“And silence.Chosen not out of guilt—but to protect a family’s reputation.A choice I consider deeply honorable.”He looked to Henley.“That is the man to whom I’ve entrusted my daughter.”
Edwin’s jaw tightened.He opened his mouth, then closed it again.
A beat passed.
Lord Hawthorne muttered, “Well said,” into the stillness, and set down his glass with a deliberate clink.
And just like that, the mood shifted.Quiet but undeniable.
Edwin sat slowly, his fingers tightening around the stem of his glass as if he was unsure whether to hold it or shatter it, as if realizing—far too late—that he had been the only man standing on a battlefield that had already chosen its side.
This time, he hadn’t needed to fight.The truth had risen on its own.And it had chosen its casualty.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Three days later,at St.George’s in Hanover Square, Anna closed her eyes as she listened to the bells ring from her place inside her carriage, waiting.Her heart giving one hard thud, then steadying as the air shimmered with expectation.If the carriages milling about were any indication, the ton had showed up in force for her wedding.Though after hearing the gossip about what happened the evening she left, it wasn’t any surprise.After all, curiosity moved quicker than a wildfire, and the ton was nothing if not curious to a fault, adding fuel to every rumor that had started from the house party.According to some, Lord Devon had left for Vienna, while others claimed Venice.But it was of no importance to her, what mattered was that it was finally time.
“Ready, my dear?”the duke asked, offering his arm as he stepped from the carriage.
She nodded, gathering her skirts as the door opened and the bright June sunlight struck her full in the face.A few passersby turned to look—of course they did—but Anna only had eyes for the tall doors of St.George’s, open now, waiting.
Her father’s arm was steady under hers, a reminder of his love and intervention on her behalf, even when she didn’t know it was taking place.Turning to the duke, she gave a watery smile, her emotions so close to the surface.“Thank you, Father.”
“Your mother and I, we approve wholeheartedly, dear.Are you ready?”
Anna nodded, and then she walked inside.
Inside the church, the stained-glass windows threw cheery bright light into the room, casting a warm glow that reflected off the gleaming floor.The entirety of the church stood, turning their gazes her, but she only saw one.
Henley.
His shoulders square and his jaw tight, Anna easily read the depth of his emotion in his gaze, making her want to run down the aisle while also feeling weak with desperation for the man in front of her.It had been a long three days, and she drank in the sight of him.The ivory silk of her dress whispered as she took each step closer to her love, to the man whose expression threatened to set her on fire with love and desire, passion tempered with wonder.It was a heady moment, drowning in his gaze as he drank her in, astonishment and need clearly displayed for God and everyone to see.This wasn’t a marriage of convenience.It was the love match of the season.
Anna didn’t glance away from him, rather she held his gaze.Her chest tightened with emotion, appreciating his pursuit of her, of knowing that they stood here because he risked everything for her heart.How had she nearly missed this kind of unconditional love and devotion?She simply thanked God she hadn’t, and today they would seal that future together forever.But standing here, her fingers curled around her father’s arm and her eyes locked on the man waiting for her, Anna knew.
She hadn’t made the easy choice.
She had made the right one.
The ceremony was blessedly quick, with Anna counting the moments till the official words were spoken, “Man and wife.”
Henley’s gaze never wavered, his tone strong, resolute, repeating the vows and swearing them with the intensity in his expression.And with the final announcement, Anna breathed a “Finally.”
Henley’s chuckle was short-lived as he reached out and tugged her into him, commanding her lips with his own, sealing their union and his claim on her heart.Light fingertips tickled up her arms, sending gooseflesh up her spine, her heart pounding harder as he deepened the kiss, teasing her tongue with his own, ever so lightly but wickedly in front of their audience.
The clergy man closed his book of common prayer with a snap, and Henley pulled back slightly, only enough to meet her gaze, his eyes a depth of love and need that she knew echoed in her own.“Lady Allendale,” he whispered softly, as if savoring the first moment the words were spoken into the air.
“Husband,” Anna remarked, her tone reverent.
“Yours.Only yours,” Henley replied a moment before kissing her tenderly, lingering against her lips.
Henley slowly released her, and Anna was grateful, since she hadn’t wanted to let go, to move from his embrace.
And tonight, she wouldn’t have to.That was the only truth that kept her sane as Henley led them to the cathedral doors and to his carriage, no,theircarriage.As her body heated just from the short exchange of his hand holding hers, she wondered just how long was a proper duration of time to remain at one’s own wedding breakfast.
Anna decided to voice that very question as she threaded her hands through her husband’s as she sat beside him.
“How long?”she asked, turning to trace her other hand along his jawline, the freedom of their private coach and his name now attached to hers giving her a new boldness.
