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    â€œHere, this will do,” Lizzy said. “Would you like a bath after dinner?”
    â€œNo, I won’t have time.” Anna stepped out of her traveling clothes. “I’ll leave the drawing room soon as possible after tea is served and change to meet Kev. Send a message to him to meet me in the grove by the cliffs.”
    â€œYes, miss. I’ll do it as soon as you’re dressed.”
    Twenty minutes later, Anna walked down to the drawing room, the last to arrive.
    â€œWell, my sweet girl,” Sir William Marsh said, giving Anna a kiss. “I’m glad you’re home.”
    She warmly returned her father’s embrace. He was a little taller than medium height with dark hair in which only a bit of silver showed. He smiled down at her, and she could see the blue of her eyes reflected in his. He’d dressed fashionably in knee breeches and a well-fitting black coat, as if he didn’t spend most of his time in Kent these days.
    â€œI missed you, Papa. I’m glad to be home.” Anna turned toward her paternal aunt, whom Anna greatly resembled, gowned in rich brown silk trimmed with cream lace, and embraced her. “Aunt Lillian, I’m so glad you’re still here. Why can’t you ever come before I leave for the Season?”
    â€œMaybe next year,” Lillian said. “I am very happy to see you, my dear. You look lovely. Are you well?”
    Anna smiled. “Yes, I am and so glad to be home.”
    Lillian’s brows drew together, questioning.
    â€œNot now, please. I’ll tell you all about it later.” Her aunt would want to hear about Anna’s mother. “Rutherford, you remember Lady Tully?”
    â€œYes, of course, my lady.” He bowed. “How have you been?”
    â€œVery well thank you, my lord.”
    Ledster announced dinner. Rutherford offered his arm to Anna. “Please allow me.”
    She placed her hand on his arm. “Thank you.”
    They sat informally at the dinner table with Lillian on one side of Anna’s father and Anna on the other. Rutherford took a place next to Anna. She glanced at him, and his well-molded lips curved up. He was so close, heat radiated from him to her.
    Until two years ago, when Harry died, her father had represented the area in the House of Commons. Then news of her brother’s death had come. After that, Papa was unable to concentrate on anything and gave up his seat. The talk, naturally, turned to the latest legislative session.
    â€œI have to tell you, Rutherford, I’m not at all pleased with the job Mr. Cloverly is doing representing us.”
    â€œI agree about Cloverly,” Anna said. “He’s very old-fashioned, and the party needs new ideas.”
    Rutherford raised a brow. “Indeed?”
    Anna raised one of hers in response. “In this modern age, we need more advanced thinkers.”
    Her father chuckled. “Anna would run if she could. Though she’d be likely to represent the Radicals.”
    Now was her opportunity to show Rutherford they’d not suit. Anna turned to him. “At least they support school for all children and universal suffrage. If all large landowners established schools and encouraged their dependents to attend, it would make a start to education for all.”
    Sebastian’s brow furrowed. “Though I support the underling sympathies, I think them unrealistic at the present time. Too many of the peerage are afraid of the same type of uprising as occurred in France.”
    â€œI find that thinking runs counter to good sense. If the French peasants had been provided more opportunities, they might not have rebelled. Though one cannot discount the stupidity of their king.”
    Sebastian laughed. “We have nothing to be proud of in this country.”
    â€œYou’ve just taken your seat in the Lords,” Anna said. “How will you vote?”
    His steady gray gaze regarded her for a moment.