An odd expression crossed his face, and his eyes grew dusky. “Shall we go upstairs and rest?”
“Rest?” She frowned at him. “It’s barely noon. Besides, I need to thank Bea for coming to my rescue as well.”
In a blink, his easy smile vanished, but henodded. He led her into the music room where everyone had gathered, and they joined Bea and Lord Montgomery, who chatted with Andrew and Alice.
With a quick check around her to make sure Lord Stratford wasn’t in earshot, she took Bea’s hand. “How can I ever thank you? And how on earth did you know?”
“Elementary. When the footman first offered the tarts, your face paled.” Bea leaned in closer. “And I saw you slip the pieces onto your lap, which I must say was quite ingenious.”
“That was Colin’s idea.”
Lord Montgomery lifted a brow. “A good bit of teamwork, eh? Much like Bea and I have.”
Andrew grinned at them both. “I think your marriage is going to work out quite well.”
Anne certainly hoped so, and given how Colin had come to her aid with the tart dilemma, things appeared sunny.
“Are you sure you’re not tired, Anne?” Colin asked. “It will be some hours before the ball this evening.”
Both Lord Montgomery and Andrew gave a little cough. Perhaps they were the ones who should lie down for a rest.
Andrew smiled broader. “Yes. Your marriage will work very well indeed.”
CHAPTER 19
At his wit’s end but not one to give up, Colin struggled for what else he could say to convince Anne to retire upstairs. And here he’d thought her fairly intelligent. Aside from blurting out his need for her and dragging her from the room, he was at a complete loss.
Montgomery and Weatherby sent him commiserating glances.
“If you’re tired, why don’t you go up?” his bride asked. “I want to enjoy today as it will be the only wedding I’ll ever have.”
He chuckled to himself.Unless I die from waiting, and some other fellow seeks a rich widow.
He must get control of himself. It was not like him to become so melodramatic, but ever since their first meeting when Anne had set his teeth on edge, he’d wanted her. Oh, of course, he wouldn’t admit it then. But at that moment, with no further impediments between them, it was all he could think about. And if they waited until after the ball, she would be too exhausted and probably fall asleep as soon as they retired.
The least he wanted was a conscious and willing participant in his bed, but he hoped for a hell of a lot more.
“Anne, might I have a word in private?” Lady Montgomery tilted her head toward the vacant corner of the room.
“Of course.” Anne’s blue eyes met his. “If you will excuse me.”
As they stepped aside, Montgomery filled Anne’s vacant spot. “Fear not, Manning. I believe my wife has come to your rescue.”
Anne startled at something Lady Montgomery said. “In the middle of the day?!”
Heads turned in Anne’s direction from her outburst.
Her gaze shot to him, her blue eyes wide. Her cheeks bloomed a bright pink.
Anne wasn’t the only one who wished to thank Lady Montgomery. He pressed his lips together to suppress the laugh.
Montgomery grinned in return. “As I discovered early in our own marriage, my wife has the most wonderful ideas, wouldn’t you say?”
Unfortunately, with Anne’s outburst, his hope to slip away discreetly vanished. He would have to wait a little longer to take her upstairs, especially given the way his father was glaring at him.
Once again, Colin had disappointed the man he’d so hoped to make proud. However, he took heart that the man might overlook a bit of unconventional marital behavior if it resulted in a grandson.
Face still red, Anne slinked back to him, her attention focused on the expensive Aubusson carpet. She leaned close, still not meeting his gaze. “Why didn’t you just say you wanted to...you know?”
