With a roll of eyes Charlotte had honed to perfection, she said, “Don’t be a silly goose. And if I had, how would that be of use to you?”
Anne shrugged. “Some tips when Lord Grumpy-Trousers annoys me too much?”
Charlotte stared blank-faced. Then her lips spread in a slow smile. “Lord Manning annoys you?”
“Well, yes. At times. At least at first, but recently?—”
“I don’t need the history of what’s happened. But I suspected there was some animosity between the two of you.” She paused dramatically. “Which will make what I’m about to say all the more useful.”
Anne clamped her mouth shut and waited.
“As you may have noticed, Simon and I did not agree when we first met.”
Anne gave a little snort of laughter. “Anyone with eyes could see that.”
Charlotte ignored her. “Everyone at supper was too polite to discuss it, but it’s clear something happened where Lord Manning compromised you and, like the gentleman he is, he has offered for you.”
Spine stiff, Anne sat taller in her seat, which, given her small stature, didn’t do much good. Especially considering Charlotte was taller than the average woman. “Are you suggesting Lord Manning wouldn’t offer for me if he didn’thaveto?” Leave it to Charlotte to take something Anne was trying desperately to envision as a romantic gesture and shine the harsh light of reality on the situation. Because that’s exactly why the grump had proposed.
“I’m not suggesting anything. I’m telling you that men don’t offer for a woman they’ve just met unless they have to, and given that you’ve admitted you and Lord Manning have been at odds, it’s perfectly clear. However, that’s not my point. And if you would quit interrupting, I will tell you what my point is.”
Anne made a motion at her lips as if turning a key, which threw her mind back to the locked closet and Colin.
“As I said, Simon and I were at odds, no doubt similar to you and Lord Manning. When that horrible gossip rag,The Muckraker, made it clear to everyone in town and beyond that we were caught in an embarrassing situation, neither Simon nor I wanted to marry each other, but we agreed to a truce. First impressions, made in haste, were dispelled when we spent more time together. Mainly on Simon’s part, as I’ve always been an excellent judge of character.”
Anne snorted another laugh and received a censorious glare from Charlotte.
“In fact—pay attention, Anne, this is the important part. I find marriage most enjoyable, and I believe that instead of our differences keeping us apart, they’ve balanced us out and drawn us together. I don’t simply tolerate Simon; I love him. And if you repeat that to anyone, I will deny it with my last breath. Give Lord Manning a chance. His reputation as a man who refuses to fail at anything means he will move heaven and earth to please you.”
Anne blinked when Charlotte moved toward the door.Was that all?
With her hand on the knob, Charlotte turned, a wicked smile sending a warning to Anne. “And remember. Tell no one what I said about mymarriage to Simon.”
When the door clicked shut, Anne could only stare. Charlotte’s words turned over in her mind as she tried to make sense of them.
I love him.
If Charlotte Talbot Beckham could find love and happiness in marriage, anything was possible.
Even loving Lord Grump.
Colin understoodthe wisdom of securing a special license and marrying Anne as soon as possible, but it wasn’t the only reason he’d supported Honoria’s suggestion.
He wanted Anne in his bed, in his life. Years of solitude, even when Margery still lived, forced him to quell his passions and numb himself to life. But that kiss—those kisses—had reawakened the sleeping beast.
The first thing the next morning, he wrote to the archbishop requesting permission to marry immediately with the ceremony taking place at Hartridge House. Then he dashed off another letter to his parents, informing them of his betrothal and requesting their presence should they be able to proceed with the wedding plans.
His father’s poor health over the last year had not only kept his parents from attending the house party, but it had further shone a light on why Colin needed to remarry and produce an heir. Regardless, they would absolutely wish to be in attendance at his wedding.
After franking and sending both letters by expedited post, he joined the rest of the party downstairs for breakfast, pleased to see Anne had nearly finished.
He leaned down and whispered, “When we’ve finished breakfast, would you accompany me on a walk?”
Those crystal-blue eyes peered up at him and sent his heart on a nervous rampage. A particular set of freckles spanning the bridge of her nose demanded he explore them with his lips.
Her own lips parted, and he vowed to finish breakfast with expediency.
“If you wish.” Only a half-eaten scone and bits of egg remained on her plate, her cup of tea nearly empty.
