by Unknown
“Is there anything else you can tell me?”
“I don’t really know what else to say. I wish I could tell you for certain but to my mind, they were never particularly attached to him.” She pressed her fingers to her lips. “I was deeply saddened to have my position ended there, but they felt the need for a replacement now Alfred is older.” Miss Willis tapped the cup, a crinkle appearing between her brows. “You know, I suspected there was something strange to their bond so when I got your letter, it sealed my suspicions.”
“I see.” Anna glanced at the mantle clock. She had not been there long, but there was little point in remaining if the nanny could tell her nothing else. If she hurried, she could meet with the investigator and discuss their next step. “I had better leave you in peace. Thank you for your time.”
Anna stood and Miss Willis followed suit. She escorted her to the door. “I do hope you find your son and, Miss Dubois, if Alfred is your son, I would make every effort to get him back. Those people do not deserve a sweet child like that.”
Chapter Five
Harris waited at the bottom of the steps to the house, lounging against the pillar at the side. He straightened as soon as he heard the door shut and scowled. Anna hardly looked at him. Her face had an ashen cast to it.
“Anna?”
She waved a dismissive hand at him, her gaze refusing to connect with his. He thought he spotted tears, but she turned her head away too quickly. What the devil had happened in there?
When she reached the bottom of the steps, she brushed past him and carried on down the path. Harris blinked and hurried to catch up.
“Anna?” he tried again.
“I just need to walk.”
Torn between making her stop and tell him what was wrong or letting her continue, he opted for remaining at her side. She appeared to be in shock. For once, he decided not to push her. That might work to break down her walls normally but he’d never seen her like this.
He swung a glance sideways. Age seemed to haunt her face suddenly—and she was hardly a haggard creature. But her usually soft skin appeared lined and grey, as though some very great weight pulled down upon her. For the life of him, he didn’t know what to do—a rare occurrence indeed. He shouldn’t be surprised really. Anna had had him tied up in knots since the first time he had set eyes on her.
They walked in silence, passing several side streets until they were not far from Victoria Park. The chill from the morning had begun to ease and the traffic decided to do the same, now that most people were at work and the early morning market buyers had conducted their business. He was grateful for as much when Anna crossed the wide road abruptly, causing him to have to dart across after her.
Anna paused outside the wrought-iron gates of the park. A few nannies with children were gathered on the grass. It was a little early for anyone else who would seek to enjoy a little leisure time. Lord knows, Harris was rarely up at this time. Though a few cyclists weaved their way past the lake and some elderly couples occupied benches while they looked out over the expanse of water. Anna appeared unsure as to what to do next.
“Are we to go in?” he asked.
Her gaze finally snapped to his. Some clarity came back to her eyes. Then she peered back through the railings at the children on the grass. The sadness tugging at her mouth made his heart tighten. If she cried, he did not know what he would do.
Normally, if a woman cried, he’d attempt to cheer her up with flattering words. A comment on her beauty and how it could not be spoiled by a few tears perhaps. Something about how much of a shame it would be to ruin such an exquisite gown with wet tears. Usually that elicited a weak smile and a few more charming words would snap the woman in question out of it.
But not so with Anna. There was no chance she would be swayed by a few simple words of flattery. The woman was frankly far too intelligent.
Carefully, as though approaching a stallion that might bolt at any moment, he opened up his hand and rested it lightly upon her shoulder. “Anna, I’d like to help,” he said softly.
There. A weak smile. No words of flattery needed, as he had rightly assumed. He didn’t dare do much more lest she actually run off like a horse.
“I just received some bad news, that is all. Forgive me.” Her words were slightly hollow.
He had to assume this friend had some illness perhaps, or had brought news of a death of someone. What else could cause such a reaction?
“What can I do to help?”
She lifted a slender shoulder. It struck him then how fragile she could be. Anna Dubois always appeared commanding with her chin thrust out and her shoulders held back. When he’d first met her, she’d been in command of an establishment filled with men yet there was no doubting she was utterly in control. Her height added to the impact of her presence. No one could doubt that Anna was a powerful woman and quite the foe if she chose to be.
Now, however, he had the strong urge to pull her against him and protect her from whatever pain she was suffering. This was not a new notion. He was excellent at jumping into action and solving problems. Or at least attempting to. That was what had got him shot in the first place—assisting his brother with his plans to protect Lila. The truth of it was, he’d have followed his brother anywhere, and he’d likely do the same for Anna.
Sad, dark eyes connected with his. “There is little to be done.”
Instead of dragging her to him as he wanted to do, he took his palm away from her shoulder and casually took her hand. She did not resist him. He looped her arm through his and rested her palm against his forearm.
“Let us get a little exercise and fresh air,” he declared.
Anna did not resist. Perhaps she had no will to or maybe no strength. It startled him just how frightening he found the idea of Anna being weak. Not because of any preconceived notions of her but because of how terribly he wanted to protect her and solve her problems. And the awareness that she would never let him did not help.
Blasted women. As near as he could tell, the Cynfell men had a thing for independent, stubborn women. All of his brothers’ wives were the same—so determined to do everything alone. The difference between his brothers’ wives and Anna is that none of them had built up a business specialising in sin and pleasure.
They did a loop of the park in silence, but Harris sensed the tension easing from her. Even he couldn’t help feel revived by the fresh air and the gentle exercise. Birds flittered between the elegant oak trees that lined the path and to the right of them ducks splashed in the water. The trill of a bicycle bell cut through the laughter of children so they stepped aside to let the rider past.
“I haven’t walked this much in quite some time,” he commented.
Anna’s eyes widened. “I am sorry. Shall we find somewhere to sit down?”
He shook his head. “It was not a complaint. My leg is perfectly fine. I will confess, however, the forced inactivity was driving me quite mad. I’m looking forward to being fully healed and able to exercise to my heart’s desire.”
They began their walk once more, Anna still resting her hand lightly on his arm. Harris imagined that to anyone else they would appear like a married couple, taking an early morning stroll. Little did they know that he was a Cynfell brother—a group of men who were notorious for their scandalous ways—and that Anna ran one of the most sinful places in existence. To everyone else, they were wholly respectable.
Not that respect had ever interested him particularly. His older brothers—with the exception of Julian who had all the pressure of the title to deal with—had always lived on their own terms. While they might have settled down and become staid old boring fellows now, they’d certainly had a fine time as far as he was concerned. It was too easy to worry about what others thought, and a big waste of effort to his mind. Still, he rather enjoyed playing this role, even if for a short time.
“What would you normally do for exercise?” Anna asked.
“Riding mostly. I helped break in a few
of the horses on the Lockwood estate.” He smiled. “You can’t beat riding across the Warwickshire countryside.”
“I never pictured you enjoying the countryside.”
“I am a townie at heart that is true, but I do enjoy visiting Lockwood—our family home. Of course Julian is busy creating a whole new generation of Cynfells which always makes things fun.”
“How many children does Julian have now?”
“Three. One girl and two boys. The latest was born only a month ago.” He chuckled. “I don’t imagine they shall stop there. They seem determined to repopulate England with their children.”
There was a slight slump to Anna’s shoulders. It occurred to Harris, far too belatedly, that Anna would likely never marry or have children of her own. He couldn’t say either appealed to him, but women were different. There were likely many men who did not have rank or reputation to consider that would happily marry Anna...and he did not like that thought. However, Anna was such an enigma that he doubted anyone could get close enough to her to even propose such a thing. Selfishly, he was grateful for that.
“My brother Pierce boxes,” he piped up in an attempt to clear the discomfort now floating about between them like the thick yellow fog that sometimes came off the Thames. “He did it professionally for a while.”
“Oh yes, I met him shortly before he started doing it. I heard he was quite the fighter, why did he stop?”
“A woman, of course.”
She nodded with a wry smile. “Of course. The countess. I do not blame him particularly, she’s a fascinating woman. She came to Stourbridge once, though I have not seen her since. I suppose that is what marriage does to one. One gives up doing the things one enjoys.”
Harris lifted both brows. He’d expect such talk from many a man...hell, he’d even said as much himself. His parents had suffered the most miserable marriage and that had likely impacted all of them, but somehow his brothers had been foolish enough to be coaxed into the married state. He hoped it all worked out for them—and it certainly seemed to be—but he did not wish for such a thing himself.
“You sound like a rakish bachelor, Anna.”
“I am no female rake, but I thoroughly intend to be a spinster. I see little benefit in ever marrying. It is well enough for a man, he has to give up little.”
“Apart from drinking and fighting and whatever other interests he has.”
Anna lifted a finger. “Those can hardly compare to the sacrifices women make. When they marry, they lose all rights. Far better to be a woman of power alone, I think.”
“Well, you are a rarity. There are not many other women who hold such power.”
“I was extremely lucky, that I will admit. I came into an inheritance because I was doted upon by an uncle. It meant I could invest it. But I do hope to help other women who don’t have such freedom.”
They paused at the lakeside. Small ripples travelled across the surface, driven by the splashing ducks. A few row boats were being sent out from the jetty nearby as gentlemen attempted to court ladies in the relative privacy of their vessels.
“I must ask, how is it you decided to create a place like Stourbridge? It is hardly the first choice for a respectable woman.”
“You forget that I lost my respectability long ago. But actually it was accidental.” She smiled when one of the rowers nearly tipped himself and his lady friend into the water. “That man needs a lesson on rowing.”
“He does indeed.” He took Anna’s hand. “Come, let us give him one.”
“Harris!”
He ignored her exclamation. What better way to cheer her up than a quick row on the lake, and as fine a time as ever to dig deeper into what made Anna, well, Anna. Just as those men were using it to charm the women they were with, he would use the opportunity to break further past that facade.
He paid for the hire of the rowboat and dragged Anna down the little wooden jetty. She eyed the rickety boat warily.
“Harris...”
“Come now, you’re not afraid of water are you, Anna?”
“Certainly not.”
Harris stepped into the boat and the vessel wobbled precariously. He took a moment to gain his balance, aware of Anna staring at him as if he was a madman. Perhaps he was. And it was entirely his fault. All he could think of was how to cure her of her melancholy and dig just that little bit deeper.
Offering his hand, he waited.
She gave a sigh and took it. A little feminine squeak issued from her when she stepped into the boat.
He pressed his lips together. It was hardly the sort of sound he expected from Anna but he could not help but like it. What sort of other sounds could she make? Breathy ones? Cries of pleasure? His body tightened at the idea of all the things he could do to discover as much.
They settled onto the benches, and she rearranged her skirts while he placed the oars in the oarlocks.
“I hope this will not strain your leg,” Anna muttered.
“Nonsense. I’m perfectly fit.”
Truth be told, he had not thought about his leg since meeting Anna that morning. If there were any pangs of pain in it, he had not noticed. The doctor would likely scold him for being so active, but there was nothing more that could be done for his leg. It was simply a matter of time as everyone liked to remind him. As far as he was concerned, a little exercise might help the damn thing get back to normal.
He rowed until they were close to the middle of the lake. From there, they could see the park around them. The buildings of London acted like a wall, enclosing the beautiful spot of green. Vehicles passed by and smoke belched from chimneys, yet here they were in the little utopia in the middle of the city.
And sitting opposite him was an incredibly beautiful woman. The only thing that would make it better was if she was in his arms.
All in good time, he promised himself. The more time he spent with her, the more likely it was she’d acknowledge her need for him. But for now, this was about other things.
“You were saying starting Stourbridge as a gambling den was an accident.”
Anna drew her gaze from the scenery back to him. “Yes.” She used a finger to trace the embroidery around the sleeve of her jacket. “I had intended to purchase a house and perhaps run it as a hotel. These large houses are selling so cheaply these days because no one can afford to keep them. Stourbridge came onto the market at an excellent price so I went to visit it. On my way there, I stayed at a travelling inn.”
“You did this all alone?”
“Yes.” She smiled. “I was twenty when my inheritance arrived. Hard to imagine, is it not?”
“You were very young.”
“I had been forced to grow up quickly. But I’ll admit, I was not as business-minded as I am now. Part of buying a large house was purely for my own pleasure. My parents’ home was hardly small, but I always adored these great estates we visited when I was younger. And, of course, I certainly saw it as a snub to society. A little bit of petty revenge on my behalf, I suppose.”
“You could buy a great house from someone who would very likely give you the cut.”
“Yes,” she confirmed. “Not the best way to make a business decision, I shall admit that much.” She pushed a curl from her eye and continued. “At the travelling inn, I met several working women, one of whom had been beaten badly. I had never really experienced that side of life before, and it shocked me. She told me she was better off working in such a trade than in one of the big houses or at a factory—she could earn much more and it was worth the risk. I knew I needed to protect women like that.”
“So you started Stourbridge?”
“Not quite. I had still thought of turning it into a hotel and hiring women like that, but my business advisor said firstly, no one would visit a hotel full of whores except gentleman of ill repute and secondly, such men needed enticement to come to the country. Why visit a brothel in the country when there were many fine ones in the town?”
Harris shook his head in d
isbelief. It was hard to imagine a young woman considering such a venture, but then what he knew of Anna, it shouldn’t have surprised him. She was determined and fierce in business. Had she become a society wife, it would have been a great shame.
She leaned back and trailed a hand in the water. Harris rowed lazily in a circle for a few moments and waited. Patience, he was discovering, was the key with Anna.
“I thought of the men of society and the pleasures they sought.” She lifted a brow. “I also thought of how best to get my revenge on those who had cast me out. I’ll admit to being very bitter.”
He could not help wonder if she was still not bitter at those who had cut her from society. Had she become impoverished as was likely to happen, she would not have been able to enter society in the manner she did at present.
“And you are not bitter now?”
A smile teased her lips. “Sometimes. But most of the time I am grateful. I’m free from societies expectations, Harris. I am an independent woman.”
“But out of your bitterness, Stourbridge was born.”
“Yes. It seemed perfect. Have the rich society men indebted to me and offer women in need a safe place to ply their trade. It is not exactly how I pictured my life, but I cannot regret my decision.”
“And nor should you. You have achieved so much for a woman so young.”
Anna laughed. “I am practically spinster age, Harris.”
“Yes, but you are the most beautiful spinster I have ever known.”
She rolled her eyes, but a smile lingered on her lips.
There. He had not only learned more about her but succeeded in cheering her up. The squeal of a child rang out nearby, and she whipped her head around to view the little boy splashing about on the edge of the lake. His nanny scooped him up, much to his frustration. Harris chuckled as the infant struggled in his caretakers arms.