Chapter Six
Anthony forced himself not to drum his fingers on the dining room table. Lady Leonora was watching him adoringly. He didn’t like it. He and the lady didn’t suit. Anthony had no interest in courting her. Still, he was trying his best to be polite.
His eyes flitted down the table to catch the lady who did hold his interest staring at him oddly. She’d been watching him all night with a strange expression on her face. It was as if she were trying to sort something out in her mind.
He lifted a brow, and she yanked her gaze away, turning to speak with Lord Mervil, seated next to her. Anthony took a sip of wine and then scowled. He stiffened when he heard a chuckle on his left. Jon grinned back at him and whispered, “You do like her.”
He didn’t respond, and his friend leaned closer. “I have to admit, she’s become quite beautiful since the last time we saw her. She seems more at ease with herself.”
Was Jon right? Had he not been the only one who changed in the last five years? She did seem different to him as well.
“Lord Webster, will you be here for the rest of the London Season?” Lady Brennar asked.
Her question seemed to silence the table as everyone waited for his response. He tugged at his cravat, suddenly feeling as if he was being smothered. “I haven’t decided yet.”
“I’m hoping so,” his mother said, beaming at him adoringly.
His gaze bounced to Harriet, who was still perusing him as she’d been doing earlier. He didn’t have time to think about it further because his brother and Lillian stood at each end of the table, beaming at everyone.
Philip held his glass up. “I wanted to thank you all for spending Christmas with my family.
We will host a small festival for the locals tomorrow and then follow the Crown's lead by decorating a tree.
During this time, I enjoy reflecting on the happy moments I've shared with my family and friends. Those at this table fall into those categories, some longer than others, but we are grateful to have you all here.”
His brother’s gaze darted to Lillian’s, causing Anthony to look that way as well. She mouthed, “Don’t forget the doorways.”
Philip smirked and addressed the table again. “Before I finish my toast, my wife wanted me to inform you all to watch what doorway you walk through and with whom. We have mistletoe hanging around.”
Several ladies giggled. Philip continued, “Here is to ending the year with good people.”
Everyone raised their glass and drank. Philip and Lillian sat again, and the table broke into several conversations. Lady Brennar's eyes narrowed in on him. “Lord Webster, what will you do to keep yourself busy if you stay in London?”
He smiled. “My schedule is always full, Lady Brennar.”
She pursed her lips, seemingly skeptical. He glanced down the table to find Harriet shooting daggers at the older lady. Was she protective of him? Warmth spread across his chest at the thought.
“There are many charitable endeavors that may help settle you,” the older woman added.
“How do you know he isn’t already involved, Lady Brennar?” Harriet questioned.
The table quieted down again, listening to the exchange. London loved salacious gossip, not that this was that. Lady Brennar's face turned red. “I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.”
Harriet, his hellion, seemed skeptical. The corners of his mouth twitched upwards, flattered that she was defending him. Anthony smiled politely. “I try to do my part like anyone else.”
“That is all we can do,” his brother said from the head of the table.
Everyone nodded in agreement. Anthony wasn’t sure if it was because they all agreed or because Philip was the duke. He glanced back at Harriet and nodded his thanks. She smiled slightly in return.
The woman was quickly becoming something much more than an old neighbor.
***
Harriet paced back and forth in the library, wondering if Anthony would appear. She realized that sliding a note under his bedchamber door was scandalous, but she had to know if he was the King of Garnets. It made complete sense that he would be. He’d lived in Bohemia mostly since leaving England.
She turned when she heard the click of the door opening and closing. Harriet sucked in a breath. Anthony had discarded his jacket and was only in his shirt, pants, and shoes. She’d seen him like this so many times through her life, but somehow it seemed to affect her more right now.
He was so brawny. She willed herself not to turn red. He lifted a brow. “What is this about?”
“I have a question for you,” she began.
Anthony’s eyes widened, and Harriet realized he thought she was about to proposition him. She quickly added, “It is nothing salacious.”
He grinned, amused that she’d said such a thing. Harriet blushed and held out the paper she’d found. “Are you the King of Garnets?”
His expression became shuttered, and he walked to her. Plucking the note from her fingers, Anthony said nothing. She stated, “I found it on the ground in the hallway.”
He nodded. “I am. Well, Jon and I are.”
She stared at him in wonder. “Why haven’t you told your family or anyone else?”
Anthony sighed. “Because I enjoy my privacy, and once it gets out, that will go away forever. London is already talking about the King of Garnets; when they discover the businessmen behind the moniker are the Duke of Webster’s brother and childhood friend, gossip will explode.”
Harriet agreed with him. They’d both be sought after and invited to everything. “Jon doesn’t know what he is in for. At least you have grown up in this world.”
He chuckled. “I keep telling him that. He seems somewhat skeptical that it will be a big deal.”
She smiled, amused. “Congratulations.”
His eyes dip down to the garnet pendant she wore. “I saw your necklace when I first arrived home.”
“They are all the rage now because everyone wants to solve the mystery of who is the King of Garnets, but even before the gossip, I loved them. The deep red hue exudes passion and excitement.”
He stepped towards Harriet and held her pendant, staring at it intently. She sucked in a breath, feeling as if they were scandalously close to each other. “Your pendant isn’t from Bohemia but a different region.”
Curious, she asked, “How do you know?”
“Bohemia garnets are deep red. You would look lovely with a necklace full of them.”
Anthony’s fingers slid along the gold chain around her neck, gliding over her skin—a shiver coursed down her body at the light touch.
Anthony cleared his throat and stepped back.
“I’d appreciate it if, for now, you don’t mention it to anyone.
My brother deduced it was me as well. I imagine he has told Lillian, but no one else. ”
“Does your mother know?”
He shook his head. “All of England would know within a day.”
She laughed, and Anthony added. “I love her, but she is not one to keep a secret.”
“My mother is atrocious at them as well.”
Their mothers were close and had only become closer since the death of their husbands. Both ladies loved gossip—both hearing and sharing it.
“I promise not to say anything,” Harriet said.
He nodded. Something swirled between them. It made her want to stay, but Harriet had no real reason to. “I should go.”
Anthony nodded, and they walked out the library door together. She glanced up and spotted the mistletoe hanging over the entryway. A blush bloomed on her cheeks. He’d probably not seen it. They were old childhood friends. He shouldn’t kiss her.
As they finally reached the stairs, it was clear he hadn’t seen the stems of leaves hanging over the door. She should have been relieved, but for some reason wasn’t.
“Goodnight. I’m going to stay down here for a bit,” Anthony said.
They stared at one another, and shockingly, he leaned forward, brushing his lips over hers softly and quickly. Her eyes widened. “Why did you do that?”
Anthony grinned. “There was mistletoe at the door of the library.”
She nodded. His soft, proper kiss had been her first. Harriet had expected something different. She frowned, and he tilted his head. “What is it?”
“I suppose I imagined my first clandestine kiss would be different.”
Something sparked in his eyes. “Have you been kissed before?”
“No.”
This entire conversation was improper. Yet, he still asked, “What do you mean?”
She blushed. “More passionate.
Harriet clamped a hand over her mouth, shocked she’d said such a thing. Anthony’s eyes darkened and dipped to her mouth.
“I didn’t mean it quite like that,” she said, her voice shaking.
Shocking her, Anthony took her hand and pulled her into an alcove. Her heart pounded. What was he doing? He didn’t give Harriet time to ponder it long because he wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her flush against him. Attraction and temptation ebbed between them.
His lips pressed against hers. It wasn’t the light brushing from before, but hungry and demanding. She groaned and leaned into him. Harriet gasped when his tongue stroked hers, enticing her to crave more. His hands tightened on her hips, and she pushed against his body.
Heat flared between her legs as she felt his manhood pressed against her stomach.
Instinctively, she wanted to feel more of him and of it.
As Anthony continued to kiss her, his hand slid between them.
He palmed one of her breasts and pushed it out of the top.
She moaned as he pinched and teased her nipple.
Her body was on fire. She’d never felt so wanton before.
Her hands grasped the front of his shirt, clinging to him.
They finally broke away from each other, both gasping for air.
Her chest heaved up and down. She flushed, realizing her breast still peeked out at him.
She adjusted her top as he eyed the mound hungrily.
Anthony ran his hands through his hair. He cleared his throat.
“I think you need to go to bed, Harriet.”
Going to sleep was the last thing on her mind, but Harriet suspected that if she stayed, they’d cross lines that were unacceptable.
Still, she remained rooted to her spot. Madly, she thought, touch me again.
A noise in the house caused them both to jump.
His jaw clenched, and he softly said, “Harriet.”
She nodded and rushed out of the alcove.
Harriet didn’t stop until she reached her room.
She leaned against the door and closed her eyes.
She brought her fingers to her lips. Anthony’s kisses still lingered.
Her mind flashed to the alcove. There was no denying it now; she wanted Anthony quite desperately.