Chapter Five #2
Pere’s eyes narrowed. “About the ball that was intended to be my come-out that my brother all but overtook.” She sighed and leaned back into the cushions.
“Do not mention to my mother regarding my posture. I’ve earned it.
But”—she rose and straightened her spine—“I do believe, that in spite of my brother’s best efforts to completely overshadow me, I will have a few suitors call today. ” She twisted her lips.
“A few,” Lady Anna replied with a hint of sarcasm.
“I’ll admit, the tittle-tattle was all surrounding your brother …
but that was only for the ladies. You were certainly the whispered name on every gentleman’s lips, and that’s what is important.
” She patted her friend’s hand and then continued.
“Was there any particular gentleman you hope will visit today?”
At this question, Pere grinned mischievously. “It would be easier to say whom I do not wish to show up!”
Lady Anna giggled. “There’s nothing wrong with quality and quantity.”
Pere shook her head, her smile fading slightly.
“And an astonishing number of gentlemen showing up to pay me court will be remarkably valuable in proving myself to my mother. Do you know, she didn’t even try to talk Edwin out of his impulsive plans?
She encouraged it!” Pere added, huffing the last words.
Lady Anna bit the inside of her lip. She wasn’t sure how to proceed so that she was not being disingenuous regarding her own emotions but still sensitive to her friend’s feelings.
“It’s possible she didn’t think his declaration would interfere with your come-out ball,” she tried.
“Even Henley knew it was a selfish plan,” Pere grumbled.
“Lord Allendale, your second eldest brother?” Lady Anna asked to clarify.
“Yes.” Pere sighed. “Bless him, he was the only one in the room thinking clearly, aside from me, of course.”
“What do you mean?” Lady Anna absently smoothed her skirt, listening intently yet cursing herself for the interest in the family’s intimate dynamics.
“Well, my mother was giving all her attention to me since it was the day of the ball, and I was horribly worried that my brother Edwin wouldn’t arrive on time and would cause a scene.
How difficult is it to be on time?” She tossed her hands in a frustrated gesture.
“And heaven knows what he was doing the night befor—” Pere sucked in a breath and didn’t finish her words.
“Never mind, regardless, when he arrived, on time mind you, and gave his flourishing announcement, my mother was thrilled. Henley tried to reason with her, but she never listens to him.” She gave one more dramatic sigh.
“Even though he’s usually right, but I’ll go to my grave before I’ll ever admit that to him. ”
Lady Anna gave a slight grin in response. “Well, it was good of the viscount to champion you, but I do believe you are just as successful of a diamond of the first water with or without the earl’s announcement.”
“You’re a true friend, Lady Anna.” Pere patted her hand. “Now, I saw you danced with my brother … well, brothers, yesterday. And I happen to know that it was talked about…” She let the words linger off as she raised an eyebrow.
Anna’s heart pounded as she asked, “In what way was it talked about?” Certainly, Lord Allendale didn’t disclose their moments in the hallway. Would he?
“My brother, the earl, mentioned something to my mother, only after she asked quite pointedly. And I do believe that you will be receiving a caller this afternoon. And don’t play coy with me, Anna.
I know you. You’re beside yourself with elation over the prospect.
” Pere smirked. “My eldest brother is a menace, but he is charming in his own right, and I do not object to his attentions in your direction. In fact, I’m quite shocked he has such good taste.
” She giggled. “Now, what is your response to all this?” She straightened her posture and watched with an expectant gaze, her eyes wide with anticipation.
Lady Anna bit her lower lip to keep it from spreading into a wide grin.
“I can keep no secrets from you, Pere.” At least not many, she corrected herself mentally.
“And so, yes, it gives me great hope that he may indeed come call this afternoon. Though I am already impatient and frustrated with the waiting.” She chuckled to herself.
“As is the charm of my impatient nature.” Then relaxing, Anna sighed.
“Pere, I’ve waited so long for him to finally see me as more than just your friend and now that I have this chance, I…
” Words eluded her, and she looked to her friend for help.
“You’re terrified and thrilled.”
“Yes, that. All that. Plus a million other things,” Anna replied.
“Now.” Pere patted her friend’s arm. “If I can just find a gentleman … we can call this season a complete success.”
“I highly doubt that will be problematic; your greatest obstacle is finding one out of the many interested suitors.”
“We shall see in a few hours.” Pere flicked her wrist. “We need tea, don’t you agree? But let’s take it upstairs in my rooms. We can select my dress for this afternoon before you have to go back home to ready yourself for a very specific caller,” she said meaningfully.
“Agreed.” Anna stood and watched as Pere did the same.
Pere started through the door and glanced behind her to Anna. “And biscuits, don’t you thi—”
Henley’s hands braced his sister’s shoulders tightly to prevent her from running into him. Pere’s gasp barely preceded her immediately berating her brother.
“I did not see you there, Henley! Why must you sneak around like a ghost?” Pere smoothed her skirt and jerked out of her brother’s gentle hold.
Anna bit back a smile as she covered her lips with her gloved hand and watched the myriad of emotions flicker across Henley’s face.
Settling upon an irritatingly haughty expression, Henley asked with a stern tone, “I do believe you were the one about to run into me. And, I might add, that you were not even looking in the direction in which you were walking. So, in the situation, which one of us was the one not paying attention, Pere?” Henley’s hands slowly released his sister, and he cocked a dark eyebrow.
Pere narrowed her eyes and glanced back to Anna.
“You are very fortunate you don’t have brothers.
They can be utterly vexing at all times.
” Turning back, she looked at her brother.
“My sincerest apologies.” Her tone was anything but offering the sincerity promised.
“We were on our way to my rooms to have tea and continue our conversation. I apologize for running into you but thank you for being so gentlemanly as to prevent it.”
Lady Anna’s amusement continued as she tried to school her expression. Removing her hand from covering her smile, she met the gaze of Henley. He bowed smartly and upon straightening his posture, he regarded her with a warmth that sent a cascade of sensations through her body.
Not knowing what to say, she settled for a simple, “My lord.”
Henley’s lips twisted into a half grin. “How fortunate of me to see you twice in just the past day.”
“Yes, I believe that is quite fortunate for you. It’s not yet decided to find out if it’s fortunate for me, however,” she added with a teasing twist, belatedly realizing she was possibly flirting.
Anna noticed that Pere’s gaze flickered between her and Henley just quickly enough for Anna to take note and adjust her own expression.
Henley’s voice drew her attention back to his face. “Well, I will not detain you ladies any further. I am glad that I have avoided bodily injury at the hands of my sister at least this one time. There will be others, I’m sure.”
Pere nodded and agreed. “Certainly, there will be other times when I will do bodily damage. I can guarantee that. But today you have escaped unscathed,” she replied airily, as if doing a great service to her sibling. “It is indeed your lucky day.”
Henley leaned forward slightly, as if imparting a secret. Though he was still several feet away from her, even the slow movement of him becoming closer sent another wave of emotion through her.
“You are indeed blessed that you do not have little sisters to contend with either, Lady Anna. For they are ferocious and mighty in their own right.”
At this, Pere smacked her brother’s arm, to which he gave a playful wince.
“Well, I guess today is not my lucky day for my sister is still assaulting me. And here I thought I escaped untouched.”
Pere shook her head once. “You would’ve escaped had you left when you should’ve. But instead, you’re sitting here talking and preventing us from leaving. So let it be a lesson to you to leave us alone.”
Henley nodded, bowed to his sister, and stepped aside.
Pere gave a final smirk to Anna and carried on down the hall.
Following her, Anna glanced over toward Henley as she started past him, only to pause when the dark chocolate of his eyes melted through her.
Not the first time in the past twenty-four hours, she wondered anew what exactly her treacherous body was doing to her to give her such reactions to the wrong brother.
“It is entirely delightful to see you so soon after—” He stopped, not continuing his words.
Anna’s eyes narrowed. “So soon after what, my lord?” Not willing to back down from a challenge, even though she knew in that moment she should’ve gracefully walked away.
To have simply nodded and followed her friend upstairs, but there was something within her that rose up, daring him to finish his statement.
No, he been bold, overly bold last night.
He could continue to be bold and brave and say what he truly thought.
Maybe it would help her alleviate all of these emotions within her.
Let her see the truth and tell her heart to stop reacting in such a fanciful way.
Henley’s eyebrows rose, and he smiled a devastating and daringly handsome grin that transformed his features. Taking a slow breath, she steeled herself against the onslaught of the force of his smile.
“I do love that you refused to back down from a challenge, Lady Anna.” He paused, his attention lingering on her lips.
“It is … enticingly delightful. I was merely going to say…” He lowered his voice quietly.
“That you have been on my mind, and I’m very thankful to see you after thinking about you so incessantly, and what we shared. ”
For a moment, she couldn’t think clearly.
Gathering her wits, she stepped forward, just an inch or two, but enough to stand her own ground.
“Well, I must say I thought quite a bit about you as well. However, I do believe they’re in very different veins of thought.
I find I cannot categorize you nor can I rationalize your behavior. ”
Henley’s eyebrows shot up, and he glanced around as if making sure they were alone.
“Pere has gone upstairs clearly not concerned and the hallway is quite vacant. I do believe that we have a habit of finding secluded hallways, Lady Anna. Of which I am not averse to, however, you perhaps might have different feelings. Or have you not sorted out those feelings yet either?” he asked, his tone silken and low.
Forcing her thoughts into neat little lines, she refused to notice the thrill of gooseflesh over her arms in reaction to his tone.
“I have not sorted through any emotions. However, I do find a rising irritation toward you. And your arrogant nature toward me,” she finished, a swell of pride filling her at her direct words.
“Arrogant? And here I thought I was flirting. I must be out of practice,” Henley teased, a low chuckle settling in the air between them.
Lady Anna gave a slight shake of her head.
“Yes, perhaps, but I do wish I would not be the recipient of such practice,” she continued, forcing the words that must be said.
“It is … exceedingly confusing. And I also fear traitorous of my intentions toward another,” she said meaningfully, glancing down at her slippered feet, then studying the marble floor, unwilling to meet his direct stare that she could surely feel on her face.
Henley’s voice came low. “I’m aware of your intentions, Lady Anna.
Rather the intentions of others toward you and your approval of those intentions.
But I am not one to sit idly aside, as I think we have established, and I believe that a straightforward approach is honest. I would not disrespect you or act in such a dishonorable way as to give you anything less than the truth.
So, with that, I will bid you good day, Lady Anna.
May you have a lovely afternoon. And may you not suffer the consequences of my sister’s violence,” he added with a chuckle.
He reached out and grasped her hand, lifting it to his lips. He kissed the air above it, meeting her gaze.
“I bid you goodbye.” With a lingering touch, he released her hand, took a step back, and started down the hall.
Anna released the breath as she was holding and tried to calm her pounding heart. Not wanting to allow any more interlude, she turned quickly on her heel and all but ran up the stairs to Pere’s suite.