Chapter Nine
Anthony watched everyone around the dining room table. The festival hadn’t finished up until the late afternoon, so dinner had been pushed further into the evening. The families that his mother and Harriet’s mother invited for their matchmaking schemes would leave the day after tomorrow.
No matches had been made for their daughters or sons. Still, the guests didn’t seem disappointed with their time at Webster Hall. His eyes drifted down to where Harriet sat conversing with Philip and Jon.
She had her garnet pendant hanging around her neck. He clutched his wine goblet as a vision of her wearing his garnets and nothing else flashed in his mind. Harriet was made for the stone, all fire and chaos.
He wanted her just as she was. Anthony frowned, realizing he had so much more to say to Harriet. Perhaps he could arrange to see her alone tonight. They had so much to speak about.
“Lord Webster, tell us what Bohemia is like,” Lady Brennar insisted, sitting across from him.
A distraction was precisely what he needed. He smiled at the older woman who’d watched him with contempt for most of the time she and her family were here. He suspected she’d only come because the invitation had been from his mother. It was impossible to refuse a dowager duchess.
He took a sip of his wine first and then said, “Bohemia is a beautiful region. Off and on, it has been immersed in turmoil.”
“Were you ever frightened to be there?” Lady Josephine asked.
Anthony had been, but he wasn’t sure this was the right setting to discuss such matters. Still, he nodded and said, “The Kingdom of Bohemia wants to rule itself, and the Austrian Empire refuses. It makes a region filled with wonderful people agitated and angry.”
“You speak as if you support their defiance,” Lord Brennar said, frowning.
He shrugged, not wanting to go any more in-depth. Lady Brennar laughed. “Perhaps Lord Webster, if you read more and did less galivanting, you would have a clearer picture.”
The older woman’s words were a jab, one that was said pleasantly but was nonetheless a jab. The table went silent. He glanced at his brother, who was frowning at the lady. He shook his head slightly, not needing his assistance.
“Perhaps you should read more Lady Brennar. Revolutions have occurred worldwide. People do not want to be controlled by the heads of empires who are seated in faraway lands,” Harriet said, quietly but stubbornly.
Lady Brennar scowled at her. Lillian was immediately on her feet. “Enough of that talk. Politics is never fun, especially on Christmas Eve. Everyone, please join us in the drawing room.”
Philip rose as well, signaling dinner was over. Anthony made his way over to Harriet, smiling. “I can handle Lady Brennar.”
“She acts like you are a dimwitted vice-loving man.”
A bark of laughter escaped him. Anthony realized she was angry on his behalf. He liked it. Leaning in, he said, “May I visit you later tonight?”
Her eyes widened. “In my bedchamber?”
It was reckless, but he nodded. Harriet stared back at him, shocked, but eventually gave the tiniest of nods. Anthony walked away, certain he’d lost his mind. Still, not an ounce of regret or hesitancy existed in him about going to her tonight.
***
Harriet nervously paced back and forth. Her bedchamber was located right next door to the one her mother was staying in. What if she decided to knock on her door, and Anthony was here? It was well past midnight and unlikely. Still, she was a jumble of nerves.
A quiet knock on the door had her spinning around. The door handle pressed down, and Anthony slid in. He was dressed like the night she’d seen him in the library, in only a shirt, pants, and shoes. Tonight, his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and his shirt was unbuttoned at the collar.
Harriet was tempted to go to him, wanting to feel his strong arms wrapped around her. She didn’t, but the desire to do so thrummed through her. He smiled at her, and a million memories of laughing, arguing, and challenging Anthony during their childhood flashed in her mind.
How had she not seen him this way until now? He sat in one of two wingback chairs in front of the fireplace and beckoned her over with a wave of his hand. She flushed as her stomach dipped. Harriet took the seat across from him. “Why did you want to see me alone?”
He leaned forward, studying her intently. “Why won’t you allow me to court you?”
“You tried to wed Lillian,” she blurted out. Harriet had mentioned this before, and perhaps it shouldn’t matter, but it did.
He didn’t scowl or sigh at the reason she was hesitant, but nodded. “My feelings for Lillian were superficial. Well, I take that partially back. My romantic feelings for her were superficial.”
“How do you know this isn’t the same?”
He smirked and shook his head. “What I feel for you is all-consuming. I want you, Harriet.”
“How can I trust your words?” she whispered.
Anthony ran a hand through his hair but didn’t get angry. He was quiet for a moment but eventually said, “I see us traveling together, having children, and holding each other. I’ve never seen that with anyone, especially Lillian.”
“Those are practical reasons.”
His eyes flared with something wanton and hungry. “Are you afraid I don’t desire you, even after our kiss?”
She blushed, unsure. His eyes perused her, and she felt warmth flare between her thighs. Huskily, he said, “I hunger to lay you down only with garnets wrapped around your throat and explore every curve and slope of your body.”
He stood and placed his hands on the sides of her chair, blocking her in. Harriet tilted her head up, staring intently into his passion-filled eyes. “I want us to get lost in each other's bodies.”
Anthony ran his thumb across her lower lip. Heat sparked and sizzled between them. She breathlessly asked, “Anthony, will you kiss me?”
A growl escaped him. He pulled her from the chair and took her in his arms. Harriet’s already wanton thoughts for him flared more. She pulled him closer as their tongues sparred with one another. It didn’t feel like enough.
Anthony lifted her slightly so her most feminine area ground against his shaft.
A needy moan escaped her mouth. He pressed her against a wall.
Instinctively, her legs wrapped around his waist. There were layers of fabric between them, but the sensation between her thighs as he slid along her body was an ecstasy Harriet had never experienced before.
He slid her down so her feet touched the ground again. She leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. Her eyes darted down to his pants, where his manhood demanded release. She licked her lips. Anthony groaned. “You have no idea what you are doing to me.”
“Kiss me again,” she requested.
He shook his head. “I can’t or I will compromise you. I won’t allow that to happen unless I know you are mine.”
The words “mine” from his lips caused her body to hum with temptation. She wanted to be his. He shook his head and chuckled. “I can’t believe the woman who captured my heart has been where my life began all along.”
“You needed to leave. It was good for you.”
He smiled at her softly. “It was. I want to take you to Bohemia someday.”
“I would like that,” Harriet said, realizing she honestly did want that. “Anthony, I accept—”
He held up his hand. “Tell me tomorrow. Both our emotions are raging right now. I want you to be clear-minded when you agree to a courtship and to wed me.”
Harriet shook her head. Anthony pulled her to him, kissing her deeply. She moaned, hoping for more, but he released her. “I must go. Until tomorrow, my love.”
She watched him leave, smiling. She suspected her answer tomorrow would be the same as today. Harriet would say she chose him. It was outrageous how certain she felt after such a short time, but they’d known each other their whole lives.