Chapter Seven
Anthony walked around the garden. He couldn’t stop thinking about the previous night. He’d kissed Harriet in an alcove. Christ, Anthony was lying to himself. It was more than a kiss. The meeting of their lips had been an all-consuming, life-altering moment.
He wanted Harriet in his arms, in his bed, and in his life forever. The last bit shocked him as he’d not returned to England expecting to find love, especially not with Lillian’s sister. Still, he couldn’t deny what he felt for Harriet, nor did he want to.
The locals and the staff would be arriving soon for the festival.
There would be food, dancing, and games in the garden and courtyard area of the hall.
Philip mentioned they’d considered hosting it inside, but it turned out to be such a beautiful day, so they moved everything outdoors into the sunny, crisp weather.
Finally, he spotted the person he wanted to speak with.
Lillian was making her way down a pathway to an area where there would be sweets and hot cider.
He called out to her. She stopped and glanced his way, smiling.
This was the woman he’d left the country for.
She was still beautiful and kind, but was not the woman who was always on his mind.
Her smile turned to a frown as he stood there saying nothing. She walked to him, concerned. “What is it, Anthony?”
He took a deep breath. “I need a moment of your time.”
She pointed toward two outdoor chairs and a table. They made their way there and sat. Anthony was nervous, but he needed to speak with Lillian. She patiently waited for him to say something.
“I want to marry Harriet,” he said, the words rushing from him.
Lillian, at first, stared at him wide-eyed, then a smile broke across her face. “You love her.”
Anthony hadn’t said those words aloud, but he did. “Yes, I love her and want to court her. I feel like a fool because I should have realized this before. Instead, I was too focused on what society deemed the match everyone should want.”
His sister-in-law blushed, and he immediately felt a pang of guilt. “That isn’t an insult.”
She laughed. “I don’t take it as one. I was quite shocked when you said you wanted to court me. I’d spent the few years before sneaking kisses with Philip.”
“I can't believe he didn’t ask for your hand at the beginning of the Season?”
Lillian shook her head and, with exasperation laced in her voice, provided, “He was adamant that I deserved to be wooed and experience the whirlwind of London events. Philip didn’t want me to regret marrying him.”
Anthony shook his head. It sounded like Philip. His brother was quiet but always adamant about doing the right thing. “It sounds like a decent but foolish idea.”
Lillian smirked. “It only worked until Lord Huxton asked me to walk with him alone in Lady Stenson’s garden. Your brother proposed that night.”
A bark of laughter burst from him. “Well done, Your Grace.”
She smiled mischievously but then sobered. “I do want you to know neither Philip nor I realized you were attempting to court me. I assumed you were being my friend like always.”
He shook his head, holding up his hand. “You don’t have to explain. It was foolishness.”
Relief filled her face. “I always thought you and Harriet would be a perfect match. You were both always so curious. She was clumsier than you, but you both had a similar nature. Will you take her to Bohemia with you when you go to visit your business ventures? She would love that.”
He smiled. “Philip told you that—”
“You are the King of Garnets!” she said, interrupting excitedly.
Anthony laughed. “Don’t share that too broadly, but Harriet knows as well.”
Lillian squeezed his hand. “She may be hesitant, but fight for her.”
“I plan to. She is the only one for me,” Anthony said, meaning it.
***
Harriet stood on the lawn beside Webster Hall, taking in all the festivities. Staff, locals, the Websters, the Barstows, and their guests were all playing games and enjoying hot cider. It had turned out to be a beautiful day, but her mind wasn’t on that.
It was on the kiss from last night. She closed her eyes. Her mind flashed to Anthony's fingers digging into her hips and his mouth claiming hers. A small groan of pleasure escaped Harriet, and she covered her mouth with a hand. It couldn’t happen again. Why not?
The thought was so shocking that her heart began pounding immediately. Jon stopped next to Harriet, forcing her to push the confusing thoughts away. He handed her a hot cup of cider. She smiled at him gratefully.
“It is splendid to see you, Harriet.”
She lifted a brow. “You and Anthony used to call me the hellion.”
He laughed. “When we arrived, we spotted you riding your phaeton to Webster Hall. It seemed obvious that you were still one.”
“Perhaps,” she said, grinning.
“I think Anthony and I are staying.”
Her heart leaped for joy at his words. It shouldn’t. They’d only shared a kiss. Harriet was sure he’d kissed dozens of women in the last few years. Plus, he’d tried to marry Lillian. She would never consider anything with someone who tried to wed her sister—that was ridiculous.
“He’s a good man,” Jon said as if he knew what she was thinking about.
She smiled at him, but didn’t have a chance to respond because the man they were talking about suddenly appeared before them. “I was looking for you, Harriet.”
Jon said, “We are just standing here, enjoying the cider.”
Anthony looked at her intently. She felt flustered and forced herself not to fidget. The man who’d passionately kissed her last night smiled. “When you're done, I would like to fetch you another cup.”
She frowned at him and realized he was staring back at her adoringly. What was going on? Jon must have sensed something amiss as well because his gaze darted back and forth between Harriet and Anthony.
“Would you allow me that honor, Harriet?” Anthony requested again.
“I’m unsure if I want another,” she mumbled.
Jon chuckled and smacked Anthony on the back. “I’m off to find my parents. You two enjoy yourselves.”
Anthony held his arm out and she took it, suddenly nervous. They walked around the grounds quietly. As they rounded a hedge, he pulled her into a more private area that was at the beginning of the garden.
Her gaze flew to his face as they stopped. Anthony swallowed nervously. Harriet frowned. “We don’t have to talk about it.”
His gaze darkened in a way that made her stomach dip. Her eyes darted to Anthony’s mouth. Her tongue ran along her bottom lip. A quiet groan escaped him. Her gaze snapped back to his eyes. Adoration was still clearly present.
“Harriet, will you allow me to court you?”
She stared back at him in shocked silence. He couldn’t have meant what he just said. Anthony had tried to marry her sister. “No. I don’t need you to do the honorable thing. It was only a kiss.”
“That is not why I’m doing this.”
She stared at him, still in disbelief. “You were in love with my sister.”
He frowned and shook his head. “No, that was just foolishness. It wasn’t love.”
“And what is this?”
She wasn’t trying to be mean, but it was a question she truly had. He kissed her once, and now he wanted to wed her.
Anthony seemed to understand where her thoughts were coming from. He shook his head. “They aren’t the same thing. I’m not some young foolish man who is chasing after what everyone else wants. I want you.”
Hope flared in her, but still, she wasn’t sure she believed him. “You want to court a hellion?”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “I want to court you. Since I’ve returned, you are all I think of. You are meant to be my other half, Harriet. I know it.”
“I would never tell anyone about the kiss. You don’t have to worry about a scandal. You are not honor-bound to wed me. If you feel that way, I release you from any misguided moral obligation you have assumed.”
Anthony clenched his jaw and his eyes flared with anger and desire. He stepped towards her. “Honor or doing the right thing has nothing to do with why I’m standing before you. I want to make love to you, have a family with you, and grow old with you.”
She flushed, heat and longing coursing through her body at his words. They stared at one another, neither saying anything. Eventually, she said, “Think about it more.”
He gently grasped her chin and tilted her face upwards. Before she could say anything else, he brushed his lips against hers and said, “I don’t need to.”
Harriet swayed towards Anthony, wanting him to kiss her the way he did last night.
“We could marry in London after the holidays.”
His words broke through the fog of desire and longing she was feeling. Harriet stepped back. “Think about it.”
Frustration flickered across his face, and Harriet added, “Marriage is permanent.”
Her words seemed to calm him, and he nodded. She walked towards the lawn, and he called out, “Harriet.”
She turned back, and his eyes blazed with intensity. “I won’t change my mind.”
Harriet said nothing and rushed from the area, his words reverberating through her mind.