Why did I ever think her response would be different? That her features might soften upon seeing me like they so often did in ballrooms with her friends.
The line had been drawn, and she was decidedly on the other side of it.
And thank heavens for that line, for the woman hated me. She was like fire: unrestrained and scalding if you got too close.
But just like fire, she was captivating. Some unexplainable part of me loved to watch her temper ignite. Loved to see her fuming with frustration. A pretty little thing, Anna. Especially when a man knew the right words to say.
Tilting my head, I watched her with exaggerated appreciation. Shehatedwhen I complimented her. “Might I say, what astunningdress.”
“You may not,” she said flatly, not hiding her disregard. It stung; it always did. But I would never fire back.
“Annie, Mr. Everett only means to pay you a compliment,” Mr. Lane said as he tucked in his chair. “You must learn to receive them graciously.”
My lips twitched. “I am more than happy to help her practice. There is so much to compliment.”
Her father moved around his desk and pressed a kiss to Anna’s temple, but her eyes stared daggers at me. “You must be hungry, Mr. Everett,” she said as her father pulled back and stood between us.
“How kind of you to worry, Annie,” her father said.
I crossed my arms, steeling myself. This would not be agracious invitation to dinner. Anna did not care one whit if I starved to death at her feet.
Still, I played my part. “I am indeed.”
She placed a lace-gloved hand upon her hip. Amusement infused her plastered smile. “A dinner basket, then? For your walk home?”
She wanted to be rid of me without displeasing her father. Well, I wouldn’t make it easy on her, brilliant a move as it was. I shot back an amiable grin and sweetened my voice to a sickening measure. I might be forced to concede, but not without poking at her embers first.
“How thoughtful of you, Miss Lane. Your father speaks often of your generous heart, but I am overcome with gratitude to be a firsthand recipient. You are truly a diamond among women. As beautiful inside as out.”
Anna stepped nearer. Tauntingly. “In that case, I shall have Cook add extra portions of the goat cheese, which I remember you are so fond of.”
I hated goat cheese. But I smiled. “So generous. So kind.”
“Heavens, I hope I am not interrupting business.” She smiled at her father. “But Papa, you did promise to be punctual this evening, as we have something very important to discuss. And we cannot have the food getting cold.”
His eyes sharpened. “Yes, of course I remember. Everett, forgive me. I shall have to cut our meeting short.”
“Need I remind you of our time restraint, Mr. Lane?” I hurried to say. “Did you have any further questions before I go?”
He looked between us and took in a long breath that lifted his weary shoulders. He seemed to think it through, then exhaled, and said, “A life lesson for both of you: Nevermake important decisions on an empty stomach.” He turned to me with an encouraging smile. “The hour is late. Come, Everett. Dine with us.”
“Papa,” Anna chided.
Her surprise mirrored my own. Not for being invited to dinner, which I often was, but because I’d been invited into what felt like aprivateconversation.
Either he was unaware of his daughter’s intentions for the night, or he disregarded them entirely. “I am not appropriately dressed, sir,” I said.
“Nor I,” he said with another sigh. “But you’ll forgive us this casual dinner, won’t you, Annie? Shall we?”
Anna’s cheeks blossomed pink, but not out of embarrassment. She was angry.
Clearly, she wanted something.
Mr. Lane motioned for me to follow him out of the study and in to dinner, so I offered Anna my arm.
True to form, she turned her nose up at me, took her father’s arm, and smiled the most innocent and gracious, helpless and hopeful smile that could turn any man’s heart to utter mush.
A smile that would one day trick some poor hapless man into marrying her.
