“You’re correct, of course.How should I start?You know your brother well…”
Pere gave a huff.“He might be my brother, but I claim no special understanding of him.He confuses me as much as the next person.But…” Pere glanced down to her shoes and back to Anna, meeting her gaze directly.“I assure you that what will take the most damage is his pride, so do your best to soothe that.Only because it will go smoother for you.He’s rather accustomed to getting his way; this will be quite shocking for him.And I must wickedly admit, part of me is happy over that.”
“Pere!”Anna scolded but smiled, unable to help herself.
“I know, it’s terrible but, well, he always, and I do meanalways, gets his way.My mother can be quite doting on him.”
“I understand.”Anna nodded, then stood.“Very well, shall we?”
“Yes.”Pere started toward the manor, her footsteps light on the gray crushed gravel.“I’ll take you to the parlor first, then go and collect my brother.It shouldn’t take too long, but if I don’t return in a quarter hour, then just go on your way and I’ll find you later and we’ll try something else.”
“I understand,” Anna answered, her heart pounding in her chest.
As promised, Pere led them through the house to a backroom type parlor that wasn’t on the main hall where the guests would congregate.When she left Anna with a tight smile, Anna’s already-pounding heart picked up speed once more.Taking a seat, she bit her lip and almost started to take fistfuls of her dress in her hands but halted before she made a crushing wrinkled mess of the muslin.Standing, Anna started to slowly pace back and forth along the back of the sofa in the middle of the room.Small rectangular windows that let in light and a cold hearth were the only defining features of the room, that and the acute soundlessness of the room.No birds were heard through the windows, and her slow steps were the only noise, not even a ticking clock helped her pass the moments of waiting.As she paced, she considered how to open the conversation, wishing there was some way he’d simply call everything off on his own.But that wasn’t likely.
“Honestly, Pere.Why are we going to this dungeon of a parlor?”Footsteps preceded Edwin’s voice in the hall.
Anna stopped her pacing and forced a smile to her face as she turned to the door and waited.
“I know it’s small, but I prefer to think of it as cozy,” Pere answered her brother and then preceded him in the room.
She caught Anna’s eye and gave a tense grin.
As Edwin came into the room, he paused when he noticed Anna, giving her a curious glance, and he quickly bowed.“Lady Anna.If I had known you’d be here I wouldn’t have delayed.”
“It’s of no consequence, Lord Devon.Won’t you sit?”Anna gestured to a chair, then swallowed hard, forcing a deep breath and a calm expression on her face.
“Of course.”He walked farther into the room and stood in front of the chair, waiting for Anna to find her own seat and sit first.
“I’ll… be right back,” Pere said, then disappeared out to the hall.
Edwin turned to his sister’s retreating back, frowned, then looked to Anna.
His frown shifted to a wolfish grin.“Ah, remind me to thank my sister.I’ve been scheming to find a way to have you to myself for a few moments.”
Anna sat on the sofa, and without invitation, Edwin abandoned his chosen seat and sat beside Anna.He reached out and grasped her hand, lacing his fingers through her gloved ones.Leaning slightly forward, he tugged her close.
Anna resisted and sucked in a tight breath.“I have something that needs to be said, my lord.”She kept her attention on her lap, then when he hesitated, glanced up to meet his eyes.
“And I have something that needs to be said as well, Lady Anna.”He murmured the words, lacing his tone with a seductive charm that was ineffective.
Anna nodded.“If I may go first?”she asked, half praying he said no.
“As always, ladies first.”He gestured with his hand that wasn’t holding hers.
Anna tugged her intertwined hand away and twisted slightly so that she was facing him fully.
His eyes tightened slightly as she withdrew her hand, but he didn’t protest.“If you’re concerned with the fact I haven’t formally spoken for you, rest assured that the matter is in hand.”He reached up, cupping her cheek, rubbing his thumb along her jawline.
It felt wrong, and she forced herself not to offend him by jerking away from his touch.How was it that she’d dreamed of this sort of affection and attention from him for years, and now that she had it, she was refusing it?As if to test her own emotions, she gave herself a moment to think of Henley, and if it were his touch on her face.
Immediately her skin grew hot, and her body tingled with satisfaction and need, all at once.
“Your blush says more than your words,” Edwin replied, inching closer.“I’ll make the announcement tonight, if that will appease you?”he whispered, his eyes lowering to her lips.
Anna forced herself back to the present and blinked.“Actually, that is what I wish to discuss.”
“I’m aware.”Edwin shrugged.“But this moment is far too private to let it be spent in speaking…” He leaned forward, his lips parting slightly.
