With a silent huff, she closed her book and belatedly remembered she’d forgotten to save the page.Giving the book a slight toss onto the settee beside her, she rose and took a turn about the room.Her gaze landed on the scene outside the window overlooking a corner of Mayfield near Hyde Park.The carriages rolled by gracefully, and suddenly the room was too small, too confining for her and all her thoughts and emotions.She needed air and maybe a distraction.No, certainly a distraction.With the millions of times she’d replayed last night’s events, she hadn’t made heads or tails of anything, so she wasn’t going to start making sense of it now.
She would visit Pere.It wasn’t quite time for suitors, far too early, so it would give them time to themselves without the risk of her brothers being nearby.Or at least one of them.No, Pere would be in her suite of rooms preparing for callers and giving them privacy to converse.It was perfect.Decision made, she rang for a maid and made the needed arrangements for a short walk down Mayfair.Quickly, she changed into a walking dress and met her maid at the door.
As soon as she left the confines of the house, her spirits lifted.Perhaps she was making more of it all than was necessary.Yet, as soon as she had the thought, she dismissed it.Wasn’t a kiss meaningful?Intentional?And heaven help her if anyone knew!She was quite certain it wasn’t known but any whisper of scandal would send her chances of securing Edwin’s affections into oblivion.
Even if it was his brother who had given said kiss.
Rather, kisses.
What had she been thinking?Allowing it?Kissing him back?She didn’t even know how to kiss, yet somehow, she’d acted on intuition.She’d never thought of a kiss as instinct.Stepping around an errant stone, she resisted the urge to kick it in her aggravation.Settling for a silent huff, she carried on toward the Allendale residence.
The rhythmic sound of the horses’ hooves and the carriage wheels on the cobbles unwound some of the tension in Anna’s shoulders.By the time she and her maid arrived at the Allendale residence, she started to consider that she might have read into the situation more than needed.The butler answered the door before she even reached the top step, greeting her warmly and ushering her into one of the various parlors where she’d wait on Pere.It was common enough for her to visit that most of the staff were familiar with her presence, and it lent an additional peace to the situation.The known was ever so much more preferable to the unknown.
Not five minutes had passed before Pere entered the room with a flourish of smiles.“I was just thinking of paying a visit toyou!”
Lady Anna walked toward her friend.“Then we are of the same mind.”She grasped her friend’s hand and led them to a settee.“Now, tell me everything I don’t know!”
Pere’s eyes narrowed.“About the ball that was intended to be my come-out that my brother all but overtook.”She sighed and leaned back into the cushions.“Do not mention to my mother regarding my posture.I’ve earned it.But”—she rose and straightened her spine—“I do believe, that in spite of my brother’s best efforts to completely overshadow me, I will have a few suitors call today.”She twisted her lips.
“A few,” Lady Anna replied with a hint of sarcasm.“I’ll admit, the tittle-tattle was all surrounding your brother… but that was only for the ladies.You were certainly the whispered name on every gentleman’s lips, and that’s what is important.”She patted her friend’s hand and then continued.“Was there any particular gentleman you hope will visit today?”
At this question, Pere grinned mischievously.“It would be easier to say whom I donotwish to show up!”
Lady Anna giggled.“There’s nothing wrong with qualityandquantity.”
Pere shook her head, her smile fading slightly.“And an astonishing number of gentlemen showing up to pay me court will be remarkably valuable in proving myself to my mother.Do you know, she didn’t even try to talk Edwin out of his impulsive plans?She encouraged it!”Pere added, huffing the last words.
Lady Anna bit the inside of her lip.She wasn’t sure how to proceed so that she was not being disingenuous regarding her own emotions but still sensitive to her friend’s feelings.
“It’s possible she didn’t think his declaration would interfere with your come-out ball,” she tried.
“Even Henley knew it was a selfish plan,” Pere grumbled.
“Lord Allendale, your second eldest brother?”Lady Anna asked to clarify.
“Yes.”Pere sighed.“Bless him, he was the only one in the room thinking clearly, aside from me, of course.”
“What do you mean?”Lady Anna absently smoothed her skirt, listening intently yet cursing herself for the interest in the family’s intimate dynamics.
“Well, my mother was giving all her attention to me since it was the day of the ball, and I was horribly worried that my brother Edwin wouldn’t arrive on time and would cause a scene.How difficult is it to be on time?”She tossed her hands in a frustrated gesture.“And heaven knows what he was doing the night befor—” Pere sucked in a breath and didn’t finish her words.“Never mind, regardless, when he arrived, on time mind you, and gave his flourishing announcement, my mother was thrilled.Henley tried to reason with her, but she never listens to him.”She gave one more dramatic sigh.“Even though he’s usually right, but I’ll go to my grave before I’ll ever admit that to him.”
Lady Anna gave a slight grin in response.“Well, it was good of the viscount to champion you, but I do believe you are just as successful of a diamond of the first water with or without the earl’s announcement.”
“You’re a true friend, Lady Anna.”Pere patted her hand.“Now, I saw you danced with my brother… well, brothers, yesterday.And I happen to know that it was talked about…” She let the words linger off as she raised an eyebrow.
Anna’s heart pounded as she asked, “In what way was it talked about?”Certainly, Lord Allendale didn’t disclose their moments in the hallway.Would he?
“My brother, the earl, mentioned something to my mother, only after she asked quite pointedly.And I do believe that you will be receiving a caller this afternoon.And don’t play coy with me, Anna.I know you.You’re beside yourself with elation over the prospect.”Pere smirked.“My eldest brother is a menace, but he is charming in his own right, and I do not object to his attentions in your direction.In fact, I’m quite shocked he has such good taste.”She giggled.“Now, what is your response to all this?”She straightened her posture and watched with an expectant gaze, her eyes wide with anticipation.
Lady Anna bit her lower lip to keep it from spreading into a wide grin.“I can keep no secrets from you, Pere.”At least not many, she corrected herself mentally.“And so, yes, it gives me great hope that he may indeed come call this afternoon.Though I am already impatient and frustrated with the waiting.”She chuckled to herself.“As is the charm of my impatient nature.”Then relaxing, Anna sighed.“Pere, I’ve waited so long for him to finally see me as more than just your friend and now that I have this chance, I…” Words eluded her, and she looked to her friend for help.
“You’re terrified and thrilled.”
“Yes, that.All that.Plus a million other things,” Anna replied.
“Now.”Pere patted her friend’s arm.“IfIcan just find a gentleman… we can call this season a complete success.”
“I highly doubt that will be problematic; your greatest obstacle is findingoneout of the many interested suitors.”
