Page 106 of The Trouble with Anna

“Endless worry!”

“Given you much more trouble thanIever—”

The Dowager fixed her with a look. “Not by a mile, darling.”

A great clatter on the street captured their attention, and Charlotte dashed over to the window. “It’s Julian! Anna, quick, to the dressing room. I know exactly the gown you ought to wear.”

“I think I’d like a second alone,” said Anna.

“What? No! You’ve barely said a word about last night! I still want to knowevery—”

The Dowager got up from the bed, grabbed Charlotte’s wrist, and marched her toward the hall.

Charlotte caught the doorframe and clung like a starfish.

Everything!she mouthed, before one last yank from the Dowager had her stumbling into the hall, leaving Anna deep in her thoughts.

CHAPTER41

ANNA MARCHED ALONG THE MEWSbehind the Dowager’s house a week later, squinting against the mellow winter sun. She was thinking. Or trying not to think. Or… she wasn’t quite sure. All she knew was she was badly mixed up and needed to talk to a horse.

Horses didn’t judge. Except stallions—they were the worst kind of snobs. No, for this situation she needed a mare, mature and steady. Sally would know what to make of the whirl of the past week.

Besides, Anna had a present for her.

She looked down at the odd bouquet she carried. Bright chamomiles peeping out from a clutch of grain stalks and carrots, all tucked into a hollow squash.

It had come with a note:

Sally, Esteemed Mare of the Mews

Ramsay Dower House

London, England

My dearest Sally,

An offering for you to admire or eat, as you please. There are more carrots in your future if you convince your mistress to move up the wedding date.

—Ramsay

Damn the man. What kind of scoundrel sent flowers to a horse?

Anna bit back a grin. For that matter, what kind of man sent a parade of ridiculous presents and even more ridiculous notes, some so gleefully filthy she thought her cheeks might crisp off? How was she meant to feel when he kept bustling her off to the orangerie and kissing her stupid, all the while whispering what he would do to her once they were married, if only she would agree to a special license?

He was relentless. Heartless to tempt her! She wanted to boil him in oil. Snip off his toes and fry them up. Or roast them. Or whatever Cook did to give her little potatoes such a delicious crunch. If Anna didn’t know better, she might almost think Julian cared, might almost think he loved…

Anna shushed herself. Julian had never once mentionedfeelings, orcaring, or, god help her gasping heart,love.

She reached the stables and peeked her head in. “Good morning, Oliver. I’ve brought a treat for Sally.”

The groom looked up from his sweeping. “Hello, my lady.” He looked over her shoulder and straightened up. “And good morning to you, my lord.”

A thrill ran up Anna’s back.

“Good morning, Oliver.” Julian’s voice reverberated from close behind her. “Clear the stables.”

Anna’s face flamed like a bonfire as the grooms and stableboys filed out, careful not to look at her.

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