CHAPTER20
The next morning, Anna stood in the front doorway of Cotoneaster, wringing her hands. The carriage transporting Elinor had arrived moments ago. The staff swarmed the vehicle like a charm of hummingbirds, carrying the marchioness’s belongings inside and inquiring about her journey.
Anna looked around, hoping to see Philip walking back toward the manor in the distance. He had left early that morning—she had heard him creep past her room at dawn—and had not been seen since.
Evidently, whatever business had called him from the house was no business of hers. He hadn’t even bothered to say goodbye.
Elinor’s voice roused Anna from her thoughts, calling her name from the bottom of the steps. She hurried up and yanked Anna into a hug.
“Oh, Anna. You’ve been my sister for all of a day and a night, and already I missed you so much that I could barely sleep.”
Elinor drew back to inspect Anna, the dark lavender collar of her traveling coat reflecting the sun, blinding her. She linked arms with Anna and led her into the manor.
“That’s not to say that your family was not every part as accommodating as one would hope while I was in Somerset. The dinner last night was exquisite, and George was excellent company for the duration of my stay. I even suggested that he could come with me today, but he did not seem inclined to accompany me on such a long trip.”
To say nothing of the fact that he is still furious with Philip.
Elinor trailed off once they were inside. She released Anna and laughed, flinging her hat at the nearest footman, who caught it with surprising dexterity.
“Forgive me,” she said. “It has been a long and lonely journey, and I have always been prone to rambling. You will become an expert on my faults soon enough. We are to spend an enormous amount of time together, now that we are sisters-in-law. So I will be quiet for now, and you can begin telling me how you like the house and your new… well, your new everything.”
Anna glanced around, trying to make up her mind.
Elinor’s presence had a calming effect on her, but thoughts of Philip niggled at the edge of her consciousness. It was impossible to separate the manor from its master. Like Philip, the house was beautiful but cold and daunting.
“Cotoneaster Manor is like something out of a book,” Anna replied, avoiding Elinor’s happy, expectant gaze. “I have never seen a residential house quite so large. I lost myself in the inner courtyard after breakfast. And my room is perfectly lovely.”
Albeit lonely, she refrained from adding.
“Mrs. Granville has kept me company in your stead. We planned to walk the grounds later so that she could introduce me to her son. I was hoping to spend some time in the library later, and perhaps to drive around the nearby village.”
A dark shadow passed over Elinor’s face, and Anna paused. Was that not the answer she had been hoping to hear? That Anna was happy with her new accommodations?
“That’s all well and good, my dear. But you have made no mention of my brother.” Elinor scowled. “Did he not offer to accompany you on Mrs. Granville’s tour? Was he not with you at breakfast, nor in the quadrangle this morning?”
Anna shook her head, fidgeting with the ruffles on her sleeve.
“Hmm…” Elinor crossed her arms. “I suppose that much was to be expected. One should not feel disappointed when things go exactly as one thought they would, and yet I find myself quite upset at my brother and his comportment toward you. A woman’s first day as a wife is a monumental and often terrifying moment.”
She sighed, then lowered her voice as servants filed into the manor, carrying her trunks. “You and I will just have to make our own fun. Women make for the best companions anyway. My fickle brother would only have gotten in our way.”
Anna nodded, genuinely touched by Elinor’s support but wishing she didn’t think so poorly of Philip.
The duke had made no secret the recent change in his sister’s temperament. Anna didn’t want to come between the siblings if she could help it, and she vowed at that moment to do whatever she could to mend their broken relationship.
And what better time than the present to get started?
Slipping between the footmen by the doors, Philip entered the manor. His cheeks were nipped from the cold outside, his dark hair tousled just above his shoulders.
His sudden appearance took Anna’s breath away. This man was her husband, and although he couldn’t stand to spend a moment alone with her, she was flooded with intense pride and desire at the sight of him.
“You arrived earlier than planned,” he said to Elinor upon approaching. “Did something expedite your departure from Somerset?”
“Nothing in particular,” Elinor replied, keeping her voice level but her eyes sharp. “I always planned to leave Somerset with the dawn. And why not? I was anxious to reunite with you both and see how Anna is faring.”
Philip nodded in reply, then gave Anna another small nod.
She smiled back placidly, wondering if this was the only form of communication he would allow now that Elinor was here and their marriage of convenience was well underway. Distant and wordless gestures. It was a cruel commandment, when all she wanted to do was wrap her arms around him and beg him to fall in love with her.
