She sighed again. “I would try to do what you say, except that I do not know what lies ahead for me at all.”
Rhys got to his feet. “You have time yet to decide. I’m quite sure Elisa would shoot anyone who dares suggest you leave this house until you are ready to go. She has become very protective of you.”
“You’re leaving?” Anna asked him, disappointment touching her.
“I must. I spent far too much time about my own affairs today and now I must return to the office and take care of the business for which I am paid.” He reached out a hand and lifted her hair so it lay over the back of it, the curls rippling like waves on the sea. “I like you hair, like this,” he said, his voice low.
She could feel the warmth of his hand by her cheek and despite her aches, she suddenly wished he would kiss her…and more.
But he straightened up and let her hair slide back off his hand. “Good night, Anna.”
“Will you come back to visit me again?” she asked.
“I will try.”
She gave him a small smile. “Very well.” She hid her disappointment. “Thank you, Rhys.”
He nodded and with a glance at the maid, he left.
Rhys did not return the next day or the one after that. By then, Anna had graduated from the bed to a comfortable chair by the fire in the parlor, where she sat dressed in a borrowed wrapper, while Elisa completed her correspondence and arranged household matters.
There were a number of visitors to Elisa’s house and at first, Anna thought Elisa must have announced a formal “at home” day, which meant that Anna’s convalescence on the chair would make it awkward for Elisa’s guests, but Elisa shook her head when Anna suggested returning to her bed.
“You are not in the way even a little bit,” Elisa said with some firmness in her voice. “I have many friends who like to call on me simply to say hello and exchange news with me. I do not insist on formal invitations and they appreciate being able to stop by when the impulse strikes them. It is a simple arrangement that suits everyone.”
It seemed to be quite true. The doorbell would ring and the butler would speak in his deep tones, then the new visitor would reply and Elisa would stand up from her desk, a smile on her face, as the butler showed the visitor into the room.
With every visitor, Elisa would introduce Anna, or re-introduce her in many cases, for most of the visitors were aristocracy and frequented the same balls and suppers and dinners and dances as Anna.
Nearly every guest would glance at her bruised and scratched face and react with hidden shock. It was always at that point that Elisa would say; “Princess Annalies is recuperating with us for a few weeks, until she is quite well and completely recovered from her ordeal.” But she would not say what the ordeal was. Once or twice, an inquisitive visitor asked bluntly for more details, but Elisa shifted the conversation with the skill of a master herdsman and the subject was never raised again, for which Anna was grateful.
Anna had become accustomed to the startling appearance of her damaged eye. The doctor who had called on her assured her that the eye and the tissue around it was merely bruised. Severely bruised, he had added, but the bruising would eventually fade and the redness of the eye itself would leave with it. But for now, the skin around her eye was swollen and a deep, dark red. It looked purple just under her eye. The bruise spread both above and below the eye.
The white parts of her eye were very red and around the iris, the red turned deeper, given her eye a demonic appearance.
Anyone looking at her like this would agree that there was an ordeal that led to such an appearance, but no one was ever told the truth.
“They don’t need the truth,” Elisa pointed out when Anna asked her about it. “They will fill in the unknown parts of the story with speculation and gossip. For once, the rumor factory will serve us instead of whipping us.” She smiled, for she had already told Anna of how she and Vaughn had met. “There have been whispers about your father almost from the moment he arrived in England. Those who like to speculate will remember that. Then they will put together the fact that you are recovering from something under my care and supervision instead of your family’s. Then they will arrive at a conclusion that they will tell their friends. Everyone will wonder, Anna, but there is no truth and no confirmed facts to officially embarrass your father. And because everyone will guess and think they know what the truth is, it makes your presence far more acceptable.”
“Why would people object to me staying here with you?” Anna asked, genuinely puzzled, for the ways of the English peerage still sometimes confused her. They were far more complicated than the simple division between the royal family and everyone else that she had grown up with.
Elisa smiled and it was full of mischief. “Because people will never forget that I am a wicked woman with an apparently sordid past, who has managed to redeem her reputation through marriage. A royal princess lodging with a scandalous woman would strike some of those speculators as very inappropriate indeed, but the rumors about your family will counter them.”
By the end of the first week, Anna’s bruising had begun to fade and her face was not nearly as hideous to look at, but by then, almost everyone that Elisa wanted to ensure saw Anna on her sofa had already visited. The rumors had spread swiftly enough that Elisa had not needed to send out invitations or carefully worded suggestions that they call. They came to see for themselves.
Two visitors that arrived at the end of the first week were Lord Innesford and his wife, Natasha.
Anna knew them only a little, but Elisa had explained the close friendship between all four of them and that Seth had been one of the people that had helped Rhys find Anna that night.
Seth was a well-dressed man with far-seeing eyes that were almost startling in their coloring and from the direct way he had of looking at people. He was plain spoken, which helped Anna relax far more quickly in his and Natasha’s company than she normally would.
“What do ye mean, no one has told you about that night?” he’d said, on their first visit. “Rhys hasn’t given you a description of every blow and parry yet?”
Natasha smiled. “I believe, if you’ve told me of the events truthfully, Seth, that Rhys wasn’t there to see every blow and parry.”
Seth rolled his eyes. “That’s right. He dodged out as soon as the fists flew.”
Natasha leaned toward Anna. “Rhys went to find you, is what Seth really means. Seth stayed behind, of course, because he can’t resist a scrap when it presents itself.”
Anna found herself smiling at the pair. They were so very natural and kind and interesting, too.
“Too true,” Seth said, sounding completely unashamed. “I’ve got the best of Irish and Australian in me and they’re both naturals with the fists. If there’s going to be a fight, I’m going to be in it and your father, well…” He shrugged. “He came out with his fists swinging. I just defended myself.”
Anna looked at Natasha, wondering how such a beautiful and elegant woman had met and married a man with such a mongrel past as Seth’s.
Then Seth’s expression darkened and he nodded at Anna. “If I’d known then what they’d done to you, it might not have ended so easy for your father.”
“And you would have ended up right back in jail,” Natasha replied firmly. “You’re worrying Anna, Seth. Tell her what happened and try not to gild the lily too much.”
He put his hand to his chest. “Me?” Then he settled back in his chair and related to her the events of the night Rhys had come for her, from the moment he had thumped on their door to when he had carried her into this house, calling for a bed, a doctor and a drink, in that order.
“I don’t remember anything of it at all,” Anna said. “Only a single moment, when Rhys picked me up.”
Natasha patted her hand. “You’re in very good hands here and quite safe.”
Feeling safe and comforted became a theme in the days that followed. Knowing that no one would suddenly turn to violent ange
r and catch her unprepared meant she could relax in a way she never had before.
Vaughn had an extensive library and Anna discovered that Elisa was as widely read as she, including some of the more salacious books that rarely were displayed openly as they were on Vaughn’s shelves. “Knowledge is priceless,” Elisa said simply. “Knowing about something doesn’t mean I agree with it. There is far too much censorship for our own good, these days. Women are not as easily shocked as men would prefer to think they are.”
The only frustration in those few weeks was Rhys’ absence. He called by once each week, for a few short moments only. Anna found it difficult to guess what he was thinking. His attention seemed to be elsewhere. He insisted that Elisa or Vaughn or at least one of the staff stay in the room with them at all times. His distraction as she tried to speak to him was baffling.
Finally, on the fourth week, Anna had reached the limits of her patience. Only the maid, Jilly, stood quietly by the door. Otherwise, they were alone.
Anna had dressed with particular care. Her wardrobe was still mostly borrowed wrappers and stoles, but she had acquired two day dresses that Natasha had declared were too small for her mature curves, with undergarments to match. For the first time today she had asked Jilly, who had become her lady’s maid, to do her hair in one of the current and fashionable styles. Her hair was naturally wavy, so the most suitable style left her side hair hanging in curls and her back hair wound into a complicated soft knot at the back of her head.
Elisa had smiled when she saw her. “Why, that blue is most becoming on you with your eyes. I have a sapphire necklace that will match your eyes that I will lend you.”
But Rhys had not seemed to notice either the dress or the necklace. Nor did he remark upon her hair. He barely seemed to see her at all.
Finally, when he was silent for longer than she could withstand, she clenched her hand beneath her dress and spoke. “Am I really so repulsive to you?”
His chin jerked around and he stared at her, his eyes wide. “I beg your pardon?”
“I am quite sure you heard me. Which means you do not want to answer the question. I will presume, then, that you would answer in the affirmative, if you answered at all.”
“You do not understand,” he began, his voice low. “It is not a matter of repulsion.”
“I can think of no other reason why, in four whole weeks, you have only visited me four times and you have failed to kiss me on any of those visits.”
He glanced around the room, looking for Jilly.
“Jilly has my complete trust,” Anna said smoothly.
“She does not have mine,” Rhys replied. He glanced at Jilly. “My apologies, Jilly, but I simply do not know you well enough, that is all. It is not a reflection upon your character, which I am sure is beyond reproach, or Anna would not have given you her trust.”
“Thank you, Mr. Davies,” Jilly said. Her gaze slid toward Anna.
Anna considered, then nodded. Jilly bobbed toward her and left the room, shutting the door softly behind her.
“There. Now no one can witness you tell me you no longer have any feelings toward me at all. That it was a passing fancy and has long gone.”
Rhys pushed his hand through his hair, ruffling the long locks. “For heaven’s sake, Anna.” His voice was low.
She got to her feet. “You will not speak to me. You can barely meet my gaze. I would spend more pleasurable time with a chimney sweep!”
Rhys growled and suddenly he was on his feet and right there in front of her. She gasped in surprise, even as he pulled her up against him, his arms holding her there with iron strength. “Damn you, Anna,” he muttered and kissed her.
It was a fiery, breath robbing kiss that she found herself returning with just as much ardor. Her thoughts scattered and she sighed into his mouth as the tingling, throbbing pleasure she remembered from the other times he had kissed her seemed to leap in her veins. It robbed her of breath.
She clung to him as his mouth left hers and trailed down her throat to the low neckline of her dress. Unfortunately, she was laced and buttoned into her clothing and his lips would not be able to move any farther than there. The touch of his lips, though, was enough to make her heart beat more quickly and her limbs to grow heavy.
Anna could feel herself surrendering to whatever Rhys wanted to do to her, even here and now in this very public drawing room, in full view of the windows and the passing traffic. She had surrendered once before. This time it was easier and even more heady. She wanted him to take her.
But Rhys abruptly let her go and strode two paces away from her. He cleared his throat, his face turned away from her.
“Then we are still sexually compatible,” she said. “I’m glad my appearance has not destroyed that.”
“Appearance has nothing to do with it, except to make it harder for me to keep my hands off you.” Rhys glanced at her over his shoulder. There was a wild mix of emotions in his face. “We cannot continue down this path, Anna.”
“Why not?”
“Because I would be the ruin of you.”
She linked her hands together. “You saved me. Nothing you do now will ever take that away. Whatever life I might have looked forward to in my father’s house was bleak, but now that has gone.”
He turned to face her properly, with such speed it seemed like he had been startled into it.
“What did I say?” she asked, concerned by his expression.
He held up his hand, as if to silence her. “Good evening, Anna,” he said, his voice distant, as if his thoughts were far away. He brushed past her, a frown marring his forehead.
“Rhys?” she asked softly.
He surprised her by turning and kissing her, his lips warm and firm against hers, but it was an absent, almost distracted expression. “I will return,” he said and left.
She hurried after him and watched Paulson, the butler, hold up his coat for him to shrug into, then hand him his hat. Rhys stepped out into the street and strode away and the butler shut the door behind him, cutting out the busy sounds of carriages and horse clops.
Jilly moved over to her side. “Mr. Davies ‘as left already, miss?”
“Yes, he has left,” Anna said slowly. “But he says he will be back.”
“Tonight, miss?’
“I don’t know.”
“That’s a bit odd, isn’t it?” Jill asked. “To say you’re coming back, but not say when?”
“Yes, it was very odd indeed.”
Chapter Nine
Rhys returned the next day and he brought company with him. Anna watched Seth and Natasha step out of the carriage and then Vaughn, too. Elisa had seen Vaughn off to the city just after breakfast, only two hours ago.
Elisa moved up beside Anna at the window. “I believe a small conspiracy is about to be revealed,” she murmured and glanced at Anna. “I’ll call for tea.”
They met in the morning room, which Anna liked because it was sunny and cheerful. While Elisa poured the tea, everyone settled into their seats except for Rhys, who prowled the carpet, back and forth like the lions in their cage that Anna had seen at the London Zoo.
Elisa sat back with her cup and saucer and looked at Rhys. “You are the reason we all sit here, Rhys. Perhaps you should speak of whatever it is that is causing you to wear a track in my carpet?”
Rhys halted. “I apologize.” With a deep breath, he sat on the edge of the sofa, on the far end from where Anna sat and looked at her. “Anna, have you considered what you might do after the doctor has pronounced you well?”
Anna pressed her lips together, holding in her first startled reaction. “Actually, Doctor Leith discharged me from his care two days ago and yes, I have been wondering what I should do next.”
Rhys waved a hand toward the other four people in the room. “I asked everyone to be here so that you could ask for their advice if you wish.”
“Has something happened?” Anna asked. “You are behaving quite strangely.”
Rhys stood, straightening up with a snap that made it look like he was propelled to his feet by his emotions. “Your father is demanding to see you.”
“Oh.” She tried to breathe past the panicky flutter that clogged her chest and made her stomach churn. “Must I meet him?”
“As you are his unmarried daughter, yes, you must,” Rhys replied.
“Could you not have put that a little more gently?” Vaughn murmured.
Anna shook her head. “No, I prefer plain facts,” she said quickly. She looked at Rhys. He had pushed his hands into his pockets and tension thrummed from every stiff angle. “You said because I was unmarried, I must see him. What if I were married?”
Elisa put her teacup down gently. “Rhys, are you proposing that…?”
“I believe the laddie is proposing, nothing less,” Seth said and chuckled.
“Rhys! You pulled us all into the room while you do? Do you not have a romantic bone in your body?” Natasha asked.
“This isn’t about romance. Is it, Rhys?” Vaughn said.
Rhys shook his head. “I have consulted with judges and with law partners, attorneys and barristers and a dozen lords who are considered experts in the English peerage system. If you were married, Anna, you would automatically be afforded the full protection of your husband’s rank and position. Once the marriage was consummated, your father could neither dispute the fact, nor demand your return as he is now.”
Anna brought her hand to her throat as it tried to close up. “He…wants me back?” It emerged as a soft whisper. Fright tore through her.
Rhys sat next to her and picked up her hand. “I won’t let that happened,” he said quickly. His fingers gripped hers tightly.
“You would marry me,” she asked slowly, “simply to keep my father away?”
“But Rhys,” Elisa said, her voice very gentle. “You do not have a rank. Not that I care about such things and I suspect Anna does not either, but if you are proposing marriage in order to protect her, wouldn’t a duke provide much better protection?”
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