Chapter Twenty-Three
Pere’s disposition was in utter contrast with the sunshiny light in the little yellow morning room of Henley House.
It was the sort of golden light that made even sensible people reckless.
Rather she was a storm cloud of irritation, worry, and impatience as she tossed her book to the table and flounced back onto the sofa.
It had been several hours since Henley had left for their mother’s residence to attempt to speak reason to Edwin. Peregrine was sprawled sideways across the same faded chaise, one slipper dangling from her toes, the other already sacrificed to nerves on the carpet.
“Why in heaven’s name did Mother not tell me he was in residence!” she asked aloud to the empty room. “My family has all gone mad.”
“I won’t argue with you.” Anna’s response came a moment before she entered the room, a wry grin on her lips. “But I’ll also remind you, my dear, that you are cut from the same cloth.”
“Don’t remind me,” Pere grumbled. “I’m unfortunately aware.”
Anna sat across from Pere and twisted her lips. “They won’t be much longer, I’d imagine.”
“Do you remember Edwin at all? Good Lord, what did you ever see in him? He’s quite stubborn when he thinks he’s right.”
“Like someone else I know,” Anna replied with a teasing tone.
“And Edwin … well, I’ll blame that on a juvenile fascination that never matured.
He was your dashing eldest brother. I don’t think I actually considered any aspect of his character until I began to know him. Then, of course, that shifted.”
“You thankfully figured out that Henley is of superior character.”
“He’s quite dashing too.” Anna gave a devilish grin.
“I … I’m sure you think so. Regardless, the waiting to hear about the meeting is slowly killing me. I feel my life draining,” Pere replied dramatically.
“You missed your calling at Drury Lane,” Anna replied dryly. “Besides, I believe I said something about it being anticipation…”
“Must you always be so optimistic? It’s irritating.”
“You’re welcome,” Anna answered cheerily, then started a slow smile.
She leaned forward.
“That look in your eye frightens me,” Pere replied.
“It’s quite poetic, really.”
“In what way?” Pere asked dubiously.
“Think about it.” Anna gestured to the room. “At the beginning of the season, in this very room … you nearly gave your brother an apoplexy with your idea.”
A grin spread across Pere’s lips as she caught on to Anna’s words.
Vividly, she saw the picture in her mind. “Rakes,” she said, “make the best husbands. Those were my words, were they not?” Pere asked Anna.
“Yes, and I believe I said something to the effect that it was a theory, and not necessarily a true one.” She giggled and leaned back on the sofa. “You burst into the room like you had this huge announcement; it was quite dramatic.”
Pere gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “I had a plan.”
“Which wasn’t necessarily clear at first, when you simply declared that rakes made the best husbands. It’s when you explained the plan that I wondered if your brother would have a heart fit.”
“My reasoning was solid.”
Anna blinked at her. “I … wouldn’t exactly use those words to describe it. You said something about not wanting a mind-numbingly dull gentleman…”
“How is it you remember my words better than I do?” Pere grumbled.
“It’s easy to remember things that shock you.”
“You must have a mind like an elephant; so much in this family is shocking.”
“I’ve adjusted.” Anna flicked her wrist and then sat forward. “But you continued, explained your plan, and promised your brother you were not going to let a rake compromise you.” Anna could hardly finish the sentence; her giggles bubbled over. “I … even I was shocked you stated it so frankly.”
Pere buried her face in her hands. “Yes, well, that’s what he was thinking. I just took the mystery out of it all.”
“You certainly did.”
“If I said it in my head, my brother wouldn’t have heard it, would he? For pity’s sake, what kind of lady do you think I am?”
“Not … that kind,” Anna replied, still smirking. “And you haven’t been, er, compromised by a rake … yet.”
Pere’s face flushed hot. “And you say I’m frank.”
“You’ve rubbed off on me,” Anna replied.
“And the whole point of this walk down memory lane—aside from distracting you”—she gave a cheeky grin—“was the fact that it’s come full circle.
You have officially reformed a rake. And I, against my previous opinions, believe you were right.
Hawthorne, reformed rake, will make an excellent husband for you. ”
Pere’s grin softly teased the corner of her lips as she regarded her friend. “Yes, it rather has come full circle, has it not? And I agree. But then again, it was my brilliant plan all along.”
“It was,” Anna agreed. “Well done. Now all we have to do is wait to find the happily ever after, because my sweet Pere, I know you’ll have one. Eventually.”
“You had to add the eventually at the end, didn’t you?” Pere’s smile turned into a wince.
“Cheer up.”
Pere froze as the sound of boots echoed on the wooden hall floors. She shared a quick glance with Anna, and before she could stop herself, she stood and took a step forward.
Henley strode into the room a few seconds later, his expression unreadable. Pere glanced to Anna, but her eyes were fixed on her husband.
Pere watched as Henley nodded to them both and came over to kiss his wife’s head.
“Well?” Pere prodded.
“Hmm?” Henley asked, glancing to her, his expression peaceful, like he’d been taking a morning stroll.
“Don’t hmm me! I’ve been pacing like a caged tiger. What happened?”
“You? Impatient? Never,” Henley provoked, and at his warm tone Pere relaxed.
“You’re a menace. It went well, and you’re refusing to tell me the details. For what am I suffering punishment?”
“For starting this whole problem to begin with. You, dear sister, are the menace.” He sat beside Anna on the small sofa and leaned his head back, eyes closed. “But I must say, dealing with Hawthorne was the easier of the two meetings I had today.”
“Oh dear,” Anna whispered. “Your mother?”
Henley opened one eye and turned his head just enough to see Anna and nodded once. “I believe we’ve set all to rights, but I cannot rest assured; she was … hesitant.”
“To believe you? And just when do we get to find out whatever is going on with that?” Pere asked, leaning forward.
“Yes, and soon. It’s not mine to tell, so you’ll have to stretch those thin reserves of patience you possess a little tighter, Pere.”
“Delightful,” Pere replied with a grimace.
“But not too long. Hawthorne asked for an audience with you this afternoon.” Henley’s attention shifted to Pere, a knowing grin teasing his lips.
“That is … welcome news.”
“I rather thought you’d want to know that.”
“Of course; it would have been nice if you had led off with that tidbit of knowledge.” Pere clenched her teeth and pretended to throw a pillow at his head, then set it back down.
“It’s been a busy morning; allow me this diversion.”
“Very well. Just when should we expect him?” Pere asked eagerly.
Henley sighed. “I told him I’d send word when I arrived home after speaking with my mother. I dispatched the missive already, and so the timing is dependent on his leisure.”
“His leisure,” Pere parroted.
“For pity’s sake, Pere. The man is likely watching the road with the butler, waiting for the bloody missive.” Henley’s irritation peppered his tone. “Forgive me; I should not have said such a word.”
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.