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Letty flipped a shilling to her son. “Why don’t you run down the street and fetch some buns for breakfast?”
Robert caught the coin with ease and hurried out the door without even taking the time to pull on his coat.
Anne gazed at Letty. “I don’t suppose I could stay here for a while?” Maybe if she pleaded, she wouldn’t have to go back to Hawthorne House. Or her husband. Or his lover. Not yet.
The look in Letty’s eye could have cut glass. “You cannot allow your husband to push you from your home. It’s your house as muchas it is his. Don’t let the servants bow to him and disregard you. You should go back and live your life.”
“What elseismy life than my work as Hawthorne’s mouthpiece? I work hard for the dukedom, but solely on his behalf. If that’s all I am, then maybe I should give it up.” Her stomach twisted at the thought of failure, and she pulled her shawl closer around her for comfort.
“No one knows what goes on inside another’s marriage,” Letty said. “And no one will know what goes on inside your house.”
“Come with me,” Anne said suddenly. “Livewith me. For a few weeks, at least, while I grow accustomed to having my husband and his lover in residence.” She stared into Letty’s eyes. “Please.”
Excitement coursed through her. If she had her own lover in residence, then she could show Hawthorne that she didn’t care about what he did. Besides, Letty had such a calm presence. She could steady her through the indignity of living with her husband again. She wanted comfort, like the warm brick at nighttime.
Letty’s face was serious. “I am a captain’s daughter, the mother of an illegitimate son, and a working woman. I’m not the usual type to be a duchess’s guest.”
“You are so much more than that,” Anne said, swallowing hard. “You are changing my house, but I think you’re also starting to change my life. I have never had a…a friend like you. You are kind, and generous, and thoughtful. As well as an endlessly talented designer.”
“Oh, I am talented at many things,” Letty said, and the little quirk of her lips was back.
Anne laughed. “I know you are.”
“But I value my independence too much.”
Anne swallowed her embarrassment. She hadn’t expected rejection, and it hurt all the more for being delivered kindly. “Well then. I have a meeting this morning with the orphan’s committee,” she said, the lie springing to her lips. She tugged off Letty’s woolen socks and folded them before rummaging in the bedroom for her own bedraggled silk pair. “Could your servant please flag down a hackney so I could return to Hawthorne House?”
Letty rose. “I will do it.”
Anne flushed. “You are no servant.”
“I am your employee, am I not? Ready to serve, if not a servant in truth.” There was an unfamiliar bitterness in her tone, and her movements were jerky as she shoved her hat on her head and grabbed her walking stick. “Come then.”
Robert almost collided with her as he flung the door open, his arms full of a basket that smelled like heaven. Anne’s mouth watered. The scent of sugar and almonds and warm fruit jam was irresistible, and she cast a longing look at the basket.
Letty grabbed two pastries and wrapped them in a cloth. “Robert, I am going out.”
His eyes narrowed. “You weren’t scheduled to work today.” He cast an accusing glare at Anne.
“I am now,” she snapped. “Enjoy your buns.”
The door almost slammed in Anne’s face, and she struggled a moment with it before following Letty’s quick step down the stairs and into the street.
Letty, efficient as always, found a cab in a trice and hustled Anne into it. To her surprise, she leapt in after her. After sitting across from her, she thrust a bun at Anne. “Breakfast?”
Anne took the gruffly offered confection. She was confused by Letty’s presence in the cab with her, but grateful that she was there. She sighed in pleasure as she took a bite. Crisp flaky pastry, layers of sweet marzipan and raspberry filling, a dusting of sugar on top as fine as the snow on the ground. “This is perfect.”
Letty’s eyes were hungry as she watched her, even as she bit into her own breakfast. Anne felt a pleasant tingling low in her belly, which came as a surprise. She had never had so much sex in such a short period of time. With her previous liaisons, she had mapped out almost to the minute the appropriate length of time between intimacies, so as not to arise suspicion with neighbors or staff. A week would pass, or more, and the union itself was always fast and furtive.
But Letty without so much as a by-your-leave swooped in and gave her what she so badly needed, for as long as she needed it,almost before she could express to herself what she wanted. She had no idea that intimacies could be so liberating.
She watched Letty lick sugar from the corner of her mouth.
Oh, she wanted more. Much more.
“I didn’t think you would come with me,” she said at last, as they sped through the streets to Mayfair.
Letty shrugged. “I won’t move in with you. But I can be there for you if you want, for the day.”
