Free Susan Johnson by When Someone Loves You Page A

“Does it, Molly?” she added with a wink at the wet nurse. The two women had discussed the marquis at length while Annabelle was gone.
    “Not one bit it don’t hurt,” Molly agreed cheerfully. “A little fun would be good for you, Miss Belle.”
    “You must wear something pretty tomorrow, my dear,” her mother declared, her good humor in sharp contrast to her recent despairing moods. “Perhaps that lovely pink sprigged muslin with the ruffled hem and lace collar.”
    Belle made a small moue. “I’m not sure I wish to wear something so colorful with Chloe so recently gone.”
    “Nonsense. Nothing will bring Chloe back no matter if you wear the blackest black forever,” Mrs. Foster asserted steadfastly. “And your dear sister would want you to be happy. Since Papa died we’ve been sadly lacking in anything resembling that emotion. Do you know the marquis made me laugh today,” her mother said, softly, “when I thought I’d forgotten how. And it felt ever so good, darling,” she added with a brisk nod. “So be a dear and wear something nice for me tomorrow.”
    How could she refuse when her mother had been lost to her inner world of misery for months? How could she possibly refuse such a simple request. “If you wish me to wear the pink sprigged muslin, Mama, I shall,” Annabelle said, smiling at her mother.
    “What a good girl you are,” her mother said cheerfully, as she had so many times during Annabelle’s childhood. “Now, you’ll need a bonnet for the sun, what with the racetrack out in the open. Do we have anything pretty?”
    “I have that small leghorn bonnet, Mama.” It had been left behind on one of her previous visits.
    “Yes, yes.” Her mother clapped her hands. “The little straw with the pink ribbons and silk roses. Perfect. Now, you must make sure to be ready by one so the marquis isn’t kept waiting.”
    If going to the races with Duff and wearing pink could make her mother this happy, she would gladly comply, Annabelle decided. “Don’t worry, Mama, I’ll be ready before-times.”
    And in truth, perhaps she might even be looking forward to a festive afternoon at the races in the company of the charming marquis.
    Duff was very different from the men she’d known.
    Less covetous and predatory, touched with a kind of grace.
    And he was willing to be a friend, he’d said.
    Although time would tell about that.
    In her experience, friendships between men and women didn’t exist.

Chapter
11
     
    T he next morning, Eddie walked into Duff’s bedroom, bringing him his morning coffee and a small leather box from his father.
    “The duke’s steward brung it over,” Eddie said, depositing the box on the bedside table and handing Duff his coffee. “I figured it wer serious business to get old Norton out this far.”
    “Was there a note with it?” Duff recognized Grey’s signature red box.
    Eddie dug in his waistcoat pocket and pulled out a folded card.
    Taking the card from his batman, Duff flipped it open with one finger as he drank down his coffee in a single draught. “Christ,” he muttered a moment later, tossing the card aside, shoving his empty cup at Eddie and leaning over to grab the red box. “Apparently I’ve been an invalid too bloody long.” He opened the lid to find a small jeweled pin in the shape of a rose resting on crushed white satin. “Pink diamonds for Miss Foster,” he drawled. “My father doesn’t think I have brains enough to court her properly.”
    “There be a few more items downstairs, too, sar,” Eddie noted sheepishly. “I didn’t know if’n—”
    “I’d toss you back downstairs if you brought them all up?”
    “Yes, sar,” his batman murmured, keeping his distance.
    “Good thinking,” Duff growled.
    “They all mean well, sar.”
    Duff grimaced. “I know they do.” He sighed softly. “So what the hell else is Miss Foster getting today?”
    “I don’t rightly know, sar. But every single one in your family sent somethin’