Page 22 of A Marriage of Necessity

He tweaked one of Louisa’s curls. “I think that fourteen is old enough to know better than to ask her brother to countermand her mother’s instructions.”

Louisa blinked and Anne thought she would pout. Instead, she shrugged and said, “I suppose I have much to learn about having a brother.”

He laughed again and Anne noted a tinge of sadness this time.

The orchestra struck up a waltz.

“You and Anne haven’t dance,” Louisa said. “The waltz is so romantic. You must dance.”

Kennedy looked at her. “Shall we, my lady?”

The last thing she wanted was to dance with him, but how could she refuse? She nodded, and he grasped her hand, tucked it into the crook of his arm, and led her toward the dance floor.

Once they were out of earshot of her mother and sister, she said, “You need not dance with me.”

He looked at her. “There is nothing strange in a man dancing with his wife.”

She wasn’t his wife—not truly. Not yet.

“True, but Louisa forced you to ask me.”

“Never fear, few people can force me to do anything.”

They reached the dance floor. He pulled her close and stepped into the music. She wasn’t surprised to find he was an excellent dancer.

“Who are the few people who can force you to do anything?” she asked.

His gaze snapped onto her. “What?”

“You said few people can force you to do anything. Who are those few people?”

“I suppose there is only one person in truth,” he said, as if speaking to himself.

“Who?”

He seemed lost in thought, and only shook his head. “It is of no consequence.”

“Your father?” she asked.

His full mouth thinned and he looked at her. “Why ask questions you already know the answers to?”

She considered. “I am sorry you were forced to marry me.”

He released a breath and guided them past a couple, then sidestepped another couple who nearly rammed them.

“It isn’t your fault, Anne.”

“True,” she replied. “But you’re clearly unhappy with marriage.”

Interest lit his eyes. “Are you saying that because we didn’t consummate our marriage last night?”

Embarrassment warmed her cheeks. “I-I didn’t mean that, at all.”

The interest turned to amusement. “We are not the first married couple not to consummate their marriage on their wedding night.”

Anne nibbled on her lip. “There is always tonight.”

“Have you plans for me, my sweet?”