Anna coughed and the girl came to an abrupt halt, gasping as if frightened.

“I’m sorry to bother you,” Anna said with a friendly smile, “but I’m afraid I’ve lost my way. Could you give me directions?”

The young lady’s startled expression did not abate. “Who…who are you?”

“Anna Thraxton.” She gave a perfunctory curtsy. “I’m the governess at Greyley House.”

The girl brightened. “Oh! Greyley House! I’m very pleased to meet you, Miss Thraxton. I’m Charlotte Melton. I—”

“You can’t be!” Anna burst out. “You are Greyley’s fiancée?”

Deep, rich color flooded Charlotte’s cheeks. On many women, a blush enhanced natural beauty, bringing a lovely color to normally pale skin. But on Charlotte’s ultra white countenance, the deep color made her appear overheated. “W-we have not yet announced the engagement,” she stammered, a panic-stricken look in her face.

“No, but everything is understood, isn’t it?”

“I-I suppose so.” The girl wrung her hands, appearing absolutely wretched.

Anna abandoned all thoughts that Charlotte Melton might be a hard-hearted adventuress. The poor thing looked ready to faint. “Do you mind if we sit in the shade awhile?” Anna smiled kindly. “I’m a bit tired.”

“Oh! Of course.” Charlotte led the way to a bench nestled among some trees and surrounded on one side by lovely red flowers. She perched uneasily on the edge of the bench and waited for Anna to seat herself. “Perhaps I should send someone to fetch something to drink.”

Anna lifted her hat, brushing her hair from her damp face. “No, thank you! I don’t wish to be any trouble. I just need a moment to rest.”

Charlotte glanced around. “Where is your groom?”

“Didn’t bring one.” Anna waved a hand. “I wasn’t about to wait for some footman on a slug. Not with weather like this.” She glanced up at the blue sky that peeped between the trees. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a lovelier day.”

“Except the heat. It made me feel ill. I’m supposed to be sitting quietly on the terrace, but I got tired of the quiet. Besides, I thought it might be cooler in the garden.”

“I daresay it is. Greyley House is somewhat frigid indoors, but then it is built like a tomb.”

Charlotte looked shocked. “Do you really think so?”

“Who wouldn’t? Have you ever seen the place?”

“Yes, I have.” Charlotte swallowed with a visible effort. “It is not very hospitable, is it?”

Anna laughed. “Go ahead and say it—it’s a dungeon! When I first saw it, I half expected a horde of angry prisoners to come swarming up out of the bowels of the place, intent on vengeance.”

Charlotte had to smile. “That’s exactly what I thought when I first saw it, but Mama said I was being fanciful. She told me not to say anything except that I thought it was lovely.”

“As ugly as the outside is, I have to admit that the earl’s done wonders with the inside. Have you seen the furnishings in his library?”