Forcing her thoughts into neat little lines, she refused to notice the thrill of gooseflesh over her arms in reaction to his tone.“I have not sorted through any emotions.However, I do find a rising irritation toward you.And your arrogant nature toward me,” she finished, a swell of pride filling her at her direct words.
“Arrogant?And here I thought I was flirting.I must be out of practice,” Henley teased, a low chuckle settling in the air between them.
Lady Anna gave a slight shake of her head.“Yes, perhaps, but I do wish I would not be the recipient of such practice,” she continued, forcing the words that must be said.“It is… exceedingly confusing.And I also fear traitorous of my intentions toward another,” she said meaningfully, glancing down at her slippered feet, then studying the marble floor, unwilling to meet his direct stare that she could surely feel on her face.
Henley’s voice came low.“I’m aware of your intentions, Lady Anna.Rather the intentions of others toward you and your approval of those intentions.But I am not one to sit idly aside, as I think we have established, and I believe that a straightforward approach is honest.I would not disrespect you or act in such a dishonorable way as to give you anything less than the truth.So, with that, I will bid you good day, Lady Anna.May you have a lovely afternoon.And may you not suffer the consequences of my sister’s violence,” he added with a chuckle.
He reached out and grasped her hand, lifting it to his lips.He kissed the air above it, meeting her gaze.
“I bid you goodbye.”With a lingering touch, he released her hand, took a step back, and started down the hall.
Anna released the breath as she was holding and tried to calm her pounding heart.Not wanting to allow any more interlude, she turned quickly on her heel and all but ran up the stairs to Pere’s suite.
Chapter Six
Henley squeezed hishands as he walked away, the feeling and sensation of her hand in his—even for that fleeting moment—lingering with him.Henley knew his brother’s intentions; he had made them abundantly clear last night.But he could not stand lamely by and not try.Not when he knew what was at risk.Lady Anna’s heart would certainly be broken if given to his brother.Frustration waged war against anger within him as he considered his brother’s words from the night before.
Lady Devon had been overwhelmingly approving of the earl’s assumed suit of Lady Anna.Her title and her feminine charms were enough of an enticement to make a bound marriage.And knowing Lady Anna through his sister’s friendship, he knew a love match was what Lady Anna coveted above all other things.
“She is lovely to be sure, and a close friend of your sister.Love takes time, but I believe she’ll find her way into your heart soon enough,” their mother had stated, patting Edwin’s knee approvingly.
“She will know of my approval; that will be enough, will it not?And she will be the perfect countess.I must say this was a rather productive party—I didn’t even need to pay serious court.”
“But you will,” Lady Devon scolded quickly.“Lady Anna will have several suitors—”
“I’ll play the part, you needn’t worry.”He flicked a piece of lint from his coat.“I’m quite capable, Mother.Experienced, even.”
At this, their mother batted a gloved hand at him.“There will be no experience needed, my son.She’s not one of your other ladies.”
“Mother!I can’t believe you even said that.”
“I can,” Pere replied, then continued her study of the rain on the carriage window.
Their mother sighed.“Heathens, all of you.”
“You’re the one that mentioned—”
“Hush.Be respectable and don’t cause a scandal.”At this, Henley noted the way her back stiffened and she slid a glance in his direction.
The weight of last year’s scandal pressed on his chest, making it difficult to breathe.
He fought against the emotion and pasted an indifferent expression on his face.“There’s nothing to be concerned over.It will be a quick courtship, a proper wedding, and utterly boring, if you ask me.But that’s exactly what you want, is it not, Mother?Boring and proper?”
“Yes,” their mother clipped, then sighed.“The sooner, the better.Good news cancels out scandal quicker than anything else.”She added, “Thankfully, last year’s sordid tale hasn’t seemed to ruin your charm, Edwin.Thank heaven for small favors.”She flicked her wrist.
“Now that it’s settled, I’ll be taking my leave once we arrive.”
“So soon?”Henley asked, a tone of derision evident.
“You may enjoy the rigors of social pandering, but I have other activities in mind.”He tugged on his cravat slightly.
“I’ll pretend I hear nothing,” Lady Devon replied tersely.
“I thought you were about to be married, right and tight?Isn’t that this whole conversation’s subject matter?”
“And here is where your young inexperience is glaringly obvious, brother.For one has nothing to do with the other.”
“Again, I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Lady Devon said as she leaned against the soft cushion of the carriage and closed her eyes.
