“Exactly.Unfortunately, Henley, people will quickly believe any scandal attached to your name because of…”
“I know; it was one of my greatest reasons I nearly didn’t pursue Anna,” he confided.“I know, and even now I wonder if I’m putting her in needless crossfire.”
“You might be, but Anna is able to navigate it, if needed.Her parents can vouch for her, and state that she informed them regarding Edwin’s pursuit.So that will be taken care of, but what will be an issue is if anyone suspects you of seducing her.”
“I haven’t,” Henley said quickly—not that he hadn’t wished he could, but it wouldn’t have honored her.
“I know that.But she’s been compromised by you—more than once, if we’re being honest.”Pere rolled her eyes.“Things I never thought I’d say about you.”She shuddered.
“Thank you?”Henley blinked, unsure how to take that.“I think.But it wasn’t a… thorough compromise.”
“Dear Lord, spare me the details.I don’t want to hear them.”She held up her hands and shook her head.“Regardless, it needs to be kept circumspect from now on.Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
“Good.Now, let’s find Anna—together—and make a plan.”
“Wait.”Henley caught his sister’s arm.“How did it go?What did she say to Edwin?I want to know the particulars.”
Pere regarded him quietly.“She was graceful.He was not.His pride was bruised—he wasn’t expecting it.”
“I can imagine.He didn’t… touch her?Or raise his voice?”
“He did raise his voice.But I can’t speak to whether he touched her or not.I gave them some privacy, though I stayed just outside the door in case anyone happened by.The last thing we needed was some busybody claiming they were alone and forcing a marriage under the guise of her beingcompromised.”
“Good Lord, yes, I understand.”Henley frowned.“I’ll ask Anna.”
“You should.But I will say—it was difficult for her.She’s struggling with a bit of guilt.Not for any reasons that make sense, mind you.It just… took time to sort through her feelings.Which I’m sure you know.”
“I do.”Henley nodded solemnly.
“But the point is—she did.”
“She did.”Henley let out a deep breath.Then he met Pere’s eyes.“I know what an honor it is, even just to have a chance at winning her heart.And you need to know, as her best friend—I love her.If Edwin had truly been what she wanted, what she needed… I would have stepped aside.Gladly.But I knew he wouldn’t have loved her, treasured her, cherished her the way she deserves.”He paused, his voice low but firm.“And I swear to you—I will.Until my dying breath.”
Pere blinked as a single tear slipped down her cheek.“Well.”She swallowed.“I can’t ask for more than that, can I?”She gave a watery shrug.“In the face of such adoration, how could she even entertain Edwin’s suit?Maybe she’s as slow as you.”She grinned.
“She did come around,” Henley replied, lips lifting.
“She did.I’m happy for you, Henley.I always wanted her as a sister—and now I still get that.And, in my opinion, the better brother won the battle for her heart.”
“It’s not over yet.”He arched a brow.
“No,” Pere agreed.“Never stop pursuing her.But now you can do it from a place of relationship, rather than just the hope of one.”
“You know,” Henley said, narrowing his eyes playfully, “you’re wiser than you look.”
“Shh.Don’t tell anyone.I want someone to fall in love with my looks alone.”Pere rolled her eyes with exaggerated flair.“I’m brilliant, thank you very much.It’s about time you realized it.”
“Understood.”He gave her a mock salute.“Shall we go find Anna?”
“Yes.She should be finished speaking with her parents.I can’t wait to hear how that conversation went.I bet they were as shocked as Edwin.”She giggled.
Henley frowned slightly.“Hopefully not too surprised.And reasonably open to another suit.”
“Her parents are unique in that they’ll give her heart serious consideration.Besides, it’s literally the same family.”She jabbed him lightly as they walked into the hall.
“True.”He leaned closer and lowered his voice to a whisper.“Later, you’ll have to tell me what Anna said about me when she finally told you.”
