“No.”His answer came quickly, gently.“You’ll understand when the time is right.”
“Very well, then.”
“If I may?”Henley stood and extended his hand.
Anna rose, placing her hand on his arm.“You always did walk rather slow, Pere.”
“I can speed up if you want,” Pere teased, rising too.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Henley said, guiding Anna toward the hall.Even through his coat, she felt the strength of his arm—and the steadiness of his soul.
As they walked, Henley glanced back at his sister.“And I’d be very grateful if you’d walk… extremely slow.”
“I live to serve,” Pere replied, taking an exaggeratedly dramatic step forward.
Anna bit back a giggle—his request echoed her own exact wish.She’d have to thank Pere, profusely, later for her leniency.Even a few stolen moments with Henley would be delicious.Though he’d created several private moments before, this was different.The security of his affection made the undercurrent of it all so much more powerful.
“I’m sure there’s much on your mind, but…” Henley glanced behind him and then tugged her over into a small window alcove.
The air pulsed with expectation, or maybe it was just the hammering of her heart as she looked up into his warm gaze.
Tenderly, he released her wrist and guided her hand to circle his neck as he placed his own hands on her hips and guided her close, his eyes searching hers.“You’ll be gone before dinner and already I miss you.”He lowered his chin and leaned forward, his nose tracing her jawline as his warm breath tickled her skin.“Even three days seems like an eternity.”
“I know,” Anna whispered.“I know, and it’s torture.”
“The sweetest torture ever, and I’ll happily endure it, because the reward of your hand is worth any price.”He whispered the words against her skin, then feathered kisses along her jawline.
Anna’s fingers tightened on his neck, then tentatively, she laced them through his hair, using his locks as an anchor to tilt his head up, to meet his gaze.Lifting up on her tiptoes, she boldly kissed his lips, leaning into the embrace as his hand cupped her cheek softly as he deepened the exchange.He withdrew slightly, reluctantly, and Anna leaned forward, unwilling to end the kiss.
“I’ll not break, my lord,” she whispered, searching his eyes.
“Anna,” he murmured, tracing her cheek with his hand softly, his expression hot with intensity and need, but deliciously restrained.
“Henley,” Anna whispered, his name a prayer on her lips.
With a low groan, Henley took her lips, commanded them as he gently guided her to the alcove wall and pressed her against it with his deliciously warm body.“Three days,” he whispered against her lips before taking them again, his tongue teasing her in the most wicked of ways.
He tasted of heat, of longing, of promises that would bring greater pleasure.
Abruptly he withdrew, his eyes alight with desire and passion.“Three days, and I won’t need to remember my manners.”He spoke with a velvet tone.
Anna blinked, forcing her mind to focus, to tame the wild galloping of her heart and the way her body threatened to melt under his gaze.“Manners be damned.”Anna covered her mouth with her hand, then giggled.
“I share that sentiment entirely, however, in honor of your father’s great gift, I’ll not act on my sentiments.Rather, I’ll just live in torturous anticipation.”He leaned down and kissed her longingly.“Great anticipation.Because there’s something you need to hear rather than me just show you.”
“Oh?”Anna asked, her heart fluttering from his kiss.
“Yes, because though I’m sure you’re aware, I love you, Anna.More than I ever thought I could love, my heart is yours.So…”
Anna glanced behind him as Pere, rather loudly, stepped just below the alcove and began tapping her foot.“I’m turning around, because Lord knows I don’t need to see whatever is happening in that not-so-private room, but you have ten seconds.Don’t make me count out loud.”
Henley chuckled and then continued.“My heart is yours, so please keep it safe while we’re apart, and know I’ll be living every breath, every heartbeat in anticipation of seeing you soon.”
Anna bit her lip, her chest tingling with delight as she studied Henley’s expression.“And I love you.”
“Yes, yes, we all love one another but there’s a servant that’s headed—”
“Very well.”Henley stepped back and offered his arm to Anna.
