Anna twisted her lips.“I… am afraid…”
Pere leaned forward more.“Of?”
“Falling in love with the wrong person,” Anna confessed, glanced down, and then when Pere didn’t answer, she hazarded a look up.
Pere blinked.“I… don’t understand.I suppose we all are afraid of that, Anna.That’s why we court, why we make good alliances… and that’s not a problem with my family I’m sure you know—”
“No.”Anna held her hand up, halting her friend who had totally misunderstood her confession.“I… I think I’m falling in love with the wrong person… or the right person?I don’t know… that’s the problem.I don’t know and I haven’t been honest with you, well, I mean I have but I… don’t think I’ve been honest with… myself.”Anna spoke the words sporadically, her confession disjointed and hectic.
“You… don’t love Edwin?Are you sure?I mean he’s all you’ve ever talked about!”
“I know!”Anna stood, unable to keep still.“I know, and that’s what’s so bloody confusing.”She covered her mouth at the unladylike word.
“I’ve never heard you swear.Okay, this is serious.Who… who is it, then?I mean, if it you’re thinking you’re falling in love with the wrong person… dear Lord.Is it a footman!”Pere gasped, covering her mouth with her hand as she shot up from her chair.“Have you been dallying with a servant?”Pere whispered then glanced around the room.
Anna sighed heavily.“No!To both.He’s of the proper family and rank…” She sunk back down into the chair.“The family part is the problem.”
Pere sank into the chair as well, sitting quite unladylike as she released a sigh of relief.“You have me terrified.Okay, so, what’s the problem?I mean, yes, my mother and your mother have been scheming, but I’m sure your mother would not be offended if it’s a proper gentleman that has stolen your affections, if it’s a good match, it’s a good match.”Pere shrugged and adjusted her posture.
“You’re never going to believe this…” Anna gave a self-depreciating laugh.“It’s still the same family.”
Pere froze, her eyes wide.“Wait.No… I didn’t see that coming.”She leaned back, expression baffled but not angry.“Yes, I can see how that would be… complicated.”She exhaled.“Wow.Um, when?So many questions.When did Henley of all people get checkmate over Edwin?I never thought…” She shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips.“He is my favorite, after all.”
“He tends to have that effect,” Anna replied dryly.“And… he started it.”
“I’m even more intrigued.Carry on.”
“At your come-out ball.He…” She began to laugh.“He scolded me for being alone with your elder brother in the hall and sent your brother to find your mother… which now I’m wondering if it was a red herring.”She shook her head.“And then promptly scolded me further and kissed me.But you may never tell a living soul.”
Pere’s brows shot up.“He scolded you for being alone with a gentleman, then took advantage of you being alone with him… diabolical.Maybe he does take after Mother in some fashion after all.Okay, and…”
“And I didn’t shove him away.I was shocked—it was unexpected—but he implied that Edwin wasn’t the only one vying for my affection… and he intended to as well.”
“So… both my brothers have been fighting over you since the beginning of the season, and you didn’t tell me?”Pere said flatly.“You have no idea how much this explains.Does Edwin know?”
“I’m not sure.I think… yes.At least he suspects.”
“And Edwin—has he kissed you?”
“No.”
“But Henley has.Once?”
Anna’s blush answered for her.
“Oh, not once.My, my.Henley’s been rather busy.I’m proud of him.He knows which battles to pick, and apparently—you were worth fighting for.That says more than you realize.”Pere’s tone softened.“Has he spoken of his regard?”
“I told him, right from the start—my heart belonged elsewhere.”
“And that didn’t stop him at all, did it?”
“No.If anything… I think that was part of the reason he stayed.”
“Persistence—it’s its own kind of persuasion.”
“Yes.And heseesme, Pere.Really sees me.”Anna took a deep breath.“He’ll catch my eye, and we’ll be noticing the same thing about a random person in the room and share a smile.He doesn’t back down, but is clear on what he’s thinking, what he’s after… it’s refreshing, and it’s clear he desires me but also never pressures me.It’s an odd dichotomy but it leaves me feeling important, like he’d choose me over himself.”
“And Edwin…” Pere asked.
