“Do you realize that you are conversing more civilly with that horse than you’ve ever conversed with me? It would appear that all I need to do is become a horse to be favored with your confidences.”
“I’ve always had a bond with horses.”
“Tell me about your first horse.”
He smiled, still stroking Odysseus’s flank. “Shadow was his name. My father’s head groom taught me how to ride. I was frightened at first and then I learned to love the freedom that riding gave me. I could leap onto a horse’s back and ride away from all the responsibilities, the lessons in how to become a duke. My younger brother, Rupert, was frightened of horses but I’ve always felt an affinity for these proud, wild creatures that we tame to our purposes.”
“You’ve never spoken of your brother before now. Does he live in London?”
“Sometimes. He’s in Surrey at the moment.”
“At your ancestral estate?”
“No. He has his own residence.”
“Is he married? Does he have children?”
“Yes and no.” He gave Odysseus another carrot, his face turned away from her.
She blew a curl away from her eyes. “You’re back to monosyllables.”
“And you should be back with Aunt Glynis.” He took her arm so firmly that she had no choice but to accompany him out of the stables.
“Goodbye, Odysseus,” she said over her shoulder. “I do hope we’ll meet again.”
As she and Lady Glynis were leaving, Ana turned back for one more glimpse of the duke. He was standing with his huge arms folded over his chest, one sardonic eyebrow raised, a purplish bruise visible on his cheek, and his usual unreadable, stoic expression stamped across his face.
This wasn’t over. She must find a way to return. She wasn’t nearly finished observing the gentleman’s club. As they departed, Lady Glynis marching purposefully in front of her, Ana had an inspiration. Ever so subtly, she pulled a fan out of her pocket and let it drop by the wide French doors, grateful for the lady’s haste in exiting. Congratulating herself on her own quick thinking, she followed out into the street. Her new delicately carved ivory fan with its bewitching scallops of lace? Why, she’d simplyhave toreturn for it later...
Chapter Thirteen
With a brave little shake of her head, Amsonia shimmied up the back of his foreleg and found an indentation just between his wings that was big enough to lie in. Her body and arms outstretched, she rested her cheek against Qavox’s back. “I’m ready!” she called, and the dragon took flight.
—The Dragon and the Blue Starby Analise Crewe
Later that afternoon at the modiste’s shop, Ana barely recognized the woman she saw in the glass. She lifted the skirts of the simple, elegant white muslin gown, turning this way and that, admiring her reflection. Green silk trim around the neckline and waist glowed like a polished apple in the light from the high glass atrium of the dressmaker’s shop.
“Oh, miss, it’s so lovely. You look like a princess,” Tessie said, clasping her hands together.
“I’ve achieved quite the transformation,” Madame Fontaine, the dressmaker agreed. “The color of the silk trim is perfect for bringing out the green in your eyes and for highlighting the gold in your hair. When the duke sees you in this, Miss Crewe...” She smiled saucily.
“He’ll think that I’m an investment and he’d better have a handsome return in the form of several marriage proposals from eligible gentlemen.”
“He’ll be thinking he wants to take a bite out of you,” the dressmaker said, her smile widening.
“What an odd thing to say.” Ana wondered whether she should use that line in her book.
Madame Fontaine tugged the bodice down an inch. “You’ll understand my meaning soon enough.” She pinned the fabric in place. “You don’t have much but what you do have is now accentuated to perfection.”
“Oh, Miss Crewe,” Tessie said, running to the shop window. “I see my old friend Elsie. Might I go and speak with her?”
“Of course. I’ll be quite safe with Madame Fontaine. And Lady Glynis will be back any moment from her tea.”
“Won’t Elsie just die to see me wearing this smart maid’s uniform. I won’t be long.” Tessie ran merrily for the door.
The dressmaker lifted the gown over Ana’s head, careful not scratch her with the pins.
“I must make the final adjustments. It won’t take but a moment. Stay behind the screen and I’ll be back with the gown shortly.”