What You Propose (Anything for Love 2)

Anna spotted the woman coming out of the chapter house. "Selene."

"Oui, madame?"

"Do you happen to know of something I can take to settle my stomach?" The mere thought of a remedy caused another sharp pang, and she rubbed the area with her palm. "I don't think ale agrees with me."

Selene frowned. "Is there a headache, a sickness or fever?" She put her hand out to touch Anna's forehead but left it hanging in the air until Anna nodded to give her consent. "You feel hot. I shall go and fetch a tonic."

Anna gave a sigh of relief. "Is Mr. Danbury feeling well?" she said gesturing to the closed door. They had shared the same meal, drunk the same ale.

"Oh, he is not here. He asked me to tidy the room."

"Did he say where he was going?" Anna wondered if his absence had anything to do with their argument last night.

"Non, madame. He left over an hour ago."

Anna sighed as she touched her fingers to her temple, the pressure going some way to relieve the pounding. "I'll take a tonic, and then I think I'll go for a walk. Do you need anything from the village? I have a few errands to run." Finding somewhere else to stay was her priority.

Selene shook her head. "Mr. Danbury says you are not to go out on your own. And you are not well, I fear."

When she spoke to Marcus, she would do so as his equal. Playing the distressed damsel did not sit well with her. She would find alternative lodgings even if she had to crawl to the village on her hands and knees through a muddy swamp.

"The air will do me good. And I will be safe enough if I ride."

"Non, madame." Selene looked horrified. "I will take the cart and come with you. There are things I need, so it will not be a wasted journey."

Anna gave the woman a warm smile. "Thank you, Selene."

"I will bring the tonic to your room and meet you in the courtyard in twenty minutes."

"I'll just get my cape."

Anna went into the chapter house and found her cape draped over the chair. Everything about the room reminded her of Marcus. A musky masculine scent hung in the air, the potent smell rousing memories of his bronze skin and muscular chest. She could almost hear his rich drawl, the sweet curses that fell from his lips as he moved inside her.

As she scanned the room, she realised she would miss being at the monastery with him. She would miss watching him eat and sleep, miss the seductive smile that promised a wealth of pleasure at his hands.

Why did life always bring such bitter disappointment?

Her gaze fell to the ink pot on his desk. On her return from the village, she would sit and write to Miss Beaufort. She would apologise; she would explain the circumstances surrounding Marcus Danbury's betrayal.

Anna was still standing in quiet contemplation when Selene walked past carrying a tray.

"I'm in here, Selene."

She stopped and came into the room. Her gaze fell to the cape over Anna's arm, and she caught a brief flash of disapproval in the woman's dark brown eyes. "Here, you must drink this," she said balancing the tray on the edge of the desk. "It is valerian tea. It is known to help with stomach spasms."

"If it works, I shall be forever in your debt." Anna offered a chuckle in an attempt to distract from the pain. Although after the success with the balm, she was confident in the woman's abilities.

The rich amber liquid smelt of pine and a sticky sort of sweetness Anna couldn't quite place. After taking a sip of the slightly cloudy drink, she decided she could definitely note pine, and sandalwood, and perhaps clove. Overall, it tasted unpleasant, so she swallowed it down quickly, took a large spoonful of Selene's tonic to cleanse her palate.

"Oh, you can always tell when something is medicinal by the revolting taste." Anna blinked and shook her head vigorously as the liquid trickled down her throat.

"The tea can be bitter, but it will help with the pain." Selene picked up the tray. "I'll take this to the kitchen and then go and get the cart. I do not want Andre to see me, as he will demand to go in my place."

Anna was tired of men thinking they had a right to take control of every situation. "Well, I won't tell him. I can wait down by the gate if it helps?"

Selene smiled. "Yes. I will meet you there in twenty minutes."

Stuffing the notes down between her chemise and stays, and grabbing the few French francs she had, Anna wrapped her cape around her shoulders and hurried down to the gate. She wanted to be gone before Marcus returned. Come the evening she would have a new place to stay. The freedom that came with independence would empower her to take a more logical view of her relationship with him. And when she came back for the rest of her things, she'd have the strength she needed to talk.