A woman’s giggle preceded a shadow moving toward the servants’ entrance they’d used earlier.The sound struck Henley as familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it.He committed the voice to memory, but his attention quickly returned to Anna.
“I’ll see you in the morning.”
A man’s silhouette leaned in and kissed the waiting woman—long and slow—before turning to leave.
“Tomorrow,” she whispered in reply.
Henley met Anna’s gaze as the servants’ door creaked shut behind them.Holding up a finger, he signaled her to wait.He glanced up and saw the man meandering toward the garden, likely delaying his return to the house to avoid suspicion in case anyone else was awake.
“Come,” Henley said, grabbing Anna’s hand and keeping his body low.He led them from the benches, around the hedgerow, and toward the back of the garden.
“Is he behind us?”Anna whispered, following closely, her hand firmly tucked in his.
“He would have been if we hadn’t moved.Let’s go a bit farther and then I’ll check.There’s a tall hedge ahead—we can wait there.”
Then a sound stopped him—a soft giggle.
Anna was laughing.
“I can’t believe this,” she said with a snort, covering her mouth.
“Don’t,” Henley said, gently tugging her hand.“Let me enjoy the laughter.”
She nodded, still giggling softly.
They rounded the taller hedge, its silhouette black in the moonlight, and Henley finally stood straight.Anna didn’t let go of his hand.
Amusement danced in her eyes as she faced him.“You know, I’ve never done anything like this before.When you asked if I was feeling brave, this isn’t what I had in mind!”
Henley chuckled.“Nor I!But it was rather adventurous, don’t you think?And that laugh—it sounded familiar.Or do I want to know?”
“I recognized the laugh, but not the gentleman’s voice.Did you?”
He nodded.“I did.I’ll tell you if you tell me…” He arched a brow.“But wait—let me check if our hiding place is still secure.”
Reluctantly, he let go of her hand and moved to peer around the hedge.
The man—whose voice he immediately recognized—was rocking on his heels near the bench they’d vacated.
“Good thing we left,” Henley said as he returned to her.“He’s standing right where we were.”
“Good Lord, that would’ve been… problematic.”She bit her lower lip.
“He would have kept silent—he has his own secrets to guard, wouldn’t you agree?”
Anna tilted her head, lips twisted in thought.“I never considered it, but yes.That’s true.Now, who is it?”
“The gentleman?”he teased.
“No, the man in the moon.Yes, the gentleman.”She swatted his arm.
Henley delighted in her playfulness.He slid his arm around her waist and gently pulled her a few steps closer.Her eyes widened but she didn’t resist.
“Well then, who was the lady?”he asked, twirling a curl near her temple.
“I’m honestly shocked you didn’t recognize her laugh.It’s Lady Markberg.She was widowed last year—and she’s a… contemporary of your mother’s.”
“That’s why I knew the laugh!”Henley shook his head.“Yes, Mother invited her to be among friends.Apparently, she’s of themerrywidow variety.I didn’t know.”
