Ducal Encounters 02 - With the Duke's Approval (26 page)

“It is hard not to think that way, given subsequent events.”

“The thought had occurred to me as well, Frankie,” Clarence said. “And I will do what I can to get to the truth, never doubt it.”

“I know you will,” Frankie replied, sitting back and waving the duke away. “I feel much better now, thank you.”

“It must be a terrible secret for someone to go to such extremes,” Anna said to no one in particular.

“The Brandenburg family lost a great deal of land when Napoleon took their territories, but they are now well on the way to restoring their wealth and consequence. Brandenburg’s heir will be set for life.” Clarence curled his upper lip. “He would consider it well worth a little collateral damage to secure that position.” Clarence stood. “And so, if you will excuse me, I must get back to study St. John’s documents.”

“Is there nothing to help you in the Foreign Office’s archives?” Winchester asked. “After all, you said yourself you had not been looking for anything other than proof of von Hessel’s guilt.”

“I have someone looking now, but am not optimistic. Von Hessel is intimate with the prince regent. If there was something there to show his cousin in a bad light, I imagine the prince would have found his way to get his hands on it, just to oblige his friend. It would also explain why von Hessel was so anxious to have a private conversation with you, Frankie, and why he sent people down to Winchester to try and get inside your house.”

“Yes, I suppose it does. But if Gerald found something important, surely he would have passed it on to the Foreign Office, rather than keeping it himself?”

“I am sure he would have, but…”

“Of course.” Frankie’s eyes dulled. “He died before he could do so, and no one from the government has come to me asking if he left anything important behind. He had a secretary who handled all his sensitive papers, so perhaps they spoke to him. It did not occur to me that any might have slipped through the net.”

“Precisely.” Clarence sighed. “The whole business is a muddle. You must excuse me from our engagement this afternoon, my dear,” he said, turning to Annalise. “Under the circumstances, I must give priority to these papers.”

“Yes, of course,” she replied, a hint of sarcasm shaping the delicate arch of her brow as she looked away from him. “Your duty must always come first.”

Damnation, he had upset her, but surely, she could see how important this was? He didn’t wish to frighten the ladies by pointing out the obvious, but none of them would be safe until this business was resolved.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly, touching Annalise’s shoulder. “I will try to call this evening.”

“Do not put yourself out for my sake.”

Annalise concentrated her attention upon the dogs sprawled at her feet, and still wouldn’t look at him. He was a little disgruntled by her attitude. How could she not know he would much rather spend his time with her? And he would so much rather, he realised with a start. Normally a conundrum such as the one created by von Hessel would claim all of his attention, and he would enjoy pitting his wits against the Prussian. His duty paled into insignificance when compared to being in Annalise’s enticing company, seeing her remarkable eyes come alight with amusement at something he said to her, kissing her compelling lips until she trembled in the circle of his arms. And yet his damned duty was still…well, his duty, and he couldn’t relax until he had assured himself of Annalise’s safety.

Had he just seen a glimpse of the real Annalise? The indulged daughter of a wealthy duchy, used to always having her way. It seemed unlikely and hardly fit with his enduring image of Annalise fighting her way out of a warehouse and finding her way home on a borrowed horse in the middle of a snowstorm. Nor did it jibe with her reaction to the poverty she saw on the streets that night. It was impossible to fake that degree of empathy.

Clarence was a good judge of character, and he was seldom wrong in his assessment of his adversaries. He didn’t want to think he was wrong about Annalise either, because he
would
marry her. He would marry her regardless of her frequent hints implying a change of heart on her part, and his own niggling doubts about rushing into a lifelong commitment when they barely knew one another. Then he recalled his reaction to having her in his arms the previous evening as they waltzed together. It had satisfied a need in him he hadn’t previously recognised, and such recollections effectively eradicated his momentary doubts. Nothing that felt so subliminally right could possibly be wrong.

His life, up until that point, had been meticulously arranged, and he had no time to dwell upon occasional fits of loneliness, or the feeling that something was missing from his life. That feeling had intensified now he was back in England, living in the huge barn of a house he had grown up in. A house that had never felt like a home and held no happy memories for him. Since meeting Annalise, he had imagined the place filled with laughter, children running about and bringing it to life. In his imagination, Annalise was in the centre of everything, always laughing, behaving recklessly; pretending she was not at least as clever as her sister. That was what he wanted, he realised with a jolt. He wanted it so much he could taste it. He had supposed Annalise wanted the same thing.

But perhaps she did not.

“I don’t mean to tell you your business, Winchester,” Clarence said, speaking in an undertone as his old friend accompanied him to the door, where Faraday awaited them with Clarence’s outer garments. “But it might be better if you all remained at home this evening, especially Annalise and Frankie. I don’t want anyone using them to get to me.”

“I understand.” Winchester slapped his back. “Anna is getting…well, to be honest, I’m not sure what afflicts her. I have never seen her so out of sorts before.” He shrugged. “Delayed reaction to her ordeal, I shouldn’t wonder.”

“Try and persuade her to rest. She looks worn out.”

Winchester rolled his eyes. “I shall certainly
try
.”

“I won’t keep you in the dark. That I promise. This business is reaching its zenith and will be resolved very soon. I can sense it.” Clarence donned his hat. “Just keep them safe, Winchester, and let me handle the rest.”

“I will do my humble best.”

They shook hands and Clarence walked through the door that Faraday opened for him.

***

Anna regretted the manner in which she had responded to Clarence almost before he left the room. She had been most ungracious, and wanted to call him back and apologise. She probably would have done so, had not Frankie and Zach been there. But if they had not been there, she could have expressed her views freely to Clarence, and would not have been so out of charity with him. She could see perfectly well the situation was serious, serious and significant, not just for them personally, but for the fragile peace that reigned across Europe.

She had never seen Frankie so discomposed before. Clearly, she believed Wahlstadt might actually have murdered her husband in order to protect his secret. How shocking! Frankie’s marriage was a puzzle. Anna thought from a few unguarded remarks her friend had made during their earlier conversation, it had not been an especially happy union, but the possibility of her husband having being murdered had clearly not occurred to Frankie before now and had affected her profoundly. Well of course it had! Even if Frankie had not loved her husband, she had lived with him for eight years, shining as a political hostess and doing all she could to enhance his career. Of course, the prospect of murder would overset her. She and Zach were now engaged in quiet conversation. Her brother would have recognised just how disturbing Frankie had found this latest development and was doing what he could to reassure her.

Anna felt as though she was intruding and wandered from the room, deep in thought. A political hostess. Is that what Anna would have to be if she married Clarence? Heavens, she would be more of a hindrance than a help to him. She never had learned to keep her opinions to herself and her spontaneity would most likely undo all Clarence’s diligent work in one foul swoop. She shook her head. It was no good. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that a marriage would make them both miserable.

Anna entered her bedchamber, restless, on edge, feeling as though something momentous was about to happen. Thinking about her engagement to Clarence, and the possibility of seeing it through to marriage. She loved her intelligent, handsome, dedicated diplomat with a passion that stirred her soul. No one else would do for her. But, quite apart from her suitability as a political hostess, she also knew if she did marry him, situations like the one that had developed today would become the norm. His duty would always come first, their plans would be cancelled at the last minute because of some emergency or other, and she would never get to enjoy more than a fraction of his company. Worse yet, she could never claim that special place in the centre of his heart, because it was already occupied by his
duty
. His cold-hearted father, who had so much to answer for in the manner he had shaped Clarence’s character, had seen to that.

Annalise had no wish to live her life on those terms, and if that made her seem overindulged and selfish, then so be it. She would prefer to live out her life as an old maid, rather than not be the central focus of her husband’s life.

The luncheon gong sounded, and Anna made her way to the dining room, plastering a smile on her face because Mama had returned from her shopping spree and would notice at once if she seemed disgruntled. She listened with half an ear to the chatter about their purchases and their plans for the rest of the week.

“Did you manage to find the new bonnet you intended to look for, Portia?” Anna asked, just to contribute to the conversation.

Portia laughed. “You should have been there to see what the woman in the shop tried to sell me. I looked like a walking fruit bowl.”

“It wasn’t
that
bad,” Crista said, stifling a laugh.

“It was bad enough,” Portia insisted.

“You look tired, Anna,” Mama said at one point. “Are you feeling quite well?”

“Yes, Mama.” Anna managed a reassuring smile. “I am fine.”

“Well, I have decided we all ought to remain at home tonight. Even if you are equal to the demands of the
ton
, my dear, they have quite exhausted me. We shall have a quiet family dinner and celebrate Amos and Crista’s news in style.”

Anna nodded her agreement, wondering if that was the real reason for the suggestion.

“We shall not be at home to visitors this afternoon, Faraday,” Mama said over her shoulder.

“Very good, your grace.”

Ah, Anna thought, glancing at Zach and understanding. Zach had advised Mama to keep them all safely at home until Clarence had resolved the matter of von Hessel.

That was all very well, she thought, escaping back to her chamber as soon as luncheon was over on the pretence of needing a rest, but she was in no mood to sit about and wait for Clarence to deign to call with more news. She needed to speak with him, and she needed to do so now. Anna was not blessed with a patient nature, which was another reason why she and Clarence would not suit. She had good reason to know his patience was endless. Otherwise, he would not have lasted five minutes in his chosen profession.

She needed to apologise for the way she had behaved that morning, and then tell him she could not marry him. Goodness only knew, she had dropped enough hints—hints which he had chosen to ignore. Well, she would confront him now in his Moon Street apartment. They would be alone, and he would have to face the unpalatable truth. A small sob slipped past her lips, but she swallowed down her anguish, determined to do what she knew to be the right thing, albeit by rather unconventional means. Calling alone at his premises was a little unorthodox, but they
were
engaged to be married. Besides, no one would ever know.

Her heart lurched at the prospect of what she must do. Knowing they could not marry was one thing. Explaining that to the man she loved, the man who could make her insides melt just by smiling at her in a particular manner, the man whose kisses send tingles cascading down her spine and other places, was entirely another. But it was for his own good as much as hers. He did not love her, was probably incapable of loving anyone, thanks to his tyrannical parent, and he would soon come to see she was in the right of it. One of them had to have the courage to face the truth, and one thing Anna had never lacked was courage.

Having told Fanny she would not need her for several hours, Anna was assured of privacy. Her only problem was escaping the house undetected. She took an old cloak from the back of her wardrobe and wrapped it around her, pulling the hood low over her curls. The garment was a dark, dreary colour and completely enveloped her. She would not be recognised. She felt a moment’s anxiety about going out alone for the first time since her abduction. It was something ladies of quality simply did not do when they were in London. But when had Anna ever allowed such considerations to deter her from her purpose?

“You are looking for excuses to delay what you know must be done,” she told her reflection severely. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself and get the pain over with.”

She
was no longer in any danger. Only Frankie was, she reminded herself, and Zach had ensured the entire family would remain safely at home with Frankie forming part of it. Anna straightened her shoulders, reminding herself she could do anything she set her mind to. This was nothing compared to escaping from that warehouse.

No, it was ten times worse, because she was about to tell the man she adored she could not marry him.

A debilitating pain ripped through Anna, momentarily halting her in her tracks. As soon as it passed, she opened her door and glanced cautiously along the corridor. It was empty. At this hour, the rest of her family would be going about their various activities or, as she was supposed to be doing, they would be resting. No visitors would be admitted, and so she was fairly sure of a clean getaway. But not down the main stairs. Faraday always seemed to know when a member of the family was about and materialised in case he was needed.