Chapter 16

CHAPTER16

“Anne, this has to stop.”

Daniel sat at the head of the table for breakfast, staring at his sister.

Since Anne had interrupted the two of them that morning, Rachel had scrambled back to her room to change, giving him one last seductive look that had nearly made him run after her and forget his sister. Now, they were downstairs, with Rachel sitting on one side of him and Anne sitting on the other.

“I wish to spend the day together,” Anne declared out of nowhere. “With just the two of us. Why must I go to hertea party?”

“Anne.” Daniel raised a hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. “You are not a child anymore. So, why are you sounding like one?”

Anne was outraged. Her cheeks reddened, and her jaw slackened.

“Do not belittle me.” She waved a hand at him dismissively. “Just because she is your wife does not mean I have to like her.”

“I am here, you know, Anne,” Rachel remarked with something of a small smile as she looked over the rim of her teacup. Daniel cleared his throat to stop himself from laughing at Rachel’s words.

“Lady Anne,” Anne corrected her. “Please use my title.”

Rachel looked in danger of dropping her teacup. “You can call me Rachel,” she offered.

“I do not wish to.”

“For God’s sake, Anne.” Daniel sat forward; his tone now so harsh that Anne flinched in her chair. “You must acknowledge this is quite mad behavior on your part. You would be so petty as to refuse to address Rachel by her Christian name? Do not be foolish just because you are blinded.”

“I am not blind. My eyes are open, much more than yours as to what she is truly like.” Anne nodded toward Rachel.

Daniel looked at his wife but couldn’t help smiling at her.

I know very well what she is like.

He thought of how she’d woken him from his nightmares the night before, then how he’d pleasured her this morning, their bodies writhing together in pleasure.

“She is my wife,” he said with finality and looked at his sister. “I’ll have no more of this, Anne.”

“She’s your wife in name. Nothing more. That’s what rushed marriages of convenience are,” Anne said, tipping her teacup back to her lips.

Daniel looked at Rachel knowingly, seeing the same playful smirk on her lips that was on his own. They both knew this wasn’t a marriage of convenience anymore. What had passed between them that morning had been scintillating excitement, lust that should exist between a husband and a wife.

This is something more…

The door opened before Daniel could reprimand his sister any further, and Dorothea entered.

“Goodness, what a beautiful morning,” Dorothea gushed and waved a hand at the window through which the strong sunlight could be seen. “Oh.” She halted by the chair beside Anne. “What has happened in this room? Everyone seems so tense.”

“We’re discussing his wife, again.” Anne waved a hand scornfully in Rachel’s direction.

Rachel flinched this time.

Daniel sat forward, feeling his heart thud harder at the thought that he couldn’t protect Rachel even from his own sister.

“Anne.” His voice was so sharp that both Anne and Dorothea looked sharply at him. “You will start treating my wife with respect, or you and I will have a serious argument. Is that understood?” Something in the harshness of his tone must have scared his sister, for she nodded sharply and lifted her teacup again. “Good. Then you will go to the tea party this afternoon.”

“Well, now that’s settled.” Dorothea sat in the chair beside Anne. “We should talk of other events you are to hold this season as well.”

“Other events?” Daniel asked distractedly, having to tear his eyes away from Anne’s sullen expression.

“It is tradition for a duke to hold a ball for his duchess, to introduce her to the ton as his wife.” Dorothea gestured between the couple as she poured herself a coffee from the pot. “You should do the same, Daniel. Tradition must be upheld.”

Daniel pulled at his collar, uncertain what to think for a minute. He usually liked to avoid such balls in his own house. There was something about the closeted space with so many people that could bring back memories. The number of times he’d heard a bottle of champagne popping and mistaken it for gunfire was ridiculous.

“Daniel?” Rachel whispered to him. “If you do not want to, we do not have to.”

Her words made him look at her, and he saw the concerned expression on her face. She’d plainly seen what he’d attempted to hide, his nervousness. He pulled at his collar again and then nodded.

“No, we should.” He wanted Rachel to feel welcomed into this house, and Anne was certainly not doing a good job of it. “A ball sounds like a good idea.”

“Ah, that is wonderful news!” Dorothea clapped her hands together. “Now, Rachel, you and I should discuss the particulars.”

“This is ridiculous.” Anne stood and knocked back her chair so far that it wobbled on its back legs, in danger of falling over.

“Anne?” Daniel called to her.

“A ball to celebrate what? A rushed and unwelcome marriage?”

“Who said it was unwelcome?” Daniel’s challenge made Anne look between him and Rachel. Her eyes grew wet, a look of pure sadness appearing for a few seconds, then she turned on her heel and ran from the room.

“She is young,” Dorothea explained as she shrugged her shoulders. “She’ll take time to come around. That’s all. Worry not, dear.” She leaned forward and patted Rachel’s hand on the table.

Rachel smiled sadly, but it was clearly not a full smile.

“I’ll talk to her,” Daniel said as he stood, ready to follow after his sister.

“Do not make her do anything she does not want to, not for my sake,” Rachel pleaded, making him hesitate. “I’m sorry I have caused so much upset between you.”

“Don’t be,” he assured her. “This is not your doing.”

He would have happily reminded her of the way her gown had got caught by that branch, but Dorothea was off again, already eagerly discussing the arrangements for their ball and when it was to be. Daniel used the distraction to leave the room.

It was not difficult to find Anne, for she hid in her studio and was mixing some paints, rather angrily, when he found her. Upon his entrance, she hurried to close a sketchbook, nearly knocking it to the floor in her haste.

“Hiding your pictures from me?” he asked, closing the door behind him.

“No.” She continued to mix paints, refusing to meet his gaze. “I know you want me to be respectful but asking that and then suggesting I come to a ball and make merry about your union are two very different things. How can I do that when I do not like her?”

“Hmm. A difficult thing. Especially if my wife was a monster or some devil, but she’s neither, Anne.”

Daniel walked forward and took the paints out of his sister’s hand, pushing them to the side. Anne fiddled with her hands instead, trying to avoid looking him in the eye. Daniel took her shoulders and urged her to look at him.

“Rachel is a good woman. You just do not wish to see it at this moment.”

“She conned you—”

“Forget that night. You were not there, Anne, I was. You may think me a fool, but I’m not so great an idiot as to not know what really happened.” He shook his head. “She’s a better woman than you think. She even urged me just now not to make you do anything you did not want to do.”

“She said that?” Anne’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“Indeed. She has kindness in her. If the two of you met another way, I think it is possible you might have liked her. She’s well-read, has a fine and clever mind, and is a spirited horse rider too. I can imagine she’d give you a run for your money in a race.”

“That is hard to find.” Anne managed the smallest of smiles, but it didn’t last long.

“I know at the moment you cannot see these things, but I beg you to believe me when I say that Rachel is worthy of your kindness.” Daniel softened his voice. “Maybe I cannot persuade you of it now, but maybe there is one thing I can urge you to do. Go to the tea party this afternoon. If not for Rachel, then go for me. Please?”

Anne hesitated. The pause before she answered made his gut tighten, but she eventually nodded.

“I’ll do it for you.”

* * *

“Anne?”

Rachel hesitated as Anne stepped into the grand sitting room that they had chosen for the tea party.

Dorothea nudged her side. “I shall see to your guests for a minute,” she offered and walked off, waving at the ladies who had already arrived. “Come, ladies, tea will be served shortly.”

Rachel gulped as she stepped closer to Anne. Her sister-in-law was plainly uncomfortable, fidgeting repeatedly with her gown and shifting her skirt. She didn’t meet Rachel’s gaze but chewed on her bottom lip repeatedly.

I know this look.

So often, Rachel had seen it on Bridget’s face when she had been younger and was forced to go to events that had increased her anxiety.

She is so nervous.

“Thank you for coming,” Rachel said hurriedly and stepped toward Anne, smiling so much in her relief that she could not stop it.

“You are eager,” Anne remarked.

“Well, I never was very good at hiding my emotions. You should ask my sisters. They always call me a poor actor and an excellent open book.” Rachel laughed, wishing Anne would laugh with her.

The young woman didn’t manage it but raised her chin a little higher. “Are your sisters here?”

“They are. Come, let me introduce you.” Rachel beckoned her to follow. Anne didn’t move at first but soon stepped forward, her fine tea gown swishing as she moved. “It’s a beautiful gown, by the way. Very fine.”

“Thank you.” Anne managed the smallest of smiles as she continued to play with the skirt.

Rachel led her to the other side of the room where Bridget and Emily were standing behind their chairs, whispering together. Bridget was admiring the room, her head turning back and forth as she took everything in. Emily was looking at the guests more than anything else, whispering the names of the ladies who had decided to come.

“Anne, may I introduce my sisters,” Rachel declared, urging Bridget and Emily to turn toward her. “This is Bridget, and this is Emily.”

“How do you do.” Bridget curtsied, then elbowed Emily, reminding her to do the same. “Forgive her. She’s busying herself with staring in awe at all your guests.”

“It’s an amazing sight.” Emily whistled shortly with incredulity. “Have you seen all these fine ladies?”

“I have.” Rachel nodded. “It has more to do with Lady Follet’s connections than my own. She’s been quite excellent in helping me arrange this tea. Anne, do you know many of the ladies here?” She was trying her best to encourage Anne to take part in the conversation.

“Some.” Anne wrinkled her nose, still fidgeting with her skirt. “Though you should avoid Lady Whistlethwaite as much as possible.” She pointed at the other end of the table. “See how she wrinkles her nose? She is already comparing your cake to every other she has ever had and will surely take the opportunity to disparage it openly.”

“She’s had enough cakes in her life in my opinion,” Emily drawled. “If she does not like it, she does not have to eat it.”

“Emily!” Rachel whispered harshly, but the others laughed.

“Did I do something wrong?” Emily asked innocently, looking away from the rather plump lady who was prodding at the cake on the table with plain disgust.

“You know what you said.” Rachel tapped her sister on the arm but soon stopped when she realized another was laughing at her side. Anne was trying to hide her laugh behind her hand but was failing miserably. “This is the way with my sister, Anne. You’ll find her eager for mischief.”

“Where is the fun in life without it?” Emily challenged, standing taller.

“You should be careful what you say here, in case anyone overhears your sharp tongue,” Bridget warned her.

“Oh, I know, but who can resist a little fun? Come, Lady Anne, sit with me and tell me what more you know of our guests,” Emily pleaded, beckoning Anne to sit with her.

Rachel stood flummoxed as Anne willingly sat between Bridget and Emily at the table. Thrilled at the change, she took her own seat between Bridget and Dorothea, then enjoyed the party.

Unlike Dorothea, who eagerly appealed to the grandly titled ladies at one end of the table, making conversation and earning their praise for the cake and the tea, Rachel focused on her family. She spoke mostly with her sisters and even Anne, who managed to say a few words to her directly.

“Truly?” Anne said in shock after Bridget had told her all about the ways in which Rachel had advised their father on business affairs. “You talk of business?”

“Of course.” Rachel smiled as she cut some more cake from the center of the table and offered it to Anne, who eagerly nodded. “I don’t think we should be afraid of having opinions in this world. I have even offered your brother my advice on his business affairs.”

“You have?” Anne’s jaw slackened. “And he was interested in it?”

“He was.” Rachel nodded. “This startles you, Anne.”

“I guess I have always been nervous about the idea.” Anne shrugged, clearly struggling with what to say. “I mean, of voicing what I think of such things.”

“Not of everything,” Rachel reminded her with a playful smile.

Anne managed to smile back. “I mean when it comes to things of learning, such as business.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “I’ve always feared a man might not wish to hear my opinions.”

“Any man who would disparage you for such opinions is not worthy of knowing you,” Emily said, then looked sharply at Rachel again. “Did I say something else wrong?”

“Far from it.” Rachel smiled widely. “I was just beaming with pride at your words. My sister’s right, Anne. I do not believe you should be afraid to speak your thoughts on any manner of learning. You have a mind as smart as any gentleman’s. Do not be afraid to speak of what is on your mind in that regard.”

Anne smiled and reached for the cake Rachel had offered her, falling quickly into conversation with Bridget and Emily again.

Rachel sat back, stunned at the transformation before her. Perhaps Anne wasn’t quite ready to be her closest friend yet, but today marked a change. At least now, Anne was able to have an open discussion with her.

I have hope!

* * *

Rachel paced up and down in her bedchamber. One candle kept her company as she walked and fidgeted with the nightgown she wore. Repeatedly, she glanced at the door that connected her chamber to Daniel’s, uncertain what to do next.

After all that had passed between them in the early hours of that morning, she felt it was rather strange to retreat to her chamber now.

Would he mind if I came to him and walked through this door? Would he welcome me?

The thought of feeling his carnal touch made her tremble with desire. She turned to face the closed door, clasping and releasing her hands in front of her.

“What to do?”

She reasoned that she could talk to Daniel about the tea party that afternoon. It would be a good pretext to see him, for he had spent most of the afternoon and evening attending to business. She could tell him about how much Anne had relaxed in her company and appeared to have enjoyed the party.

Her eyes flitted down to the bottom of the door, hoping for some glimmer of light, but she saw that all was dark in his chamber.

Oh, he has already fallen asleep.

Disappointed that he had not decided to visit her in her chamber, she retreated across the room and sat on the edge of her bed, her fidgeting abruptly stopping. The hope she’d had of giving herself completely to Daniel this night faded to nothing. The feeling was rather like a flaming candle that was abruptly snuffed out.

Lying back on the bed, she couldn’t pull the covers over her body, for she felt far too heated. The air was hot, and sweat beaded the top of her neck, just at the thought of Daniel.

“He’s asleep, I cannot go to him now. I cannot” she murmured to herself, staring at the ceiling.

She closed her eyes and attempted to go to sleep, but she had barely been trying for a full minute when sounds started from next door, again.

Unlike the last time when she’d heard Daniel cry out, there were no words this time. It was simply one long bellowing cry of fear. That sound reached into her chest and pulled at her heart, as if a shadowy hand had reached into her soul and gripped her heart with its black fingers.

“Daniel?” She leapt out of bed.