“We shall see in a few hours.”Pere flicked her wrist.“We need tea, don’t you agree?But let’s take it upstairs in my rooms.We can select my dress for this afternoon before you have to go back home to ready yourself for a very specific caller,” she said meaningfully.
“Agreed.”Anna stood and watched as Pere did the same.
Pere started through the door and glanced behind her to Anna.“And biscuits, don’t you thi—”
Henley’s hands braced his sister’s shoulders tightly to prevent her from running into him.Pere’s gasp barely preceded her immediately berating her brother.
“I did not see you there, Henley!Why must you sneak around like a ghost?”Pere smoothed her skirt and jerked out of her brother’s gentle hold.
Anna bit back a smile as she covered her lips with her gloved hand and watched the myriad of emotions flicker across Henley’s face.
Settling upon an irritatingly haughty expression, Henley asked with a stern tone, “I do believe you were the one about to run into me.And, I might add, that you were not even looking in the direction in which you were walking.So, in the situation, which one of us was the one not paying attention, Pere?”Henley’s hands slowly released his sister, and he cocked a dark eyebrow.
Pere narrowed her eyes and glanced back to Anna.“You are very fortunate you don’t have brothers.They can be utterly vexing at all times.”Turning back, she looked at her brother.“My sincerest apologies.”Her tone was anything but offering the sincerity promised.“We were on our way to my rooms to have tea and continue our conversation.I apologize for running into you but thank you for being so gentlemanly as to prevent it.”
Lady Anna’s amusement continued as she tried to school her expression.Removing her hand from covering her smile, she met the gaze of Henley.He bowed smartly and upon straightening his posture, he regarded her with a warmth that sent a cascade of sensations through her body.
Not knowing what to say, she settled for a simple, “My lord.”
Henley’s lips twisted into a half grin.“How fortunate of me to see you twice in just the past day.”
“Yes, I believe that is quite fortunate for you.It’s not yet decided to find out if it’s fortunate for me, however,” she added with a teasing twist, belatedly realizing she was possibly flirting.
Anna noticed that Pere’s gaze flickered between her and Henley just quickly enough for Anna to take note and adjust her own expression.
Henley’s voice drew her attention back to his face.“Well, I will not detain you ladies any further.I am glad that I have avoided bodily injury at the hands of my sister at least this one time.There will be others, I’m sure.”
Pere nodded and agreed.“Certainly, there will be other times when I will do bodily damage.I can guarantee that.But today you have escaped unscathed,” she replied airily, as if doing a great service to her sibling.“It is indeed your lucky day.”
Henley leaned forward slightly, as if imparting a secret.Though he was still several feet away from her, even the slow movement of him becoming closer sent another wave of emotion through her.
“You are indeed blessed that you do not have little sisters to contend with either, Lady Anna.For they are ferocious and mighty in their own right.”
At this, Pere smacked her brother’s arm, to which he gave a playful wince.
“Well, I guess today is not my lucky day for my sister is still assaulting me.And here I thought I escaped untouched.”
Pere shook her head once.“You would’ve escaped had you left when you should’ve.But instead, you’re sitting here talking and preventing us from leaving.So let it be a lesson to you to leave us alone.”
Henley nodded, bowed to his sister, and stepped aside.
Pere gave a final smirk to Anna and carried on down the hall.
Following her, Anna glanced over toward Henley as she started past him, only to pause when the dark chocolate of his eyes melted through her.Not the first time in the past twenty-four hours, she wondered anew what exactly her treacherous body was doing to her to give her such reactions to the wrong brother.
“It is entirely delightful to see you so soon after—” He stopped, not continuing his words.
Anna’s eyes narrowed.“So soon after what, my lord?”Not willing to back down from a challenge, even though she knew in that moment she should’ve gracefully walked away.
To have simply nodded and followed her friend upstairs, but there was something within her that rose up, daring him to finish his statement.No, he been bold, overly bold last night.He could continue to be bold and brave and say what he truly thought.Maybe it would help her alleviate all of these emotions within her.Let her see the truth and tell her heart to stop reacting in such a fanciful way.
Henley’s eyebrows rose, and he smiled a devastating and daringly handsome grin that transformed his features.Taking a slow breath, she steeled herself against the onslaught of the force of his smile.
“I do love that you refused to back down from a challenge, Lady Anna.”He paused, his attention lingering on her lips.“It is… enticingly delightful.I was merely going to say…” He lowered his voice quietly.“That you have been on my mind, and I’m very thankful to see you after thinking about you so incessantly, and what we shared.”
For a moment, she couldn’t think clearly.Gathering her wits, she stepped forward, just an inch or two, but enough to stand her own ground.“Well, I must say I thought quite a bit about you as well.However, I do believe they’re in very different veins of thought.I find I cannot categorize you nor can I rationalize your behavior.”
Henley’s eyebrows shot up, and he glanced around as if making sure they were alone.“Pere has gone upstairs clearly not concerned and the hallway is quite vacant.I do believe that we have a habit of finding secluded hallways, Lady Anna.Of which I am not averse to, however, you perhaps might have different feelings.Or have you not sorted out those feelings yet either?”he asked, his tone silken and low.
