Anne was already out of her chair. She could hardly wait to see him.
Chapter 6
Rafe sat brooding in his study, which was just off the library. He stared through the open doorway at the shelves of books and was immediately comforted.
Harry had just left, and while it had been a good visit—Harry’s father and brother were ready to stand in support of Rafe becoming the Earl of Stone—it had also left him emotionally raw. Or more raw than he was already after yesterday’s revelations.
Lord Aylesbury, Harry’s father, had actually known Rafe’s father. They’d been friends. And now that Rafe knew who his parents were, there would be more people like him. Rafe hadn’t considered all the people in Society who would come forward to tell him and Selina that they’d known their parents. To have that connection… Rafe had to work to swallow past the lump in his throat.
Glover appeared in the doorway. “Sir, you have visitors.” Rafe hadn’t yet told him he was an earl. How did one announce that? “Lady Colton and Miss Pemberton.”
Rafe shot to his feet. Anne was here? “Bring them to the library, please.”
Glover inclined his head and departed.
Perhaps Anne could help him determine what to say to his employees. All of it felt so damned awkward—even having employees in the first place. But this was the life he’d aspired to have, to make his father, who would never know, proud. Had he somehow known his father was an earl? Was there something inside him that had driven him to Mayfair, to this life?
He went into the library and smoothed his hand over his hair and down the front of his coat. A moment later, Anne walked in along with her sister. Rafe barely saw Lady Colton as his gaze feasted on Anne. Dressed in a smart, moss-green walking costume, she was the epitome of grace and beauty. And her hair was even completely contained. That part was perhaps a trifle disappointing. He liked when her curls escaped.
They both curtsied. “My lord,” Anne said.
A sharp inhalation of breath drew Rafe to look toward Glover, who stood just inside the doorway. He stared at Rafe in question.
“Ah, I’ll explain later,” Rafe said to the butler. “Thank you.”
Glover bowed his head and left. Rafe looked to his guests. “I’m afraid I haven’t yet told anyone about my sudden ascension to the peerage.”
Anne’s brow furrowed. “You didn’t suddenly ascend. You’re simply newly aware.”
“No, he’s quite right,” Lady Colton said. “He isn’t currently the earl. He will be. Next week, probably.” She smiled at him. “Please forgive our intrusion. We came to discuss Spitfire business with you, as one of our primary supporters.”
Yes, he’d pledged a great deal of money to their endeavors, particularly because Selina was so heavily involved. She planned to start an orphanage that would ensure stable futures for the children who landed there, and it would be located in East London. Rafe could think of nothing more noble to do with the wealth he’d accumulated.
However, he doubted very much that the Spitfire Society was the purpose for their visit. “I see. How may I be of service?”
Anne came toward him. “That’s just a poppycock excuse.” He nearly laughed at her explanation. “I wanted to see you, and Jane was kind enough to offer to bring me.”
“If you wish to talk privately, I’d be delighted to peruse your library.” Lady Colton smiled at them, then promptly turned her back as she studied the bookshelves.
Rafe looked at Anne in question, and at her slight nod, he gestured for her to precede him to his study. When they arrived, she turned and walked past him to shut the door.
“Scandalous,” he murmured.
“Only if we’re caught, and we won’t be.”
“But your sister is in the library.”
“My sister brought me here.” Anne arched a pale brow at him. “And my sister nursed her husband back to health after he collapsed on her doorstep beat to ribbons. They were alone in her house for a week. She is not going to blink at my being alone with you behind a closed door. In fact, she is in support of it. She knows, as do I, that you need me.”
Rafe stifled a smile. “Do I?” He went to the sideboard where he kept wine and his favorite gin. “Would you care for a drink? So long as we’re not being scandalous.”
“No, thank you. But please help yourself.”
He poured himself a small glass of gin. Taking a sip, he went to the seating area situated in the center of the room. “Shall we sit?”
She went to the settee and perched on the edge, seeming as if she might not stay there. He considered whether he should join her there, but decided it would be more prudent if he took a chair. Distance between them was probably best.
Except she frowned as he moved toward the chair. “Will you sit with me?” she asked.
He should have anticipated that she would voice her desires. She had never been shy about doing so. He admired that about her.
Rafe sat on the settee against one of the high ends, bringing his knee up onto the cushion as he faced her. She scooted back, situating herself more squarely on the settee.
She pivoted toward him. “I wanted to hug you when I arrived.”
He was disappointed she didn’t. “You think I need comfort?”
“Don’t you? Yesterday has forever changed you.”
“Has it?”
Her eyes narrowed. “You are answering me with a great many questions today.”
He was. “My apologies. I am at sixes and sevens.”
She exhaled as she untied her bonnet and set it on the arm of the settee behind her. “Understandably so. I’ve been concerned.”
“Why?” He sipped his gin, enthralled by her care and, frankly, thrilled for the distraction.
She frowned at him. “You just said you were at sixes and sevens.”
“I am…overwhelmed. As evidenced by the fact that I haven’t even told my employees what happened. I suppose it doesn’t feel real to me yet.” And
