Besides, wasn’t she the one who had told him to cancel the honeymoon he’d been planning? Her soft mouth tightened because she refused to give way to the feeling that he had abandoned her. After all, she wasn’t a child and she might be in a strange environment, but she would soon get used to it. She would manage fine without him. By the looks of it, she didn’t have much choice.
Juliet chatted all the way downstairs about where they were going to go shopping, while Anna scanned her lavish surroundings with all the apprehension of an ordinary person suddenly waking up to find themselves lost in a royal palace. But the instant her insecurity was ready to rise, she crushed it flat and refused to acknowledge those feelings. Haerton castle was going to be her home, no matter how short it was going to last, and the last thing she wanted was to be a duchess who lacked self-esteem.
He’d left a card for her to shop with so he clearly wanted her to use it. She had no idea what kind of party they’d be attending when he came back home, but at least she had Juliet around to help her pick the right things. There was no need to worry as long as she stuck to her role and didn’t get carried away by how he made her feel. The earlier he got back, the sooner they could start trying for a baby, and the earlier she gave him a son, the sooner she could leave and carry on with her life.
___________
Cedric was nothing but shocked when he arrived at Haerton two days later only to be told that Anna had left the castle with the driver that evening, and had gone to God knows where.
He’d even been more surprised to find himself looking forward to return to Haerton thesepast few days. This place he hated, still did by the way, but at least he could admit to himself that there was only one reason he was looking forward to going back. Anna… He wanted to see her again. It had been a bit frustrating to keep his word on their wedding night. Cedric had retired to his own room that night, only to lie awake in bed for hours, knowing that Anna, his wife was in the next room and all that separated them from each other was that damn connecting door.
He’d kept his word to give her time, but when Bonnie had called very early the next morning to inform him of the client who wanted to meet with him, he’d taken the opportunity to leave. The client could have waited, but he needed the distraction, and he figured that maybe when he returned, Anna might have changed her mind about her reluctance to share his bed.
Clearly he was wrong, he thought grimly as he started to call his driver so he could ask about their whereabouts. He contemplated calling Anna first, but he knew her well enough to know that she wouldn’t tell him where she was if she didn’t want him to know. She’d obviously taken advantage of his absence to do whatever the hell she was out doing that evening. Was that why she’d refused to go to France with him on their honeymoon? What, or who was so important that she had to leave? The thought of her in another man’s arms made his blood boil. Yes, their marriage was in name only, and they’d agreed to live their own lives, but wasn’t it too early for this? And weren’t they supposed to be discreet about it?
Cedric knew he was probably overreacting but he didn’t care, and as soon as his driver texted him their location, he was back in his car, still dressed in the suit and tie he’d arrived home in, driving to the cafe.
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“How the hell you went from working here, to marrying Cedric Blackwood, is something I’ll never understand,” Sara said, her eyes twinkling as she poured Anna and Collins another drink. “To say you’re lucky is an understatement,”
Anna managed a smile at her friends. She couldn’t quite explain it herself, as she was still trying to get used to the whole thing, and her husband’s absence wasn’t helping. She also couldn’t tell them that her marriage to the Duke was a charade, nothing close to love, and she was just there as nothing but his baby making machine. It was sad to think about sometimes, and when she felt that way, she cheered herself up with thoughts of what she’d gain from it, but today even those thoughts weren’t helping very much.
“Speaking of the Duke, aren’t you guys supposed to be on your honeymoon?” Sara continued, totally oblivious to Anna’s feelings, “You were married days ago. I honestly thought it was going to be weeks before we saw you again. Isn’t this supposed to be the time couples spend together… away from everyone else. I, for one, wouldn’t mind being alone somewhere with a man as handsome as Cedric Blackwood,”
Anna leaned against the bar counter and took a sip of her drink, looking totally absent minded, “Can we not talk about the Duke or my marriage tonight, Sara?” she pleaded. “I’ll be thrilled to talk about anything else but that,”
Both Sara and Collins looked surprised at her odd request, but thankfully Sara took a hint, and then she went on to serve other customers leaving Anna seated with Collins.
Collins was a few years older than Anna and Sara. Collins and Anna had been friends since high school and now he worked for an advertising company, although he still came to the cafe while she worked so they could chat. It was during one of those visits that Anna had introduced him to Sara, but now Anna suspected that seeing Sara was one of the reasons for his frequent visits, although Sara seemed oblivious to the fact that Collins was interested in her.
Now, as Anna sat on the other side of the counter with him, she found herself wondering if she was really cut out for the life she’d chosen with the Duke.
Her mood didn’t go unnoticed by Collins and he placed his hand against hers on the counter. “I can’t help but notice that you’re not in a very good mood,” he told her.