Page 51 of Wicked Is the Duke
"I'm afraid they'll have to wait. The school isn't close, but you'll meet them when they're home this summer for a break."
"Well, I certainly look forward to meeting your sisters. All of them."
He laughed softly. "Remind me to tell you about each one of my sisters so you may prepare yourself. They're each unique in their own way. Good or bad."
"Now you have me curious, Henry."
He picked up a glass of wine and drank from it. "I suppose I'm partially to blame for coddling them after our parents died. Though they had governesses, they still ran wild, and I let them. I thought that's what children did."
"I'm sure you did the best you could, given the circumstances."
He shook his head and took another drink of wine. "I should have known better. At least I realized they all needed to go off to school, that being schooled at home wasn't preparing them for the future."
"Your circumstances were unique. You did the best you could. Don't ever doubt that."
"I don't," he replied.
She'd heard stories about his siblings, how they ran amuck, running wild on the estate. Jane had told her that, and she had been grateful when her brother sent them to their respective schools. They had simply needed guidance, and at the time, Henry was unable to give it to them.
Dessert was served. A simple one, giving them the choice of a decadent chocolate cake or fruit and cheese. Anna smiled as she watched her husband make a plate of cheese and fruit and eat it with the cake. Henry had a voracious appetite, something Anna was unfamiliar with. Robert had always been quite disciplined in everything he did, including the food he ate. It amused her to no end to watch her husband enjoy a good meal.
"Come," he said, putting his cloth napkin to one side of his plate. "Let's retire to the drawing room for a brandy before we leave."
She nodded and waited for a footman to help her from her chair. Henry was enjoying whatever he had planned for them this evening. What sort of place was he taking her? And why would he not tell her, and why was he looking like the cat who'd swallowed a canary?
***
Not wanting the ducalcarriage to be seen anywhere near Lady Tinsley's, Henry had asked his coachman to hire a hackney for the evening. The man had looked at him curiously but never questioned him. Henry's offer of a night off for the man's silence was payment enough.
"Why aren't we using the carriage?" Anna asked, eyeing him curiously.
"There was a bit of a problem with a wheel," he lied, "and they hadn't finished the repair."
"Will it be ready in the morning?"
He nodded. "Yes. He promised me the work would be complete first thing in the morning."
That seemed to satisfy her curiosity. Unlike most women, Anna had an overactive imagination. While he was glad she was curious, he was certain that trait could lead him to a run-in with his bride.
They rode in silence for most of the trip. The curtain had been drawn to keep the cold out. It left his wife unaware of where they were headed. If she did know, he was sure there would be questions. Asking her to don a mask once they arrived at their destination would prove interesting. He peered at the sack he'd placed both masks in, surprised Anna had not asked what was inside.
He felt the carriage slow, coming to a halt. He instructed the man to return in an hour with the promise of a bonus for his troubles. The last thing he wanted to do was look for a hackney at this time of night in this area of town.
Henry assisted Anna from the carriage and offered his arm. Once inside the wrought iron gate, he directed his wife to a side entrance. He stopped a moment and dug into the bag. He handed her a mask, pulling out one for himself.
"Put this on. This club runs on anonymity. Everyone keeps their faces covered."
She put on the black and gold mask, looking quite hesitant. "What sort of place is this?"
He explained to her what went on inside and why the need to cover one's face. Henry could tell her mind was whirling in a thousand different directions.
"Are we..."
He cut her off, trying to ease her mind. "We're here to observe. I thought you'd like to see some of the things we could learn. That is if you're interested when we leave."
"We're going to watch people having sexual relations?" she bit out.
"Yes, but we won't be in the room. Lady Tinsley has a way for us to observe without being seen or our presence being known."
