bookshelf. Anna found a couple of novels before leaving the room and, after some hesitation, took Harryâs book as well. If nothing else, it would make her feel closer to him.
October 26th, 1814, London
Rutherford decided not to tell either Anna or Lady Marsh he would accompany Anna to Marsh Hill. Sheâd accepted his escort, albeit unwillingly, to Charteries, Marcusâs familyâs estate. Rutherford had no desire to push his luck any further until he had to. Miss Marsh would discover he intended to escort her to Kent when he did not turn off the post road to London, and by then it would be too late for her to object.
Arriving the next morning shortly after eight oâclock, he discovered that early was a relative term. Anna was ready at eight oâclock. Lady Marsh had not yet come down.
He paced the entry hall and checked his pocket watch, again, before addressing Anna. âDo you think sheâll be much longer?â
âIâll send someone to fetch her. Itâs not good to keep the horses waiting like this.â Anna hailed a maid and gave her instructions.
Thirty minutes later, Lady Marsh appeared on the stairs. âGood morning, Lord Rutherford. I do hope I have not kept you waiting.â
He took the offered hand and bowed. âNo, my lady. Not at all.â
Anna glanced up at the ceiling. âMama, we must depart if we are to reach Charteries by noon.â
Lady Marsh fluttered over Anna like a hen over a chick. âDo you have everything you need?â
âYes, Mama.â
Anna turned to go out the front door, and her mother embraced her. âMy dear, child. How I will miss you.â
Anna returned the hug. âI will miss you as well. We must leave.â
Tears sprang into Lady Marshâs eyes. âYes, of course. How silly of me.â
She stood in the door weeping and mopping her eyes with a lace-trimmed handkerchief as Rutherford helped Anna into the coach. Youâd have thought Anna was going to Russia and Lady Marsh would never see her daughter again. âI donât remember your mother being like this.â
Anna frowned slightly. âEver since Harry died she has been.â
âLady Marsh has never recovered?â
âNo. Not really,â Anna said sadly.
Rutherford couldnât imagine how painful losing a child would be. The death of his friend had been hard enough to bear. Rutherford closed the door and gave the coachman the signal to start. He mounted his horse, waiting until the outriders Lady Marsh had hired flanked the carriage, before following after them. They made their way through Londonâs morning traffic, then on to the post road without incident.
The trip would take approximately three hours. They stopped midway to refresh themselves. It would be a good time to start getting back into Annaâs good graces.
He handed her down from the coach. âIâve reserved a private parlor, if youâd like it?â
She glanced around. âThank you, but I think Iâd prefer to stand for a while.â
âVery understandable. Would you like hot cider?â
âYes, please.â
He found a servant to bring their drinks. âAnna, itâs occurred to me that I could have been of more help since Harry died. Iâm sorry I was not.â
She glanced suddenly at him, her brows drawn together. âIt wasnât your fault you kept being called away to your other estates.â
âI might have left it in my stewardâs hands.â He should have quit going on missions and paid more attention to Anna.
âThat is never the answer. You owe a duty to your dependents.â
This conversation was not going at all how he wanted it to. While he was trying to think of what else to say, the coachman came up.
âMiss, itâs time we were going again.â
Anna put her cup down on a bench. âIâll be right there.â
When Rutherford and Anna arrived at Charteries, Lord
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