“Nothing.” I raised my brows, instinctively defending against whatever ruffling she saw in me. She couldn’t possibly know that I’d told Anna everyth—
“Good afternoon,” Anna said at the doorway, and we all turned. Her cheeks were flushed, those thick, silky curls rearranged from the wild mess of the morning into a loose, delicate bunch atop her head. She held her hat in her hand.
Tabs swooped upon her, saying something that made Anna’s smile grow wide. Then her eyes met mine. Her smile started to fade as she examined me, and I her.
“Mr. Everett,” she said, then she did the strangest thing yet.
She curtseyed.
My lips parted, red heat burning up to the tips of my ears. A curtsey was nothing more than a social courtesy, but from Anna, it felt like the world on a platter.
Chin lowered, an easy, warm smile grew on her lips as she rose. “Are we ready?” she asked the room. “I am eager to see this place that you all have grown so fond of.”
Mouth dry, I could not speak. It was as though my senses had betrayed me, and every intelligent thought I’d once possessed had abandoned ship.
Mother drew her brows together and gave me a questioning look. “Yes,” she answered for me. “The carriage is waiting. And I see you have your things, Miss Lane. We shall have luncheon on the seaside.”
“Won’t you sit by me in the carriage, Anna?” Tabs tugged on her arm.
Anna held her close. “If you’ll have me.”
“Perhaps I should stay in, with the carriage so full,” Ginny said with a sigh. Strange, seeing as though she’d normally beg for an outing. Any chance for a glimpse at her latest blade, Mr. Anderson.
“You’ll join us,” I directed, but the words came out weak. What was wrong with me? Was I catching cold? I cleared my throat. “Shall we?”
I motioned to the door, and Anna stepped aside to let me lead. She was letting melead. I nodded, walking past, acutely aware of the scent of jasmine and cherries permeating every space, then nodded again as Roland opened the door.
Steps had been laid at the carriage door, and I stood beside them, offering my mother a hand, then Ginny, then Anna, who’d pinned on her hat. Something in my chest constricted when she took my gloved hand with hers. Her longbrown lashes, the peak of her upper lip, the smooth skin on her neck were like sparkling treasures, rare and priceless, as was the feel of her fingers as they softened their grip and then pulled away.
She situated herself on the bench opposite my mother, leaving space between herself and Ginny. She touched the curls framing her face. If she permitted, I could sit right there, beside her.
“Ahem.”
I looked down to find Tabs, hands on her hips with one of her little eyebrows raised. Foot ready to stomp.
“You’re acting strange.”
Ah. How could I forget? “Well,someonewoke me in the middle of the night,” I said, offering her my hand, which she took as she stomped up the stairs.
“I had a bad dream. Likely from all your harassment of late.” She cast me a disparaging glance over her little shoulder, then huffed and plopped between Anna and Ginny.
Well. I tempered my humor as I took my seat, then knocked on the roof and set the carriage in motion.
“You’ll wrinkle my skirts,” Ginny whined, shoving Tabs to the side.
“No more than they already are,” Tabs retorted, pinching Ginny’s leg.
Anna started to smirk but seemed to think better of it. “What shall I expect today, Tabs? My gracious host has yet to inform me.”
Anna flicked her eyes to mine. Again, I struggled to think. She was looking at me.Reallylooking at me. Me, despite knowing everything. And she was teasing. Smiling. My heart stammered in my chest.
“Anything. Everything,” I said.
“I believe,” Tabs enunciated, “she askedme.”
Anna and I shared a look so full of the same thought, we burst out laughing.
“Forgive me, Your Highness,” I said, rolling my eyes.
