Ducal Encounters 02 - With the Duke's Approval by Wendy Soliman Page B

Lord Romsey’s forte. What it most definitely did not require was one of her hot headed brothers fighting duels to avenge her abduction—something she would not put past Nate.
    Pleased that her cognitive powers appeared to have been restored to her, Anna sat up and reached for a thick shawl that was draped across the bed. She wrapped it around her shoulders, wondering if she would ever feel truly warm again. Fanny returned with a tray, which she placed over Anna’s lap. There was more broth, fresh bread, and pastries to tempt Anna’s sweet tooth. She had felt hungry when she awoke, but now she had food in front of her she found it hard to eat and pushed the tray away again, having not taken very much. She did however drink two cups of tea, which revived her.
    “Ah, you are awake.” Her mother and sister joined her, but the duchess frowned when she saw how little Anna had eaten. “Is that all you can manage?”
    “For now. I will have something else, later.”
    “How do you feel?” Portia asked.
    “Unlike you two, not ready to go dancing quite yet,” Anna replied, observing that she and her mother were both dressed in fine evening gowns.
    “Zach insists we maintain appearances,” Portia responded, wrinkling her nose. “Lady Sampson has a musicale this evening. Naturally, the boys would not be seen dead there, but Mama, you, and I have already accepted, and we believe the horrible count will be there with Miss Outwood. Zach thinks if we behave as normal, it will make him wonder why we are not more concerned about you.”
    Anna jerked upright. “Lord Romsey thinks the count was the one who abducted me?”
    “That is one possibility.”
    And one that had occurred to Anna, also. She was more determined than ever to discover why his lordship harboured such suspicions. “It wasn’t me they intended to abduct, but Frankie,” she said, gulping back her anguish.
    “Shush, my dear.” Mama patted Anna’s hand. “Don’t overset yourself.”
    “What excuses will you make for me?”
    “You are indisposed with a sick headache.” Portia grinned. “I dare say the event will be packed with your admirers. Men who, like our brothers, would not normally go near such an event. They will be devastated by your absence, but will have no choice but to sit through the performance.”
    “Don’t tease your sister, Portia dear,” Mama chided gently.
    “I speak only the truth.” Portia grinned. “However, Zach has charged me to watch the count’s reaction carefully and report back to him.”
    “That will take your mind off the music.”
    “I certainly hope so.”
    Anna managed a brief smile. “You are not supposed to be so jaded in your first season, Portia.”
    “Shall you mind us leaving you, Anna?” Mama asked. “It hardly seems right.”
    “Not in the least.” Anna saw fine lines around her mother’s eyes that she had not previously noticed. Usually so poised and elegant, so very much in control of her emotions, tonight Mama looked every one of her sixty years. Anna felt guilty for having put her through so much torment, even though she had not done so intentionally. Her determination to get to the bottom of what had happened to her increased when she saw how badly her mama had been affected by the experience. Anger, she discovered, was a good way to overcome fear and physical debilitation. “Personally, I have no intention of stepping one foot outside of this lovely warm house until the temperature has risen by at least twenty degrees.”
    “That’s not to be wondered at.”
    They spoke of general things for a few minutes more. Neither Mama nor Portia plagued her with questions about her ordeal. They must have known the gentleman were waiting to do so and, out of deference for her feelings, didn’t ask her to relive it twice. She had sworn Fanny to secrecy, and they had no idea she planned to go downstairs this evening, either. Mama would most certainly try to persuade her against it, and Anna was not