Anna raised an eyebrow.
“Not that it will come to that,” Pere replied.“Regardless, let’s find Henley.And perhaps you should speak with your parents, just so they don’t give permission to someone who will not take no for an answer,” her friend added meaningfully.
“Very well, I’ll find my parents first.Shall we meet just before we leave for the picnic?”
“Yes.God speed, friend.And for what it’s worth, you handled it well.I know that was a hard conversation, with a difficult individual.”
“Thank you.And thank you for being present, even if unseen.”Anna squeezed her friend’s arm and released it.“See you soon.”
Anna strode down the hall to do the final piece of saying goodbye to a dream that had quickly turned into a nightmare.
Chapter Twenty
Henley traced therim of his teacup with one finger, savoring the rare quiet of the breakfast room.The others had drifted off, already preparing for the afternoon’s outing.
A soft rain tapped against the windows—light, steady, unobtrusive.He glanced outside.It wouldn’t last.The day would clear, and with it, the outing would proceed as planned.He was glad for it.In public, he could be near Anna without risk of impropriety.
And, if he were honest, he enjoyed the way she looked at him when he teased her—half exasperated, half smiling, as though she hadn’t yet decided whether to scold him or smile.
His thoughts slipped back to breakfast.Edwin had claimed the seat beside her, as usual, with that infuriating mix of entitlement and inattentiveness—possessive, yet oblivious.Somehow, he’d mastered that balance.
But Anna hadn’t smiled.She’d tensed at Edwin’s touch, replied without warmth, shifted away when he leaned too close.
The change was slight, but Henley noticed it.And it gave him hope.
After last night—after those stolen moonlit moments—he dared to believe her affections might be shifting.
Maybe, just maybe, the balance had tipped.
Not that he could be sure.Not yet.Not until she spoke the words—to Edwin, or to him.
He lifted the cup to his lips.The tea had gone cold, but he drank anyway.He needed the distraction, however small, from the storm he felt brewing just beneath the surface.
As he set his teacup down, he heard footsteps in the hall.The gentle heel clip indicated a feminine shoe, and for a moment he watched intently, hoping for it to be Anna.Perhaps looking for him?
His hope was immediately quenched when it was rather his sister who entered the room, frowned, and then signed dramatically.“Do you know how long I’ve been searching for you?”she asked in an irritated tone.
“Well.”He lifted his teacup in a greeting.“If you were, I’d think you’d be happy to see me rather than irritated at the fact.”
Pere’s frown deepened.“This is serious.I need to speak with you.”She raised her brows and glanced around the room, as if assuring herself that they were, indeed, alone.
“About?”Henley asked, his curiosity piqued.“Is the outing canceled and you’re distraught?”he teased, attempting to encourage his sister to speak faster.
“As if I care—okay, actually I do care about the picnic, but that’s beside the point.Can we go somewhere to talk?”Pere smoothed her skirt.
Henley frowned.“Is the vacant breakfast room not private enough?”
Pere glared.“No.”
Henley stood.“Very well, this is interesting.”
Pere waited for him to meet at the door and then gestured to the hall leading toward the exit to a small and rather private garden.“You have no idea,” she muttered.
“Ah, and the plot thickens.”
“It does, and it’s your fault.”Pere playfully jabbed him in the ribs and gave him a smirk.
Henley frowned.“I’m at fault?A first, I’m sure.”
