Warm in the circle of his arms, Anna toyed with his shirt buttons. “Really?”

“Really.” He grinned. “Besides, Charlotte wasn’t tall enough for me. I can’t even hug her without straining my neck.”

“Hm. I can see where that might have been a problem.”

Anthony nodded. “And her hair was far too blond. I prefer red hair myself.”

“You do?”

Anthony’s eyes glinted with something that made Anna’s heart pound.

She pursed her lips. “How do you feel about…proud noses?”

He smiled, lifting a finger to touch the tip of hers. “They add character. Small, pert noses are a decided irritant.”

Anna sighed her satisfaction and permitted Anthony to draw her head to his shoulder. For a moment they stood thus, heart to heart, their bodies absorbing the warmth of each other.

Anthony didn’t think he’d ever felt so completely whole. So alive. Or so in love. Life with Anna would be busy and troublesome and never quiet, and he was certain they’d argue at least ten times a week. But afterward…He smiled, thinking of all the ways they would make up for their disagreements.

She stirred against him. “There are a few things we need to discuss.”

“Oh?” He asked, placing a gentle kiss beside the bruise that marred her forehead, the memory of his fears when he’d seen the broken phaeton beside the road returning.

“Anthony, I want to keep the children.”

She did, did she? “Even Desford?”

“Especially Desford.” She hesitated. “And I would like for you to build that house you promised me…only for Desford. He needs a house of his own.”

Rupert looked up from where he had been talking quietly to Charlotte. “Desford can afford his own house.”

Anthony frowned. “How?”

“Apparently my brother made some better investments than we’d realized. Desford owns a ruby mine.”

“That’s why your mother wanted the children,” Anthony said.

Rupert nodded.

“That’s the end of Lady Putney staying at Greyley House.” He eyed Rupert for a moment. “I don’t suppose you’d consider taking her off my hands.”

“No,” Rupert said. “Never.” He reached over and gathered his coat, pulling it carefully over his bruised hands, Charlotte helping him. “If you don’t mind, Greyley, Charlotte and I will be off. I need to speak with her parents before my mother causes any more problems.”

Anthony grinned. “Very well, whelp. And while you’re out, see to it that you put something on that eye of yours. You look like hell.”

Rupert chuckled. “So do you. Take care, Greyley.” With Charlotte tucked beneath his arm, Rupert left.

Anna watched them go with a sigh. “I do hope Lord Melton won’t cause too much of a problem. Rupert is a dear boy, but life hasn’t left him with much.”

“If it will make you happy, I will see to it that Rupert is comfortably fixed.”

“Do you have enough money to do that?”

“Oh, I think I can find it somewhere.” He lifted an arrogant brow. “I’m a wealthy man, Anna.”

“How useful!” Anna pursed her lips. “Perhaps we can assist Lady Putney, too. As much as I dislike her, I hate to see someone displaced. I wonder if we can’t just let her stay at Greyley until—”