Henley paused.“Did you think she’d find a suitor the first night and announce the banns the next day?”
Edwin blinked.“When you state it that way, I suppose not.But, well, I suppose she takes some getting used to.Never mind.”
“I usually don’t,” Henley muttered under his breath.“I’ll see you at dinner.”
Edwin waved him off and leaned back, closing his eyes.
Henley took the stairs toward his rooms, his mind churning over Edwin’s words.His points were valid, and it was also certain that Edwin wasn’t expecting to remain faithful to his wife when he married her, which was another cause for alarm.Pere would kill her husband in his sleep if she found him unfaithful.He couldn’t imagine that Anna would be any different.But the hurt that accompanied such betrayal was beyond what he wished on anyone.
It was a miracle Edwin hadn’t produced a by-blow at this point on the wrong side of the blanket.It was only a matter of time.Or maybe he skipped that lesson in anatomy.
Regardless, Henley had no ally in his endeavor to win Anna’s affections.Not even Anna.
But that wasn’t reason enough to give up.
Rather, this would be his fight.He would either win—or go down swinging.
Chapter Fifteen
As the carriageapproached the enormous manor on the outskirts of Bath, Anna took a breath of awe.The gentle hills leading up to the estate were lush and vibrant from the spring rains, but the loveliest aspect was the air itself.The briny essence of the ocean clung to each breath, a constant reminder that the sea was near.
Their carriage was part of a steady stream of arrivals, each taking their time to disembark and settle into their rooms.The staff bustled about as Anna followed a servant down the hall toward the grand staircase, likely leading to the second floor where the guest rooms were.Maids carried heavy trays laden with tea to nearby parlors, while footmen opened doors and bowed respectfully to her family as they passed.
It wasn’t long before she was settled in a lovely room facing the back of the estate.Her window framed a rocky hill dotted with trees, and beyond, the sea shimmered in the distance.
“Anna?”Pere’s voice distracted her from the view.
Anna turned, smiling at her friend.Pere weaved around a footman carrying a trunk and nodded to a maid laying out a dress.
As she neared, she grasped Anna’s hands.“I’m so glad you’ve arrived!I’ve been waiting.Come, let’s go to my rooms and leave all this bustle behind.”She gestured toward the activity and tugged Anna toward the door.
Releasing her hand as they entered the hall, Pere led the way down another corridor.
“I wanted you nearby, close to the family wing.Have you seen all the guests?It’s madness downstairs!It’s been ages since we hosted a house party!”Pere’s enthusiastic tone echoed in the grand hallway.“And my mother said every bachelor she invited accepted!That has to be in my favor, right?”She giggled.
“I’d think so!How many families did your mother invite?”Anna asked as Pere opened a door along the hall.
“These are my rooms.Unfortunately, I’m across the hall from Henley, but he’s the quieter one, so I don’t mind as much.”She nodded toward a door farther down the hall.“Come in!I already requested tea, so we won’t have to share the parlor downstairs.”She led Anna into a small antechamber before opening another door into a petite parlor.
“I rather expected you’d want to be in the middle of all the suitors,” Anna said, picking up a biscuit and taking a bite.
“I want to make an entrance at dinner.Everyone’s exhausted from travel; I’ll give them a few hours’ rest before they start working for my attention.”
“How magnanimous.”
“I thought so!”Pere poured two cups of tea and handed one to Anna.“Now, we haven’t talked since last week—do you even know who was invited?”Her eyes twinkled as she sipped her tea and settled into a chair.
Anna took the seat across from her and shook her head.“No, I want every name!Continue.”
“Well,” Pere began, setting her cup down and leaning forward, her expression wide with delight.“Mother asked me who I wished to attend, then added a few names herself.In all, there are eight very eligible bachelors.Let’s see—Lord Farthingham, Lord Dawson, Mr.Wrenwright, Mr.Drakewood.”She ticked names off her fingers, then gasped.“Oh!And I cannot fathom this—Mother invited Lord Hawthorne!”
Anna tilted her head.“Pardon?The Earl of Hawthorne?There’s only one Hawthorne we know of, isn’t there?”
“Yes.”Pere nodded emphatically.“Only one, thank God.We don’t need two.”
“Agreed.Why in heaven’s name did your mother invite him, of all people?That doesn’t make sense!”
“I asked her the same.And her answer was odd.”
