“Not… that kind,” Anna replied, still smirking.“And you haven’t been, er, compromised by a rake… yet.”
Pere’s face flushed hot.“And you say I’m frank.”
“You’ve rubbed off on me,” Anna replied.“And the whole point of this walk down memory lane—aside from distracting you”—she gave a cheeky grin—“was the fact that it’s come full circle.You have officially reformed a rake.And I, against my previous opinions, believe you were right.Hawthorne, reformed rake, will make an excellent husband for you.”
Pere’s grin softly teased the corner of her lips as she regarded her friend.“Yes, it rather has come full circle, has it not?And I agree.But then again, it was my brilliant plan all along.”
“It was,” Anna agreed.“Well done.Now all we have to do is wait to find the happily ever after, because my sweet Pere, I know you’ll have one.Eventually.”
“You had to add theeventuallyat the end, didn’t you?”Pere’s smile turned into a wince.
“Cheer up.”
Pere froze as the sound of boots echoed on the wooden hall floors.She shared a quick glance with Anna, and before she could stop herself, she stood and took a step forward.
Henley strode into the room a few seconds later, his expression unreadable.Pere glanced to Anna, but her eyes were fixed on her husband.
Pere watched as Henley nodded to them both and came over to kiss his wife’s head.
“Well?”Pere prodded.
“Hmm?”Henley asked, glancing to her, his expression peaceful, like he’d been taking a morning stroll.
“Don’thmmme!I’ve been pacing like a caged tiger.What happened?”
“You?Impatient?Never,” Henley provoked, and at his warm tone Pere relaxed.
“You’re a menace.It went well, and you’re refusing to tell me the details.For what am I suffering punishment?”
“For starting this whole problem to begin with.You, dear sister, are the menace.”He sat beside Anna on the small sofa and leaned his head back, eyes closed.“But I must say, dealing with Hawthorne was the easier of the two meetings I had today.”
“Oh dear,” Anna whispered.“Your mother?”
Henley opened one eye and turned his head just enough to see Anna and nodded once.“I believe we’ve set all to rights, but I cannot rest assured; she was… hesitant.”
“To believe you?And just when do we get to find out whatever is going on with that?”Pere asked, leaning forward.
“Yes, and soon.It’s not mine to tell, so you’ll have to stretch those thin reserves of patience you possess a little tighter, Pere.”
“Delightful,” Pere replied with a grimace.
“But not too long.Hawthorne asked for an audience with you this afternoon.”Henley’s attention shifted to Pere, a knowing grin teasing his lips.
“That is… welcome news.”
“I rather thought you’d want to know that.”
“Of course; it would have been nice if you had led off with that tidbit of knowledge.”Pere clenched her teeth and pretended to throw a pillow at his head, then set it back down.
“It’s been a busy morning; allow me this diversion.”
“Very well.Just when should we expect him?”Pere asked eagerly.
Henley sighed.“I told him I’d send word when I arrived home after speaking with my mother.I dispatched the missive already, and so the timing is dependent on his leisure.”
“His leisure,” Pere parroted.
“For pity’s sake, Pere.The man is likely watching the road with the butler, waiting for the bloody missive.”Henley’s irritation peppered his tone.“Forgive me; I should not have said such a word.”
