Page 49 of The Trouble with Anna

Monsieur Gion’s hand flew to his chest, as if he’d taken a mortal blow. “Chosen? I do not choose! I follow therhythm.Themusicchooses—”

“You dance most excellently, Monsieur Gion,” the Dowagercalled from her seat in the corner of the salon. “Perhaps let’s end early, just for today?”

The dancing master, his long French nose quivering with outrage, gave a curt nod, spun neatly on his feet, and strode from the room.

“He’s quite right, you know,” said the Dowager. “A woman mustn’t lead.”

“And look at the state of the world because of it,” muttered Anna.

The Dowager bit back a smile. “Please don’t start your revolution from my drawing room! Now, one last etiquette question and we’ll finish up for the day. To whom do you curtsey first, a sovereign’s daughters or the wives of a sovereign’s sons?”

Anna knew the answer, but she wrinkled her forehead in mock concentration, just to buy a few seconds of peace.

“Anna?” the Dowager prompted.

“To the wives of a sovereign’s sons, but only if their husbands are present. Which once again reduces women to nothing without a man.”

Charlotte lifted her head from her book. “Exactly!”

“Really, why must we know all this?” asked Anna. “Surely it’s more practical for ladies to study estate management?”

“Much more practical!” cried Charlotte. “Especially as we don’t have a true sovereign currently, only the Prince Regent. Who is very fast with his hands, by the way, so be sure to look sharp when he’s around.”

The Dowager choked. “Charlotte! Never say he put his hands on you?”

“Not after I dealt him a well-timed pinch. I should write a guide to all therealthings a young lady needs to know in society.” She peeped over at her grandmother. “No need to look so appalled, Gran. I’d write it under a pen name, and think what a sensation it would cause.”

“Exactly my concern,” shot back the Dowager.

A footman, splendid in the Ramsay navy and silver, hurried into the room. “I beg your pardon, Lady Anna. A rather large delivery has arrived for you.”

“The gowns!” Charlotte jumped to her feet. “Have them brought up to Lady Anna’s room at once, Fletcher.”

The footman shifted uncomfortably. “It’s more of anoutsidedelivery. Apologies, my lady. I have strict instructions from his lordship to bring Lady Anna directly to the horse.”

“That devil dared to send me a horse?” cried Anna. She slapped her hand over her mouth and stared at the Dowager in horror. Oh, why did her mouthdothese things? Where did it get its vile independence?

A half-smile tugged at the Dowager’s lips. “I prefer ‘scamp to ‘devil,’ but far be it from me to interfere when you children fight. Go see about your horse.”

Anna, stiff with embarrassment, sidled toward the door. “I apologize again, my lady.”

The Dowager’s laughter chased her out of the room.

The front door opened, and Anna caught her breath. The horse’s neck arched over the jostle of top hats surrounding it, its eyes fine and intelligent, its ears alert, and its coat a luminous, cloudy gray. Afamousgray.

Anna could only stare, wide-eyed and unbelieving, until sheer joy snapped her out of her trance and she bounded down the stairs.

“Not so fast.” Charlotte hooked Anna’s elbow and anchored herself neatly to her side.

“It’s a Lipizzaner, you fathead! Let me go!”

“You see a horse, but I see the very large crowd of peoplearound it, all of whom would love to catch a glimpse of Julian’s fiancée.”

“I’m not his fiancée!”

“Yes, but London doesn’t know that yet and we’re not ready to present you. Let the groom take the horse to the mews so you can drool in peace.”

But Anna, with such a beauty in her sights, was in no fit state to listen. She twisted and broke free, elbowing her way smartly through the crowd toward the gray.

---