Henley shook his head, the scenario making so much sense.The last-minute switch of the fighter, the angry insults the man shouted in the ring, the whispers of the crowd as Henley gave him one final left hook to send him unconscious.And then the fact the man passed a week later, creating a deeper suspicion over Henley.
“How?”Henley whispered, his gaze darting between the duke and duchess.
“That is a question only your brother can answer.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Anna lifted abiscuit onto her plate as Pere chattered away, her voice a soothing rhythm against the flutter in Anna’s heart.Henley was meeting with her parents now.Surely, he’d come to her the moment their conversation ended.She bit her lip, feeling the butterflies stir at the thought of his gaze—intense, adoring—and all it promised for their future.
“Hello?Anna?”Pere’s voice cut in.“Are you even listening to a word I’m saying?”
Anna blinked.“Pardon?”
“That’s a no.”Pere sighed.“The sooner you two are married, the better.Maybe then you’ll be less distracted.”
Anna glanced around, checking to make sure no one could overhear.
“There’s no one here,” Pere said with a wave of her hand as she picked up another biscuit.
“Still,” Anna murmured, eyes flicking toward the door again.
Who could blame her for her anticipation?
“He’ll come here directly, don’t worry.He’s just as distracted by you as you are by him,” Pere said—then brightened.“See?There he is.”
Anna’s heart leapt as she turned.Henley strode toward them, his expression soft and warm, with that familiar light in his eyes.He bowed slightly as he took the seat beside them.
“Ladies.”His tone was teasing, but his voice dropped lower as he leaned in.“I bring only the expected news.”
He scanned the room, then looked back to Anna with quiet intensity.“However, I’ve a request—from your parents.”His expression tightened slightly.
Her curiosity piqued.“Yes?”
“They’d like you to head home early,” Henley said, choosing his words carefully.“Your father gave us a wedding gift.”
“Oh?”Anna asked, eyes darting to his mouth before she could stop herself.
She licked her lips.
Henley stared, his voice suddenly hoarse.“Dear Lord… your father is my favorite man in the world right now.”
“Oh?”she asked again, breath catching.
“Yes.Because his gift was a request—that we marry by special license.”
His voice was low, urgent, and when their eyes met, something hot and bright lit between them.
“Truly?”The smile that bloomed on her face reached her eyes.
“Truly.”
“In case anyone wonders,” Pere said loudly, “I’m still here.And wildly uncomfortable.”
Anna ignored her, leaning closer to Henley.“I’ll pack now.”
“I’ll take you to your mother—she’s waiting upstairs.”He paused, his eyes dropping to his hands before meeting hers again.“There’s something else.Information we’ll need to discuss later.Nothing urgent, nothing to concern you—but I wanted you to know that I know.If that makes sense?”
Anna tilted her head.“And I’m not to be concerned?”
