Chapter Four
Henley’s eyes followed the swirling dancers, his attention fixed on one couple—Lady Anna and his brother. He thought back to her unusually late arrival at the party and wondered if it had been intentional.
Wasn’t everything in society?
If his brother’s behavior was any indication, Lady Anna had set herself up as a lovely offering, one Edwin had clearly noticed.
Henley held his breath as Edwin’s hand flexed around Lady Anna’s waist, drawing her closer within the frame of the waltz. He glanced around to see if anyone else had noticed, but nothing seemed out of place.
He silently begged Lady Anna to lean away from the pressure, to give his brother some indication that his attentions were unwelcome. But hidden behind several dancers, Henley gave up hope when he spotted them again, closer than before.
What tore at his heart was the smile on Lady Anna’s face.
She was taller than average, with cinnamon-colored hair and cobalt blue eyes, but it was her smile that was remarkable—because it wasn’t perfect.
Overly wide lips often spread into a grin considered vulgar by society matrons.
More than once, he’d seen her hide the glorious expression behind a hand or fan.
A bloody Greek tragedy, that.
No, a smile like that was contagious, not meant to be hidden away.
He watched as she pinched the corners of her mouth, as if trying to keep the expression in check.
Did Edwin notice? Henley already knew the answer—no. Edwin was blessed or cursed—depending on one’s perspective—with an oblivious nature that led him to feel quite cheerful about all circumstances.
Unless it related to Henley.
But that was the exception to the rule.
The music ended, and Henley tugged at his shirt sleeves, waiting for Edwin to return Lady Anna to her mother’s side, or even Pere’s. However, Edwin tilted his head and whispered something quickly into Lady Anna’s ear. At her nod, he escorted her toward the edge of the ballroom.
Henley’s brows furrowed as he followed their movements. When they disappeared into the hall, Henley moved forward, his feet making the decision for him.
Careful not to attract attention, he arranged a polite smile and meandered toward the hall, praying there were others nearby.
Dear God, don’t let them be alone.
And if they were, let it be him who found them—to mitigate the scandal—for her sake.
For his own.
He took a deep breath as he rounded the corner and spotted the couple, now paused and talking softly. Henley’s heart lurched at the tender scene, revolting against it.
“Ah, Edwin. Mother is asking for you—another introduction, you understand.” Henley bit the inside of his cheek to keep from saying more.
“Ah, Mother. To think it was her idea for a turn about the room.” Edwin’s tone implied disbelief, but that was likely a nuance only a brother would notice. Or so Henley hoped. “You know, we call him Hen for a reason.” Edwin gave Henley a quick wink.
Henley’s blood simmered at his brother’s antics. His hands clenched of their own accord; with difficulty, he forced his grip to relax and his expression to remain indifferent.
“Yes, I’m rather a mother hen, I suppose. Though I must say it’s served you well a time or two, hasn’t it, Edwin?” Henley replied before Edwin could say anything to Lady Anna.
“See? He even admits it.” Edwin shrugged. “Please tell Mother I’ll be right in.”
Henley sighed, pausing a moment before continuing. It was part of the charade, and he needed to play it well—or his brother would view the situation as a game, rather than a threat to Lady Anna’s reputation.
“You and I both know that will not suffice.” Henley’s gaze shifted to Lady Anna.
Her expression was guarded—or irritated? He couldn’t tell. She wasn’t happy, and he wasn’t sure if it was with his brother … or him.
“Very well. I trust Henley will escort you to the ballroom while I attend our mother—”
“In the library.”
“Ah, it has been my utter delight, Lady Anna. I’m sure I will see you quite soon.” Edwin lowered his head to kiss her wrist, lingering a little too long for a gentleman.
Fists curling again, Henley released them before his brother turned back to him.
“I’ll see you soon as well.”
It was a threat if Henley had ever heard one. But he cared not.
As soon as Edwin left the room, Henley stepped forward. “Lady Anna, I thought better of you than this,” he scolded, immediately regretting his words.
He sounded like an old man, not merely three years her senior.
“Pardon?” she replied, tone low. Her cobalt eyes narrowed as she stepped closer. “You are accusing me of impropriety?”
Henley ran his fingers through his hair. “Yes, I believe you put yourself in a position that was unwise.”
“And why are you so concerned?”
“I’m not, really, but what I’m saying is you shouldn’t be in a darkened hall alone with a gentleman,” he lied.
As his eyes darted to her lips, he couldn’t resist watching every expression, studying it, memorizing every nuance. Anna was his little sister’s best friend—not one to be trifled with, no matter how tempting the trifling.
“Ironic, is it not?” she asked, eyes sparkling with irritation.
Henley realized that expression earlier was not indecision but irritation. Damn, she was bolder than he expected.
“Pardon?” He forgot the question—or statement, rather. She stepped closer than he’d ever allowed.
She poked him in the chest. “Turns out it helps when one explains the question, does it not? Since you did an abysmal job of it, I’ll show you how it should be done.
” She arched a brow. “You just accused me of disregarding my reputation—very bold of you.” She gave a derisive shake of her head.
“Then you proceeded to explain the surroundings, and how I shouldn’t be in those environs with a gentleman. ”
Henley nodded. “That about sums it up, Lady Anna.” A hint of sarcasm slipped into his tone.
She narrowed her eyes.
He narrowed his.
Then suddenly, she laughed. The sound was musical and sharp all at once. “Do you truly not see it?”
Henley frowned. Then, for good measure, looked around the vacant hall.
Vacant.
“Oh.”
“Yes, oh,” she mimicked him. “Unless you don’t consider yourself a threat to my reputation equal to that of your brother,” she teased.
Her words echoed in his ears. He was likely the greater threat. But she didn’t know that—and she never would, not if Edwin traveled the route he expected.
No.
Lady Anna would be his sister-in-law.
And he’d watch as the light in her gaze faded once she realized the man she gave her heart to didn’t return the same. It would destroy her from the inside out—and he’d have a front-row seat to the whole tragedy.
She’d want loyalty.
She’d receive none.
“No,” Henley replied.
“No?” she repeated. “You’re not the same threat? I highly doubt anyone would agree with you—but—”
Henley stepped closer, silencing her words. Cobalt eyes clouded with confusion as he reached out and grasped a loose curl, winding it around his finger.
Tugging, he pulled her closer. “No, I am not the same as my brother,” he whispered, eyes roaming her features, gaze landing on her lips.
She swayed forward, then back, swallowing hard—an indication of her confusion. “I never thought you were, but…” She shook her head, unable to finish.
“I’m entirely different,” Henley murmured, releasing the curl and leaning forward to slide his nose along hers.
He grinned when she gasped softly but didn’t pull away.
It was all the encouragement he needed as his lips found hers. The shock of first contact spiraled through him, yet he kept the kiss gentle, soft, lingering as he slowly drew away, watching her eyes lock on his. Belatedly, he noted she never closed her eyes.
She blinked, then cocked her head slightly. Her eyes narrowed—not in irritation but as if seeing him for the first time.
Recklessly, he tilted his head forward, waiting, watching her expression. If she backed away, he’d do the same.
He was just about to lean back when her eyes fluttered closed.
Henley closed the distance, meeting her lips once more.
His hands clenched at his sides, though he longed to pull her into his arms. He resisted, taking pleasure in the waiting.
He lingered in the kiss, then angled his head and nipped her lower lip, smiling against her soft gasp.
She never broke the seal of their kiss—instead, she leaned in.
His body sang with the knowledge of her acceptance, but their time was stolen. With regret, Henley withdrew, leaving a few quick kisses before fully retreating.
He stepped back, studying every nuance of her expression: delight, wonder, confusion, indecision—the last two weren’t his favorites.
“Ah, there you are!”
Henley’s blood chilled to ice at the sound of his mother’s voice.
“Ah, yes, here I am,” Lady Anna replied, smoothing her skirts in a universal sign of unease.
Henley watched his mother’s gaze sharpen at Lady Anna’s reaction.
With a warning glance to him, she addressed Lady Anna again. “Your mother and father are searching for you, my dear.” There was an undercurrent in her tone—too much delight and warmth.
Lady Anna nodded and, with a final glance at Henley, exited the hall. The open door let the ballroom music echo inside.
“I don’t know what just happened, but that lady is going to be your sister-in-law, so I’d tread carefully,” Henley’s mother murmured as she passed, heading toward the same door.
Yet Henley didn’t see her leave. All he heard were the words that created the problem.
Because his brother was planning to marry the very woman he’d just compromised.