Chapter 15
“Now, Sprightly, do not be stubborn,” Anna chided, her voice laced with barely concealed amusement. “I have told you already; you cannot go and meet the horses. They will scare you, and then I shall have to cuddle you for an hour to soothe you.”
The sweet baby goat had been happily trotting along at Anna’s side, attached to a long piece of rope she had loosely looped around his neck.
But now, he suddenly decided to strain toward the paddock where Jeremy kept his horse: a fine and formidable stallion, the color of winter light in the trees reflecting on fresh snow.
Dappled gray and white. Possibly one of the most beautiful horses Anna had ever seen.
“You are not a horse, Sprightly,” she half-laughed. “That is not your mother, nor your father.”
The goat bleated in protest, pulling once more to get to the paddock. Behind the fence, the stallion flicked his ears, snorting his disapproval at the little creature’s admiration.
“You see? He does not want to be friends with you.” Anna crouched down, and the small goat reluctantly wandered over to her, giving up his dream of being introduced to the noble steed.
He seemed to feel the exhaustion of the morning in his unsteady little twig legs as he flopped down on the grass and put his head across Anna’s feet.
“Yes, some rest is a rather wise idea,” she told him, as she rocked backward until her buttocks landed on the dew-soaked grass.
Sprightly hopped into her lap instead, where he curled up happily as she stroked her hand down the faint gray cross that followed the line of his spine and shoulders. A blessed creature, for sure.
Grateful for the peace and quiet, Anna closed her eyes and lifted her face to the glorious morning sunshine. There was hardly a cloud in the sky, yet the air still held the refreshing coolness of spring: a perfect day after a foggy night.
“But how can I leave, Sprightly?” she murmured. “What will happen to all of you if I move elsewhere?”
The goat said nothing, snuffling in his sleep.
“Then again, how can I stay?” she sighed. “The moment his family arrives, it will not be my home anymore. I will not be able to remain here, residing in the same house as his wife. The shame would kill me. And what if he has children?”
She grimaced, her mind exhausted from all the back-and-forth she had been experiencing since her quiet return to Stonebridge last night.
Jeremy had not mentioned children, but he had not talked about a family until he had already stolen her first kiss.
And her attempts to get more of his history out of him last night had not led to the answers that could have eased her worries.
Oh, what a scoundrel I am. I should never have followed him out into the gardens.
What was I thinking? Even if she had not kissed him, enjoyed him, longed for more of the pleasure he had spoken of, she would still have been risking her reputation and honor by being alone with him out there.
Yet, she had hurried out without a thought.
Just then, Sprightly raised his head, his ears flicking. Alerting to something.
“What is it, dear one?” she asked, shielding her eyes against the glare of the sun as she looked out across the grounds.
Seated on the front lawn, she had a clear view of everything: the manor, the orchards, the rolling hills in the distance, the woods, and the meadows. It was the perfect spot for a quick escape if she happened to see someone she did not want to face.
Please, do not let it be him.
She had successfully managed to avoid Jeremy all morning and had no desire to fail now.
A somewhat old-fashioned landau carriage, pulled by two enormous black-and-white horses, was just arriving through the gates. The crest painted on the side of the carriage was one she did not recognize, which instantly made her nervous.
Hoping that her seated position on the lawn made her small enough to avoid notice, Anna watched the carriage trundle down the driveway. It had not even come to a full standstill before the door flew open and a small child of perhaps five-years-old exploded from inside.
At the same moment, a figure came running out of the manor. The young girl let out a shriek of delight and stretched out her arms, running even faster to throw herself into Jeremy’s waiting embrace.
He swept her into his arms and spun her around and around, his face illuminated with a smile Anna had never seen before—a smile she never thought he was capable of forming.
“Do not be jealous, Sprightly,” Anna whispered. “I am certain he will not forget his affection for you.”
She felt that same, strange fluttering in her chest as she observed Jeremy and the little girl. Clearly, he adored her, for she was babbling away, and he was nodding along with that broad grin upon his face. For a moment, she was convinced she even heard him laugh.
But then, a woman stepped out of the carriage... and the butterflies fluttering in Anna’s chest turned to lead, dropping into her stomach.
The woman was one of the most beautiful women Anna had ever seen, with long, raven-black hair that flowed behind her as the spring breeze caught the shiny locks. She was tall and willowy, her skin as pale as moonlight, dressed in a dark gown that somehow made her even more mesmerizing to behold.
Jeremy’s smile softened when he saw the woman, and as she approached the steps to greet him, Anna’s stomach lurched. Jeremy extended his arm and pulled the woman into a tight embrace, his cheek pressed against her silky hair. Meanwhile, the little girl was squeezed between them, laughing loudly.
His wife and his daughter.
It had to be.
Anna felt suddenly queasy, for Jeremy did not just have a family, he had a beautiful family. A family who clearly adored him, whom he obviously adored in return. To make matters worse, it suited him: the role of husband and father.
Was that why he had said nothing, because he only had a daughter? Anna knew there were countless men in society who did not even consider a daughter a child, just a burden. Her father had not been that sort of man, but her father had been so special and wonderful and unique in so many ways.
You kissed me, even though you had these two waiting for you? How could you?
A peculiar blend of anger and jealousy churned in her stomach as she watched the trio on the steps, Jeremy’s hand now holding the woman’s.
Apparently, he believed he could get away with being a dishonest wretch, making her feel so deeply, only to tear it all away with the harsh truth of his position.
Well, Anna would see about that.
Spurred by the rising tide of hurt and fury, and the realization that she would never again feel his kiss or learn what came after, she set the goat on the grass and stood up.
Wrapping the guide rope tighter around her hand, she started walking toward the happy family scene.
Sprightly walked at her side with a lively spring in his step, already bleating at the sight of his master.
Traitor…
The beautiful woman pulled away from Jeremy as Anna made her way up the steps.
“Good morning,” Anna said with forced brightness. “I apologize that I was not here to welcome you. I had no idea that we were to have visitors today.”
A frown creased the woman’s pale, smooth brow, her gaze dropping to the goat. “And who might ye be?”
Her tone was unfriendly, her reddish-brown eyes narrowing with wariness, hinting that Anna might not be the first woman to fall for Jeremy’s charms. It was the suspicion of a woman who knew that her husband could not be trusted.
“Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess of Stonebridge,” Anna replied, and put out her hand. “Although Anna will suffice, seeing as we are to reside here together.”
The woman’s gaze did not thaw at all, her hand extending to give Anna’s a stiff, quick shake. “Mrs. Bolt.”
She did not offer her given name, but Anna did not need it. If this was Mrs. Bolt, then Jeremy Bolt was assuredly her husband.
“A goat!” the little girl shrieked excitedly, as Sprightly matched her enthusiasm with a giddy bleat.
Meanwhile, Jeremy’s wife didn’t seem at all impressed.
“Ye didnae say aught about a dowager,” Mrs. Bolt remarked to Jeremy, her accent much thicker than his. “Ye didnae say there would be others here.”
Of course, he has not mentioned me. Why would he?
Jeremy opened his mouth to speak, but Anna got there ahead of him.
“We can discuss everything later, once you and your daughter have rested from your tiresome journey,” she said with that same agonizing cheer in her voice. “Mr. Miller!”
The butler appeared in the doorway, his expression matching the frostiness of Mrs. Bolt as he surveyed the new guests.
“Yes, Your Grace?” he said, his tone at least friendly toward her.
Anna cast him a meaningful look. “Please, might you escort our guests to the finest guest chambers? Speak to the other housekeeper and see if arrangements have already been made for them. If not, have something arranged quickly.” She paused to glance at Mrs. Bolt again.
“Will you have tea, Mrs. Bolt? Some refreshments for your daughter?”
By rights, Jeremy’s wife should have Anna’s rooms, but she wasn’t going to give up her bedchamber and dressing room without a fight. Certainly not before she had enjoyed at least one more night in those peaceful surroundings.
“Whatever is quickest,” Mrs. Bolt replied curtly.
“Cake, please,” the little girl said with a grin. “And… um… apple juice. Can I play with the goat, Mama?”
“Nay, ye cannae,” Mrs. Bolt said, her nose turned up at Sprightly’s presence. Especially as he strained forward, attempting to butt his head against her leg.
“Why, he likes you!” Anna said, gaining a cold look and some indistinct muttering for her efforts. Still, the child chuckled, so it was not a complete loss.
“Is he yers?” the girl asked.
Anna nodded. “He is my cherished ward. Perhaps, after you have rested, your mother might agree to let you play with him. He is very mild-mannered and only bumps his head against you if he favors you; there is not a malicious bone in his body.” She paused. “What is your name?”
“Sophie,” the girl replied, as her mother’s scowl deepened.
“Well, Sophie, it is a pleasure to meet you,” Anna said, regardless, as the child clambered over to Jeremy’s other side, to better see the goat.
If I had not met you, I might still be ensnared in a foolish daydream. But there was no going back from this. She would not be part of whatever amusement Jeremy thought he could have, without consequence, even if it meant denying herself the pleasure that he had all but promised last night.
Sophie stretched down her hand toward Sprightly, the goat hopelessly attempting to jump up and lick her fingers.
“Stop that,” Mrs. Bolt protested. “Ye daenae ken where that creature has been.”
It was then that Anna saw a burn on the little girl’s face, marring one rosy cheek and coated with some kind of salve.
Her gaze flicked to Jeremy’s hand, which was still partially wrapped in bandages…
and a faint pang of guilt struck her. Whatever had happened to their old home, the little girl had suffered.
She, at the very least, deserved Anna’s kindness.
“Might apple juice and cake be acquired?” she asked Mr. Miller.
The butler nodded. “Of course, Your Grace. I will have the cook press some apple juice now, and I know there are fresh scones ready. Some raspberry cakes, too.”
“Please and thank ye,” the little girl said, beaming from ear to ear, apparently unbothered by her still-healing scar.
Anna gave her a more genuine smile. “Enjoy as many as you please. The cook makes the best cakes and scones.”
“She’ll spoil her dinner,” Mrs. Bolt interjected sternly, reaching out to take the girl from Jeremy’s arms. “Just find us a room quickly and have a bath drawn if it’s nae too much trouble. I need to wash the journey off me and sleep awhile. I cannae keep me eyes open.”
Mr. Miller’s eyes narrowed at the somewhat rude tone, but one encouraging look from Anna, and he dipped his head in a bow. “Of course, Mrs. Bolt. If you would follow me, I will have you situated at once.”
Huffing out a breath as if that were not good enough, Mrs. Bolt set her child on her hip and entered the manor, following the butler.
“I must put Sprightly back in his new palace,” Anna said, finally turning her attention to Jeremy. “Once I am done, I think we ought to have a little talk. Meet me in my study in ten minutes.”
Jeremy arched an eyebrow. “I told ye, lass, I don’t like being ordered about.”
“Nevertheless, you will meet me there in ten minutes,” Anna replied, as she stooped to pick Sprightly up and strode off without giving either of the troublesome creatures the opportunity to protest.