A faint smile touched his mouth. “Who knows? Maybe I will stay in town for a while. I sure as hell don’t want to ever come back here.”

Anna glanced around at the bleak house that rose beside them, at the expanse of green lawn, at the carefully trimmed trees. As forbidding as it was, it felt like home, and her chest ached to leave it. She cast a last glance up at the dark windows and climbed into the phaeton beside Rupert.

From an upstairs window, Lady Putney watched as her son drove off with the governess. Any other mother would have experienced heart palpitations at the thought of so unworthy a match, but Lady Putney was no ordinary mother. The sight of Anna sitting in a curricle beside her son, her bags strapped to the back, made her smile.

Lady Putney dropped the curtain back in place and climbed into her bed. She would sleep another two or three hours and then she’d rise and attend the children’s play. Smiling to herself, she drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, down the hall, someone else stood at their window and watched the phaeton bowl out of sight. Eyes narrowed, Sir Phineas puffed thoughtfully on his cigar, blowing the smoke out the opened window. He wasn’t about to give up his dreams of scampering grandchildren.

There had to be a way…He puffed harder on the cigarillo. After several moments, a slow grin touched his face, and it was with a noticeably light step that he went to dress. He needed to talk to the children. They would know what to do—he’d bet his last groat on it.

Chapter 26

From what our sister has told me, the only things Anthony and Miss Thraxton have in common are stubbornness, an intractable sense of what is right, and an astounding desire to conform everyone to their way of thinking. They are perfect for one another.

Chase St. John to his brother, Brand St. John, upon meeting each other on the road to London

Several hours later Sir Phineas opened the door to the library. “Are you coming to see the children’s play? They are ready to begin.”

Anthony was standing by the window, his face drawn and set. Sir Phineas noted the signs of strain with approval. It wouldn’t be fair for Anna to suffer alone. “Everyone is already assembled in the dining room.”

The earl’s frown deepened. “Everyone?”

“Lady Putney, Sir and Lady Melton, and Miss Charlotte Melton.”

“Who invited the Meltons?”

“I believe the children did. They wanted a proper audience.”

“That’s odd.” The earl’s brow lowered. “Where is Rupert?”

Sir Phineas shrugged. “I haven’t seen him since early this morning.”

“Lovely,” Anthony muttered. God, what a coil. He’d woken to an empty bed, still haunted with the feel of Anna. He’d almost risen and gone to her room, but the sounds of the household stirring to life had halted him.

What was it about her? Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her, tasted her, felt her heat surround him. He moved restlessly, turning back to the gray morning. Anna might think they had no future, but he knew otherwise. All he had to do was convince her of that.