quite so much power. I expected, at any moment, for him to call out the guard in his quest to find you. Were it not for Zach insisting the particulars of your abduction be kept confidential for fear of ruining your reputation, I believe that is what he would have done.” Portia grinned. “I am convinced he must be in love with you, just life half the rest of the single gentlemen in the
ton.”

“Lord Romsey only loves his occupation. I expect he was frantic because I was in his care when I was abducted. He probably worried about how Zach and the boys would react.”

“Oh, Anna, you goose!” Portia sighed. “Well, are you not going to open your letter?”

“When I have some privacy.”

“Ah, I see.” Portia’s smile was full of satisfaction.

“You see nothing at all. Now go away and stop bothering me. You can tell Mama I shall be down directly.”

“I do hope I am right, about Lord Romsey’s intentions, I mean. He is the only gentleman I have seen you take the slightest interest in since we arrived in London. If you would oblige me and accept his offer, I might then be able to enjoy myself without being compared to you the entire time and found wanting.”

Anna elevated one brow. “Fishing for compliments, Portia?”

“Not at all, sister dear. I just wish nature had been a little fairer in the distribution of her favours between the two of us, that’s all.”

“If that had been the case, I might be cleverer and I would then be able to bandy words with Lord Romsey on more equal terms.” Anna clapped her hands at her sister, shooing her from the room. “Now, go!”