Page 35 of The Trouble with Anna

The maid glanced up from her own pile. “Only three hours, my lady.”

“Why, that’s nothing! We can’t possibly put together a whole new wardrobe in such a short time. Perhaps you’d like a nice cup of tea?”

“No!”

“I could send Ivy out for petit fours?”

Anna’s glare was her answer.

“Be reasonable!” cried Charlotte. “We haven’t discussed gloves, hats, or scarves, let alone slippers.” She thought a moment. “Josephine, do you think Locke’s for walking boots and Lampard & Hellers for slippers, or—”

Anna felt her face flood with color. “I will take these pins and—”

“Oh, all right!” She turned to Josephine. “When might we expect the first of the new dresses?”

“We can run up a morning dress in a week or so.” Josephine dropped her voice. “I assume Lord Ramsay will stand the charges.”

“The bill comes to me,” Anna cried.

“Don’t be daft,” said Charlotte. “I’ll slip the bill in with one of mine and no one will know the difference.”

“Iwill! I control the estate for a few more months and the least Chatham can do is buy me a wardrobe.”

Charlotte shrugged. “You’ll regret that when the bill arrives, but never mind. Oh, Josephine, the first gown in just a week or so. I can hardly wait!”

CHAPTER15

THE NEXT NIGHT, WHEN THEthree women were settled in the Dowager’s townhouse and Julian was over from Ramsay House for dinner, Charlotte decided it was time to meddle some more.

“Anna, did you ride out with Julian this morning?” Charlotte said as the footmen ladled out the soup. “I hope my brother isn’t too much underfoot?”

“Join us!” said Anna, looking desperate. “I’ll let you ride Sally if you—”

“Rise before ten? Heavens no.”

Not when you came in looking kissed this morning.

The Dowager had insisted that Anna must not venture into company until she had a few proper dresses and a little town bronze. This meant there was little danger that Anna could get out to sell her horses, which was Charlotte’s chief concern. It also meant Anna was at Charlotte’s mercy for a week or two. But how to make use of it?

A thought occurred to Charlotte, delicious and devious. It flickered around in her brain like a firefly, and even the little flames atop the silver candelabra on the table seemed to dance with encouragement. “I must confess it’s hard to be cooped up in thehouse like this. I’d love a waltz, a good rousing one to chase away the cold. The kind that makes your cheeks pink and bounces your hair right out of its pins.”

“That only ever happens with your pins, darling,” said the Dowager from across the table.

Charlotte ignored her. “Have you ever danced like that, Anna? Spinning so fast that one wrong step and you’ll fly off to the moon?”

Anna took a delicate sip of soup.

“Anna?” Charlotte prompted. “Did you hear my question?”

“Yes, but I didn’t think you expected me to answer.”

From down the length of the gleaming table, Julian gave a coughing laugh.

“Oh, that’s right!” Charlotte continued, ignoring her brother. “You don’t know how to waltz, do you? I forget how behind things are in the country.”

Anna’s face went carefully blank and Charlotte experienced a rare pang of remorse. Luckily, it didn’t last long.

Hold on, my friend, and trust me. It may sting now, but unless I miss my guess, there will be even more kissing in your future.

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