Chapter 32
Anne’s healing progressed well, and within a week, she was able to walk without pain. But the easing of the pain in her ankle didn’t negate the growing pain in her heart.
Colin had carried her downstairs for supper each evening those first few days, and he arrived in her bedchamber each morning precisely at eight to enquire how she was faring.
However, the firm set of his jaw and the cool, distant gaze in his eyes belied his polite attentions.
Even amid the noise of repairing the wall, he spent the majority of his time locked away in his study, and she’d spent precious little time alone with him.
For the first week after her horrible entrapment, he refused her invitations to her bed, stating he didn’t want to further injure her.
When she’d proven she could walk without wincing, he’d acquiesced and made love to her.
Although still a generous lover, he seemed to hold back the part of himself she’d glimpsed that day on the folly.
She needed to tell him Greene and Mrs. Campbell were conspiring against her, but how could she when he’d been so angry with her? He’d no doubt think, due to her vivid imagination, she’d made the whole thing up. She needed to soothe the waters between them first.
As she lay in his arms the second night he’d returned to her bed, she asked, “Are you still angry with me?”
He stared up at the ceiling. “I’m not angry with you, Anne.”
“Then what is it? Why won’t you talk to me?”
He turned toward her. “I thought I was talking to you.”
“You know what I mean. Tell me what’s wrong. Something is troubling you.”
None too gently, he jerked his arms away, threw back the covers, and rose from the bed. “I have a lot on my mind. My father, the writ of acceleration, the MP position. I know you don’t like to think about unpleasant things. I’m trying to spare you. Now, get some sleep.”
When he strode from her room, she threw a pillow at his retreating backside and wished it were something heavier. “Ogre!”
No muffled laugh followed, only the soft click of the adjoining door to his bedroom.
Her body fell against the soft mattress, and she pulled the other pillow over her face before letting out a blood-curdling scream of frustration.
The next morning, she rose to find Colin had already eaten and once again secluded himself in his study with the door closed.
What kind of marriage would they have if he avoided her except in a pursuit to produce an heir?
Anne wanted more than an emotionless arrangement. Try as she might, the chasm between them had grown and seemed too great to cross. Not if he wouldn’t meet her half-way.
Her instinct was to leave, to run far away and avoid the pain Colin’s indifference inflicted. Had Andrew anticipated the outcome of her hasty marriage?
She’d been surprised prior to the wedding when he’d said, “I insisted on a stipulation in your marriage contract, wherein if you find the arrangement too unbearable and wish to return home to us in Kent, Manning will release you without argument. But give him a chance, Anne. I believe it will all work out for the best.”
At the time, she thought little of it, considering it an escape clause to protect her from the type of abusive marriage the Duchess of Ashton had endured before her marriage to Harry.
But at that moment, the lure of Kent, of being greeted with smiles and pleasant conversation, where people were happy to be around her, beckoned like a siren call. She marched back to her room and called Joan.
“Pack my trunks. I’m going home.”
Joan blinked. “Home? But, my lady, you are home.”
“To Kent. Away from this awful place with servants who hate me, and a husband who doesn’t care if I live or die.
” Deep inside, she knew the latter wasn’t true.
Colin did care about her, if nothing else, as a vessel to produce an heir.
But she was more than a baby-maker, and she wanted a husband who wasn’t present in body only.
Joan stared wide-eyed.
“Well, get cracking! I’m going to go find the girls and say goodbye.”
Miss Hart had left to stay with her ailing mother for a few days, and Anne found the girls in the solarium.
Hands on her hips, Cassie stood as straight as a soldier in front of her younger sister. “Read that passage again, Ellie, and this time, put some feeling into it.”
Ellie’s bottom lip stuck out, and Anne half expected the girl’s tongue to follow. “I’m trying! Some of these words are hard.”
A sharp, uncomfortable pressure squeezed Anne’s chest as she watched the girls she’d grown to love. She would have to find the precise time to tell them. To make sure they knew it wasn’t anything they had done wrong.
She gave a soft cough to announce her presence. “Am I interrupting?”
Ellie dropped the book onto the table, raced forward, and then threw her arms around Anne’s waist. “Save me, Mama Anne. Cassie is so mean!” She gazed up at Anne. Unshed tears misted the child’s eyes.
“I am not mean,” Cassie protested. “I’m merely trying to continue our lessons while Miss Hart is away.”
Arm around Ellie’s slight shoulders, Anne guided her back to the table and picked up the book.
“Let’s see what you’re reading.” The title Emma elicited a bittersweet smile.
“This might be a little advanced for Ellie, Cassie. Rather than reading lessons, why don’t we take the puppies outside for a while? ”
In an instant, Ellie’s face brightened. “Yes! We can study the trees and plants.”
Although Anne had little interest in horticulture, at least they would get some fresh air. Perhaps outside she would find the right words.
“Miss Hart has a book we can use,” Cassie said, apparently warming to the idea. “Let me find it.”
With the book located and the puppies weaving their way between the girls’ legs, they explored the gardens while Cassie flipped through the pages to identify the different plants and trees.
Anne’s mind drifted as she gazed at the folly in the distance and remembered the day she first realized she loved Colin.
Had it really only been a little over a week? It seemed ages ago.
How could she ever forget that day? For a brief moment, the mask he wore slipped, and she’d seen the real Colin hiding beneath. But then, just as suddenly, the mask slid back on, more firmly in place than before.
Anne clung to that glimpse of the man beneath the grouchy facade. Why did he hide the gentle, loving man within? What was he afraid of?
She gazed at the girls as they examined some wildflowers.
Although running from her problems and seeking diversion from her pain had been how she’d lived for so long, it suddenly felt like a coward’s way out.
Marriage to Colin meant responsibility to someone other than herself.
How could she leave the girls motherless again?
Even if she were a coward, Anne wasn’t cruel.
It was time to grow up and face her problems like a woman.
To fight for what she and Colin—and the girls—could have as a family.
But first, she needed help.
Colin stretched, his neck aching from leaning over the ledger. A quick glance at the clock indicated he’d been working for over four hours.
Four hours! Undisturbed? The silence shouted a warning. Bereft of Anne’s exuberant chatter which exacerbated the girls’ boisterous natures, the house seemed as solemn as a tomb, reminiscent of the weeks following Margery’s death.
No one had dared disturb him then but rather had left him alone to drown in his grief. It had been a dark time.
But the past month, brightened with Anne’s sunny nature and warm smiles, had lifted him from the gloom and despair. His life had not only become tolerable, but—dare he say it?—joyful.
At least until he’d withdrawn into his protective shell after her recklessness had left her injured.
But at the moment, the previous silence he had embraced like a long-lost friend, burrowing himself into it, weighed heavily.
After a soft tap on the door, Greene entered. “My apologies, sir. Correspondence from the Crown has arrived.” He held the silver salver before him as if it contained the most precious of objects.
Colin straightened to attention and snatched the letter from the tray. His gaze dropped to another letter from Mr. Sedley underneath it, and he plucked it up as well. He held a finger up, indicating Greene should wait.
He opened the letter from the Crown first. If King William had awarded the writ of acceleration, Colin preferred to get the bad news over first.
The Right Honorable Viscount Manning
My Lord,
We have received the request from The Most Honorable Marquess of Stratford and yourself regarding a writ of acceleration.
As you are aware, we do not award admittance into Lords under such circumstances lightly.
The Crown requests your appearance to plead your case in person.
If you do not appear in court by Thursday next from the date of this letter, we will presume you no longer wish to pursue the matter.
William R
Thursday! Colin’s gaze drifted to the date of the letter. Sent five days ago, the letter must have been delayed during transport. He peered up at Greene. “Today is Tuesday, correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
Did the king think he could fly to London in a matter of hours? He would have to leave posthaste.
However, the letter from Sedley called to him. Surely, he could take a few minutes to read the man’s missive. With shaking hands, Colin broke the seal and read.
My Lord,
Wonderful news! Recent accounts indicate you have gained favor with the men of the borough and, although not guaranteed, the outcome for the election appears most favorable for your victory.
With the election a week away, one more appearance, especially with your charming wife, would go far in aiding your cause. May we expect you in town this Thursday for a final appeal? I will make all arrangements. Send word immediately if you are agreeable.
Your most obedient servant,
John Sedley