“Why not? It could happen,” David said. “Perhaps Bridget’s injury will convince your father and the Duke of Hamilton that they ought to put any disagreements aside for your sister’s sake.”
Anna sighed. The image of the future that David painted was so lovely and enchanting. She wanted to just sink into it and believe in it as earnestly as he seemed to, but she could not bring herself to have such blind faith in the future when her sister had remained unconscious for three days.
“I heard the constable has questioned Lady Hastings,” David said.
“I suppose that is to be expected,” Anna said.
“Lord Hastings was displeased, as you might imagine,” David said. “His wife claimed that a sudden rage overcame her when she heard the Duke of Hamilton defend your sister’s honor. Lady Hastings once loved His Grace, and it seems as though her love—as obsessive as it seems—has not diminished over the years.”
Anna shivered and rubbed her forearms as if to warm herself. “I would not call such a thing love,” she said.
“I know,” David said. “But Lady Hastings believes it is. I do wonder if there is something to learn from this all. Perhaps nothing good comes from arranging for daughters to marry men they do not love.”
“If only everyone had realized that sooner.”
“Yes.” David cleared his throat. “I want to ask something of you, but I am uncertain if now is the best time.”
“What is it?”
“Your father’s debts,” he said slowly. “The Marquess of Thornton has called off the engagement, and even if he decides that he does want to wed Bridget, we both know that he cannot.”
Anna shook her head. “Father’s debts are… they are not my concern at the moment.”
“I know,” he said, “but I wanted to speak to your father about them.”
Anna furrowed her brow and slowly shook her head. A terrible thought had just occurred to her. Guilt sparked in her chest. “If Bridget dies, I do not know if I can ever forgive my father,” she said. “He alone may not be to blame for what happened to Bridget, but he also is not blameless.”
“He is only a man, Anna,” David said. “Men make mistakes.”
“I know, but some errors are easier to forgive than others.”
“I will abide by your wishes and say nothing,” David said, “but if you have a change of heart, Anna, you only have to ask. I know you have refused me before, but the situation has changed. I will do anything I can to ensure that both you and your family are happy.”
What had Anna done to be deserving of such a kind and gentle man? She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. Anna ached to do more. During the poetry reading, she had sneaked behind a bookshelf with David, and they had kissed with such fervor that it had made Anna’s knees weak. They had done nothing further, but Anna burned when their eyes locked across rooms or when his hand brushed against hers. Her wedding night had become her greatest fantasy, and she lay awake at night thinking about his strong hands reverently tracing her every curve.
But it did not seem appropriate to do anything more while her sister lay unconscious, and her family was estranged. She looked at her lap and sighed, her gaze drifting to Bridget.
“You are kinder than I deserve,” Anna said.
He grinned roguishly. “I think I am exactly what you deserve.”
That was impossible. Anna leaned forward and let her forearms rest on her knees. Her back hurt from long hours spent sitting at Bridget’s side, but she could not bring herself to abandon her sister for even a moment. If Bridget ever woke, Anna did not want her to be alone.
“How long did you bribe my maid to stay away?” Anna asked.
“Until I leave,” David said. “Would you like me to?”
“No,” Anna said. “I never want you to leave. I want you to stay with me forever.”
“I do not know if I can stay in this room with you for that long,” David said, “but I shall remain with you for as long as I can today.”
“That will be long enough,” Anna said.
She reached out and grasped Bridget’s hand in hers. Anna’s brow furrowed as she rubbed circles along her sister’s wrist. She needed Bridget to wake. She needed her to live and have a happy life and a marriage with someone that she loved.
Anna’s lip quivered. She told herself that she ought to think more positively, just as David was. But being optimistic seemed so impossible when her sister was lying in bed, so wounded and still.
Chapter 38
