The Headstrong Ward by Jane Ashford Page B

amethysts and silver, and though her toilette could not impart classical beauty to her features or make her any less tall and slender, it was so enchanting that these flaws seemed to fade, leaving only the impression of glorious hair and eyes in a cloud of color.
    â€œWhew!” exclaimed Edward.
    â€œYou look lovely, Anne,” said Laurence.
    She turned to look at Charles. For some reason, his opinion seemed more important than the others’.
    â€œA stunning outfit,” he responded with a nod.
    â€œYou’ll break hearts tonight,” added Edward. “Upon my soul, Anne, who would have thought you would turn out so elegant, after the way you used to race about the fields covered with mud and—”
    â€œTactful as ever, Edward,” interrupted Lord Wrenley dryly.
    â€œI’m sure it is a surprise,” answered Anne. “I would be surprised myself, if I were not all in a quake over meeting so many strangers tonight.”
    â€œYou?” Edward laughed. “You’re roasting us. You’ve never been afraid of anything in your life.”
    â€œI assure you I have. But never as much as this. Do you really think I will do?”
    â€œMore than that,” Laurence promised. “You will outshine them all.”
    â€œCome now, Anne,” said Captain Debenham, “you don’t mean to say that you are really nervy? Why, the girl who used to throw her heart over every fence as if it were nothing should snap her fingers at a mere evening party.”
    â€œUnless the reason for that throwing was that she was quaking in her boots.” Anne laughed. She noticed Charles gazing at her with peculiar intensity. Probably he despised her for her fear. “But I shall do it again tonight. The ton cannot be any more frightening than the ditched hedge behind the squire’s barn.”
    â€œIt’s a deal less so,” answered Edward feelingly. “And when I recall how you took that jump on Dumpling—Dumpling!”
    â€œAnd fell!”
    â€œYes, the first time. And the second. But you made it on the third try, by God. I don’t think I’ve ever admired anything more than that last go.”
    Anne looked at him in surprise as Mariah entered the room.
    â€œThat was extremely dangerous,” put in Laurence. “You should have stopped her, Edward.”
    â€œI? Stopped her? A Guards regiment might have done so; I could not.”
    â€œWell, I have learned something since then.” Anne laughed. “If you tried to stop me from going to this event tonight, I should agree at once.”
    â€œYou haven’t begun refusing your jumps!” exclaimed Edward.
    â€œAlas, I may.”
    â€œNever!”
    Anne laughed again. “Well, I shall go. But you must all help me over.”
    â€œThat is our intention,” replied Charles, in so serious a tone that the others all looked at him. He was a little surprised himself at his reaction to this new side of Anne. He had never thought her capable of such sensitivity, and seeing it now was something of a shock, for it suggested that he might have been mistaken about other facets of her character. Fleetingly he recalled her passionate pleas not to be sent to school. He had dismissed them as merely more evidence of her stubborn intractability and refusal of any guidance. Might he have been wrong? He shook off the thought impatiently. The school had done Anne a world of good.
    â€œDinner is served,” said Fallow from the doorway. The viscount offered his arm, and Anne took it, gazing up at him curiously. The others followed them into the dining room, and the Debenhams sat down to a family meal with more cordiality than they had shown one another in years.
    Two hours later, Anne stood in the center of an admiring circle of Guards officers, recounting another equestrian anecdote. “And so when Edward’s horse wouldn’t take the five-barred gate, it was really too much. He put