“We’ve spoken already,” she said tightly. “There’s nothing more to say.”
“Mm,” he said, feigning thoughtfulness. “And yet, it seems there was more to you than even I suspected.”
She folded her arms. “Whatever you’re implying, stop.”
Isaac took a step closer, lowering his voice. “You’ve done well. Far better than expected. The Duke not only defends you now, he bristles at your name like you’re some sacred thing.”
She stiffened, but he went on, voice mild.
“Really, Anna. You ought to be proud. The man nearly throttled me this morning, all in defense of your virtue. That kind of display doesn’t go unnoticed.”
She turned to face him fully. “You provoked him.”
He smiled. “Perhaps. But not without cause. You’re close, cousin. Very close. He defends you now. That means something.”
“It means he has character,” she snapped. “Not that I’m being,” she stopped, the word choking on her tongue.
Anna’s mouth thinned.
She took a measured breath. “You’re revolting.”
Isaac only smiled, slow and smug. “Call it what you like. I call it progress. You’ve done what was asked—more, even. He’s watching you. Protecting you. You’ve made yourself valuable, Anna.”
The word made her flinch.
“Come now,” he said softly, almost conspiratorially. “You know how this world works. A lady of limited means, no dowry, no name of current consequence, yet somehow, here you are. At the center of it. Do you truly think it wise to waste the advantage?”
Her stomach curled. “I am not a ploy.”
He gave a small, knowing smile. “Everything is a ploy, Anna. Whether you admit it or not. But if it helps, think of it as providence. You’ve captured something rare. And you’d be a fool not to use it.”
Her voice turned to iron. “If I ever marry, it will not be for leverage.”
“Of course,” he murmured. “Whatever helps you sleep.”
She opened her mouth, but then caught movement just over Isaac’s shoulder.
Henry.
He was standing near the corner window that overlooked the terrace, one hand resting casually on the ledge. His gaze caught hers.
He glanced at Isaac, still talking.
From his spot near the window, Henry lifted one brow ever so slightly…and he raised his fingers. His thumb and four fingers opened and closed in a silent, unimpressed imitation of endless speech.
Anna blinked.
Was he…?He was. He was miming a talking mouth. Mocking Isaac in the middle of one of his self-important monologues.
Then, before she could stop it, she laughed. Just once, a short, startled sound that broke the tension like a dropped glass.
Isaac paused, confused. “What?”
Anna covered her mouth with her gloved hand, trying to recover. She looked past Isaac, directly at Henry and saw the corner of his mouth twitch.
Then he turned away, already disappearing into the house.
Isaac scowled. “What’s so amusing?”
