Free The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh by Ella Quinn

“Lady Blanchard said Anna has not taken in London, and she should come home to find a match here.”
    â€œThe old biddy.” He ground his teeth. If either of the Blanchards thought Percy would have Anna, they were much mistaken. Rutherford would pack her off back to Town and marry her by special license. He’d pound Percy into oblivion.
    Cecilia wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think Lady Blanchard is that old, she—”
    â€œFor your information,” he interrupted, “Anna Marsh could have been married several times over, if she’d wanted. Never mind. I must change. I’m having tea at Marsh Hill.” He raised his brows. “Don’t you have lessons?”
    Three heads nodded.
    â€œGo then. I’ll see you before dinner.”
    â€œWill you be in a better mood then?” Cecilia asked.
    â€œYes.” Because he was going to find any excuse he could to smash his fist into Percy Blanchard’s pasty face.
    He watched fondly as his sisters ran off as quickly as they’d come. He didn’t like to think of Althea’s being old enough to come out or having her exuberance stifled by the ton . Yet Anna had not allowed that to happen. That was the reason he’d been so fooled about her. She presented such a serene front in Town. How did she accomplish keeping the demands of the ton from crushing her essence? How much did he actually know about her? He had the feeling he’d only scratched the surface. Well, if he was going to marry her, he’d better find out.

    Anna sat in the small drawing room entertaining Aunt Lillian with stories from the Little Season when Rutherford arrived. Anna turned to him and smiled. For some reason he looked more handsome than usual. His coat of dark blue superfine fitted snuggly across his shoulders. His cream and light-blue striped vest was just the thing, and his pantaloons showed his muscled legs to perfection. She could probably see her reflection in his highly polished Hessian boots.
    Anna rose to greet him and, without thinking, took his hand. Flames lanced through her as if she’d been hit by lightning. She pulled her hand back, but he tightened his grip. Anna glanced up at him and swallowed. Rutherford raised her hand to his lips, and she closed her eyes, waiting. A tingle started where his mouth touched her fingers and spread. She opened her eyes and met his gaze. This spending time with him was not working. Her heart would only break again when he left. She must come up with something else.
    A cough caught her attention, and she turned around. Her aunt watched them, smiling.
    â€œOh.” Anna glanced back at Rutherford.
    â€œWe can continue to stand, if you wish.” His eyes danced with humor. “Though, it might appear rather odd after a while.”
    Anna nodded gratefully. “Yes, of course, we’ll sit.”
    She reclaimed her seat on the small sofa, and he sat next to her.
    â€œIs Sir William joining us?” he asked.
    â€œNo,” Lillian said. “He’s working on something and asked to be excused.”
    Anna and Rutherford related the latest on dits about people they all knew until Lady Blanchard and Percy were announced.
    Percy wasn’t dressed quite so garishly as this morning, but still wore a great many fobs and other items. Anna assumed a polite smile and rose to greet them.
    Percy bowed and tried to take her arm. “Miss Marsh, please sit with me over here.”
    Anna avoided him by taking Lady Blanchard’s elbow. “My lady, have a seat on this sofa. It is nearer the fire.”
    Anna escorted Lady Blanchard to the sofa Percy had indicated, then went back and resumed her place next to Rutherford.
    Lady Blanchard smiled thinly and sank on to the sofa.
    Scowling at Rutherford, Percy sat next to her.
    â€œLord Rutherford,” Lady Blanchard said. “How unusual to see you here. It’s been quite two weeks since I saw your mother. Is she