Page 72 of His Accidental Duchess

Anna was sitting on the window seat of the music room, quietly watching Kitty take her first-ever pianoforte lesson. She had spent a whole hour listening to what appeared to be the worst pianoforte playing in the world. It seemed that poor Kitty had assumed that she would be able to play beautifully almost at once, and she was hugely disappointed that actual work was involved.

Mr. Errol, however, the young music tutor recommended by Octavia, was kind, patient, and soft-spoken.

“It can be remarkably difficult to learn how to place one’s hands on the keys,” he said encouragingly. “Especially when you have such small hands. The more you practice, however, the easier it will become.”

Kitty frowned. “I don’t think it will ever get easy.”

Mr. Errol thought for a moment. “Here. Let me show you.”

Placing his hands on the keys, he played a few bars of a beautiful, complicated piece of music that Anna did not recognize.

“I began learning the pianoforte when I was your age,” Mr. Errol said, smiling down at the girl. “I played a great many wrong notes and slammed the piano lid down in anger more times than I could count, but at the end of it, I practiced, I learned, and now I am able to play the pianoforte like this. Wouldn’t you like to learn that?”

“Yes, I would,” Kitty said, brightening. “Anna… my stepmother… says that I will enjoy learning to play.”

“She is right. Now, I believe our time is up. You will practice, won’t you, Lady Katherine?”

She nodded seriously. “I swear I shall.”

“Excellent.”

Anna rose to her feet, setting aside her book. The lesson, all in all, had been a success. Kitty’s enthusiasm for music wasn’t dampened at all, although she at least now realized that a bit of work was going to be necessary.

They were talking about future lesson plans and Kitty’s progress when Mrs. Haunt entered the room.

“Forgive the intrusion, Your Grace,” she said mildly, “but Mrs. Wickham is here—His Grace’s cousin,” she clarified when Anna blinked at her in confusion. “Mrs.CaptainWickham, I should say. I took the liberty of showing her into the parlor. I hope I haven’t overstepped, Your Grace.”

“No, no, of course not. I’ll be there in a moment. Kitty, go back to Martha in the nursery, won’t you? You can come down when your papa returns and show us what you’ve learned on the pianoforte today. Mrs. Haunt, show Mr. Errol out, won’t you? Give him something to eat and drink in the kitchen first.”

“Of course,” Mrs. Haunt said, smiling at the young man. “Follow me, Sir.”

All that was left was for Anna to make her way down the endless, winding corridors that spanned the house from the music room to the parlor at the front.

Really, who neededthismany rooms? she thought as she walked, smothering a yawn.

Sleep had not come easily, of course. How could it, when all she could think about was Theo, what they had done in the library, and how he had rejected her at her bedroom door?

It was hard to think of it as anything other than a rejection. She had all but offered herself to him—she had even saidpleaselike he requested—and still he turned away.

Did he not feel the same way she did? Anna had never grappled with a desire like this,wantingsomething so badly that it almost burned. It was like an itch that she could not scratch, leaving her flustered and frustrated while he, the wretch that he was, was cool-eyed and almost bored.

Did he feel nothing?

He promised a marriage of convenience and duty,she reminded herself miserably.Perhaps that is all he is capable of. I’m the one overstepping the boundaries he drew, after all.

Anna wasn’t a fool. She knew that their interlude in the library could not possibly get her with child. But once shewaswith child, there would be no reason for them to do such a thing again. Not ever, if she gave birth to a boy. No kisses, no lingering touches, no fingertips skimming up her thigh.

She shivered at the memory, pausing outside the parlor to collect herself.

This is what you agreed to. You made your bed, and now you’ll lie in it. There’s nothing else to be said.

Drawing in a deep breath and plastering a smile on her face, Anna turned the door handle and walked in.

She vaguely recognized the tall, fair-haired woman who stood by the window, her velvet-black dress making her seem even thinner and paler than she already was.

“Mrs. Wickham, is it not?” Anna said, coming forward with a smile. “I remember you from the wedding. I am so sorry that I didn’t see more of you at Lady Tether’s ball. I left early because of a megrim,” she added.

Mrs. Wickham gave her a long, frank stare, and Anna had the feeling she was being sized up.

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