Pere gave a snort.“Yes, by all means apologies to the sister who has heard worse from your lips.”
“I was apologizing to my dear wife,” Henley shot back.
Anna snickered.“How gentlemanly.”
“You mock me?”
“Never,” she teased, her fingers playing through his hair.
“Keep that up and I’ll forgive you, eventually.”He groaned.
“Feel free to have some privacy… elsewhere,” Pere said dryly.
“We will, but not till Hawthorne has been here and left.I don’t need a repeat of the original performance where you were caught in his arms.Which… reminds me…”
Pere froze and watched as her brother speared her with a glare.
Anna’s fingers stilled in his hair as he leaned forward.“This conversation to be had between you and Hawthorne will be quite proper.Door open, Anna or I just outside during a short private interlude and then present at all other times.Am I understood?”
“I pick Anna for chaperone, and yes.Understood.”Pere didn’t grumble or question him.
He was more than fair in his requirements, provided said meeting actually occurred.And as providence laughed, the butler entered the parlor, a silver tray in hand with a single card resting upon it.
Pere’s breath caught as Henley took the card from the offered tray and nodded.“Show him in, please.”
Anna’s gaze shot to her, wide and expectantly delighted.
A warm glow filtered through Pere as she watched her brother rise and offer his hand to his wife.“We are to have a guest, it would seem.”
“It would seem,” Anna echoed, her smile growing.
Pere stood as well, smoothed her skirts, and tucked a stray hair behind her ear.Pinching her cheeks, she took a deep breath.
“Anna will be—”
“In the corner, embroidering,” Anna finished for her husband.
The snap of heels on the hallway floor made Pere’s heart begin to pound with blessed anticipation.A moment later, Gabriel, Lord Hawthorne—her reformed rake—strode into the room like he owned it, a sense of determination filtering through his expression as he bowed and addressed Henley, his eyes darting to Pere as if unable to resist a glimpse of her before returning to Henley.“Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon.”Henley nodded.“My wife will remain during your visit.”He gestured to Anna, who gave a small finger wave, her expression amused.
“Thank you.”He paused.
Hawthorne—Gabriel—Pere thought his name, caressed it with her mind’s voice, and noted every shift of his feet, every nuance of his tone.
He continued, “I sincerely appreciate your assistance this morning and the opportunity you honor me with presently.”His words were formal, as a suitor would appeal to a father rather than a friend addressing another.
Henley shifted his feet.“Well, I don’t have much of an option.”A wicked grin baited his lips as he nodded to Pere.“She’s quite a hoyden when she wants to be, and I’ve been threatened by her before…”
“Are you quite finished?”Pere spoke finally, spearing her brother with an impatient glare.
Gabriel’s chuckle warmed her heart, and she turned her attention to him.“You’re no better, my lord.”
“I never claimed to be.”He shrugged, his smile warming her to her toes.
“I’ll allow you a few moments.”Henley smacked Hawthorne’s shoulder and took his leave.
Gabriel simply looked at her, his expression full of words yet unsaid.But rather than begin, he gave a small chuckle and ran his fingers through his hair.At that, Pere studied him, really evaluating his person.
