"No," she remarked casually. "Your skin has a bronze glow to it. The faint lines at the corners of your eyes suggest time spent squinting from the sun."
"What, so now I dress like a beggar and have the face of a man in his dotage. You are brimming with compliments, Miss Sinclair."
He had the face of a pirate plundering the high seas: fearsome and determined with a courag
eous charm. "You have the face of a man who is not frightened to work for what he wants."
A smile touched the corners of his mouth, and he inclined his head. "Then I withdraw my objection and pay homage to your insight and skills of observation."
Ah, another little clue he had unwittingly revealed.
He was proud of his work and wanted others to recognise the achievement. Any ordinary man would not think it worth the mention. Mr. Danbury's lineage must surely embrace at least one member of the aristocracy. Perhaps he had an estranged relative who despised how he lived here.
"Having a keen observation has been key to my survival," she replied, dismissing the grotesque vision of Victor filling her head. Whilst at the monastery she should try to stop being so suspicious of people's motives. She should not be so quick to strip back each word or comment; she should not be so quick to judge.
Aware of Mr. Danbury's curious gaze, she wandered over to the well and peered inside. A ray of light reflected off the water far below. "Hello!" The word echoed and she couldn't help but chuckle. It had been a long time since she'd been free enough to express such a simple thing as joy.
"One of the servants will assist you should you need to draw water," Mr. Danbury said as though she lacked the skills necessary to lift a bucket.
Anna swung around to face him. He was standing with his arms folded across his chest. "We had a well in the village at home," she said calmly. "Once, I overheard someone say that a highway robber had hidden his loot at the bottom before racing off across the green. It was just a tale, but I would often raise the bucket in the hope of finding treasure."
"You grew up in the country?" He seemed surprised.
"I did," she replied but had no intention of revealing anything more. "Shall we continue with the tour?"
He nodded and strode off along the path.
"We eat in the refectory," he said leading her into a room long enough to seat a hundred men. "There is no formality when it comes to dining. Sometimes the servants sit with us. Sometimes I eat in the chapter house. You may do whatever you please."
Anna sighed. "Whatever I please or whatever pleases me?"
He gave an impatient wave. "Are they not the same?"
"No. But never mind."
They continued in silence. After a brief glance at the parlour, the reredorter: a room for washing and seeing to one's toilette, they continued to the upper floor.
"There are no fireplaces up here, and it can get cold at night. I've converted the old dormitory into small rooms. It helps minimise the draughts." He stopped outside an oak door, one of a handful situated along the corridor, his hand gripping the handle. "You may use this room for the duration of your stay. It is basic but should be adequate for your needs."
Anna waited for him to open the door but he seemed hesitant.
"Are we to go inside?"
"Of course." He shook his head, opened the door and gestured for her to enter.
Anna felt a sudden flutter in her chest at the wonderful sight before her. The exposed stone of the exterior wall had a golden hue. Accompanied by the pale yellow drapes, the room felt warm and welcoming. The wrought-iron bed called out to her aching limbs, and she couldn't wait to snuggle into it and let the strain of the last few days melt away.
"I'm afraid there's no mirror—"
"I won't need one," she interjected.
"There are more blankets in the chest if you're cold and the brazier at the end of the hall can be brought in if needed. However, I ask you not to fall asleep whilst it's lit."
As a girl, she would have thrown her arms around him to express her gratitude. As a woman with a hardened heart, she merely smiled.
"Thank you, Mr. Danbury. The room is more than adequate." She noticed the candlestick on the side table. In London, it would be dawn before she crawled into bed. Here, she would have to find something to occupy her mind at night. "Would you happen to have any books I may borrow?"
He narrowed his gaze. "You are free to look over my personal library and take anything that interests you. Come down to the chapter house when you've settled in. As you leave the chapel, it is the first room on the left."