Anna squeezed Tabs’s hand and laughed her musical laugh. “You do indeed. And I agree. How can you truly know a place without seeing its creations firsthand? If we come upon an adder, we shall certainly examine it.”
I leaned my head back to stare at the heavens. If God took me now, it would be a mercy.
I drew in a slow, steadying breath. We were nearly to the cutoff where we’d start a careful descent of a hidden pathway that led to the most private, unadulterated view of Brighton’s coast. There would be no fishermen here, no bathers, no tourists idly walking by. If it was privacy Anna truly sought, she’d find it here. Only those of us who’d lived here for more than a year knew of this place, and we kept it a closely held secret.
Anna looked over the tall, yellowing grass at the wide sea stretching out to the horizon. Was she impressed by the view? Was she impressed by anything? As someone who never lifted a finger, who was granted anything her heart desired without a second thought, would she truly appreciate so simple an afternoon?
I’d sent our servants ahead with blankets, food, and a few parasols should the sun continue to be as unyielding as it now was. I had given thought to every detail, granted every wish. I could only hope it was enough.
“Doyouplay the harp?” Anna asked Tabs.
“Oh, no. Not yet. It is so dreadfully tedious.”
“You should consider learning while you are young. That way, when you are your sister’s age, you will have talents to display. The harp is a very respectable instrument, and I daresay when you are older, you’ll be grateful for a skill to use when times gettrulyboring.”
Tabs looked down at her feet. She was likely bored right now. Perhaps if Tabs showed an interest in playing the harp, we could hire out. After this investment was secured.
“Oh, look, the gulls are sunning!” Tabs tugged Anna to the right, pulling her through tall grass to the edge of a hill toward the sea.
Anna drew in an audible breath but followed. The two of them peered down at the rock-covered beach where a dozen or so gulls were resting on boulders. Our servants were a few paces beyond with everything set up just as I’d asked.
“Come, Anna, we are nearly there!” Tabs said.
“Wait a moment,” I called. “I shall go first and help you both down.”
“We are able!” Tabs called as they rushed forward. I shouldn’t have let them, but Anna was grinning. Something about the sea air was working within her. For now, I’d be grateful, but we’d only been gone a half hour. How much longer could Tabs continue without a fuss?
Anna had stopped at the top of the descent, though Tabs was already halfway down.
“May I assist you, Miss Lane?” I asked as I approached. It would be awkward, taking her hand and supporting her down, but I’d do it.
“No,” she replied firmly. “I can manage.”
By the looks of her hesitation, I doubted it. “I am happy to help, if you’ll just take my hand.” I stepped ahead of her, securing my footing on rocks that were half buried.
“I said no, thank you. Walk ahead.” Her lips were pursed, eyes focused on the ground.
I waited for her to move, but she seemed to be taking half steps or less at a time. She would surely fall without proper support. My jaw clenched. Why was she always so obstinate? So unconventionally persistent. Did she act this way with everyone, or was I alone allowed that singular pleasure? More likely than not, she thought I was not good enough to aid her. I had no doubt she thought me lower than a servant.
I watched her take another cautious half step, but just as her foot came down, the dirt shifted, and she started to slip. Her hands flung out, mouth opening wide in surprise.
My senses seized, breath stopping in my throat, and I reached out. I nearly grabbed her, until she found her footing on a dried patch of grass between rocks.
“Take my arm,” I commanded. Anxiety trailed through my veins, pumping into my chest. If something happened to her, I was a dead man. Mr. Lane would never forgive me. “I shall help you down.”
But the blasted woman stepped around me; this time, somehow, surer of herself. “I have it,” she said through her own flexed jaw.
I kept both hands out, ready to grab her, to catch her if she fell either way, only taking a breath when she finallyreached the bottom of the hill. But even then, we were still several paces away from the picnic spot my servants had laid, and this was no sandy beach. Brighton was all unforgiving rocks that shifted as you walked. In boots, I could manage, but even I had miscalculated and slipped once or twice.
Anna took a few steps to feel it all out, and I could see the determined frustration in her countenance. She would roll her ankle before allowing my assistance, and even then I wondered if she’d prefer the pain to a moment of my attention.
Tabs had already settled on the blanket ahead with a crumpet in hand. She waved to Anna. “Come, sit, Anna! There are crumpets! And jam!”
“Won-wonderful,” Anna called back. Then, “I would have appreciated wearing boots, Mr. Everett.”
She was right, but I had to pick my battles with her. Shoes were not on the top of the list at present. “Yes—well, you look so lovely this afternoon, I cannot say I have given notice to your shoes. I shall have to beg your forgiveness.”
The words were bile in my throat. I did not mean them. Shedidlook beautiful, of course; she always did. But if I were to compliment a lady, I would never be so disgustingly obvious as that.
