Chapter Nine
Lady Anna closed her eyes, letting the sun’s warmth soak into her skin. It had been a rainy few days since she’d last seen Lord Devon during her at-home hours.
“It does feel nice, doesn’t it?” Her mother sighed contentedly as they rode at a lazy pace through Hyde Park.
Anna shifted in her sidesaddle and smiled in agreement. As she adjusted her position again, she mentally designed a new riding habit—one with slightly more fabric in the skirt for comfort. It was a wonder no one had done it before. Then again, if all the designers were men, it made perfect sense.
A sage green muslin with gold stitching, she mused, already planning her next order.
“Look to the left,” her mother said, drawing her mare closer and nodding ahead.
Anna followed her mother’s gaze and spotted Pere first, her smile widening—then faltering when she realized Pere was accompanied by both her eldest brother, Lord Devon, and her younger brother, Lord Allendale. How could three members of the same family provoke such different reactions?
“Shall we?” Her mother had already begun to guide her horse toward them.
Anna followed, watching as the Allendale siblings strolled leisurely along the path near the Serpentine.
“Good day,” her mother greeted warmly.
Anna glanced toward Lord Devon but found his attention on her mother.
When she looked to Lord Allendale, instead, she found his eyes already on her.
They were unreadable, but something in them sparked a slow, coiling heat low in her belly.
She quickly shifted her attention to Pere and greeted her with a bright smile.
“Good day,” Anna echoed, then turned to Lord Devon.
A sparkle kindled in his eyes as they skimmed from the hem of her gown to the top of her hat, as if committing every detail to memory.
“Lady Anna, a pleasure, as always. May I?” He extended his hand in invitation to dismount.
Nodding, she first handed him the reins. Then, deftly, he grasped her waist and lifted her effortlessly to the ground. His expression was full of mischief and daring. His hands lingered a moment longer than necessary at her waist before he released her with deliberate slowness.
“Thank you,” she whispered, glancing down with a shy smile.
“May I escort you for a while?” he asked, offering the arm not holding the reins and placing himself between her and the horse.
“Of course,” she murmured, glancing up just in time to catch her mother’s approving smile, barely hidden behind her gloved hand.
“I’m so glad we saw you!” Pere came to walk beside her, nearly taking up the entire path. “I’ve been meaning to stop by—we have so much to discuss. But I had one fitting, then another, because someone forgot to mark the length with the pins. It was a whole ordeal.”
“I’m sorry,” Anna said. “That’s unfortunate.”
“Bothersome, more than anything. Regardless, I believe I’ll come by tomorrow.” Pere sighed. “I’ll let my brother have your attention for now—Henley can escort me. I just wanted to make sure you had no pressing matters that would keep you from visiting.”
“I’ll look forward to seeing you,” Anna replied, watching as Pere drifted toward her other brother.
“It’s times like these I appreciate my sister’s ability to communicate quickly and then vanish,” Lord Devon remarked.
Anna hid a laugh behind her gloved hand. “She does speak quickly. Though I’ve been accused of the same.”
His eyes crinkled with a smile. “I believe most ladies could say the same.”
“It’s one of our more charming qualities,” Anna teased.
As they walked, Anna considered what topic to introduce next. The weather? Safe, but dull. She was still weighing her options when a horse snorted beside her.
“What’s her name?” Lord Devon asked.
Anna approved of how easily he initiated conversation. It never came so naturally to her. “Hermes.”
“Ah, the god of travel and messages—not to mention speed.” He nodded. “An apt name?”
“She’s swift, certainly, though I’m rarely allowed the freedom to test her properly.”
“You sound regretful. Do you enjoy a fast ride?” he asked, a glint of amusement in his eye.
“Dear Lord,” came a low mutter.
Anna nearly missed it but couldn’t resist glancing back. Lord Allendale was glaring at his brother in silent reproach. Confused, she returned her attention to Lord Devon.
“Yes,” she replied. “There’s something freeing about the countryside passing in a blur.”
“Indeed,” Lord Devon said, shooting a meaningful look over his shoulder.
Anna shared a confused glance with Pere before turning back to her escort.
“Speed isn’t always the most important quality, Lady Anna,” Lord Allendale interjected, his deep voice drawing her gaze.
“Isn’t a horse’s worth more than her speed?
Pedigree, temperament—even beauty—matter more, do they not?
” Though his question was directed at her, he sent the final words to his brother.
“Indeed,” Lord Devon replied. “But I must say, Lady Anna, I do love a quick mare.” His eyes glinted as he glanced from her to Henley.
Something unspoken lingered in the air between the brothers. Anna couldn’t place it, but the tension was unmistakable. Lord Allendale’s words had held a sincerity uncommon in talk of horses—as if he hadn’t been referring to Hermes at all.
Choosing diplomacy over mystery, she smiled at both men. “You’re both correct. And thank you for championing my dear Hermes. She’s been a favorite of mine.”
“As she should be,” Lord Devon said smoothly.
Lord Allendale only nodded and glanced toward Pere, who was eyeing them curiously.
“The Serpentine should be lovely this time of year, with all the ducklings,” her mother added, reminding Anna of her presence.
“Oh, I love the ducklings!” Pere broke away from Henley and grabbed Anna’s arm. “My brother moves too slowly. Let’s go ahead.”
Anna released Lord Devon’s arm and followed her friend.
“I don’t know what that was about, but Henley looked like he was ready to start fighting again,” Pere murmured. “I’ll ask later and let you know.”
“I was wondering,” Anna replied. “I hate how we’re kept in the dark. There was definitely something going on between them.”
“There was—and I blame Edwin. Not that it reflects poorly on his character,” she added quickly. “He just talks in riddles. Henley’s far more frank.”
Anna nearly groaned. She knew all too well how frank Lord Allendale could be.
“I thought I’d steal you away before it escalated.”
“I’m glad you did,” Anna said, pausing as a mother duck swam into view, a dozen ducklings trailing behind her.
“I love it,” Anna breathed.
“The most adorable thing in all of London,” Pere agreed—then jumped when Henley appeared beside her.
“Why, you gave me a fright!” She jabbed an elbow toward him, but he stepped away with practiced ease.
“Then I suppose I shouldn’t share what’s in my handkerchief,” he teased, revealing a cloth-wrapped bit of breadcrumbs.
“You know, you are my favorite brother.”
“For now.”
“Still. Shouldn’t you be thankful for the moment—even if it’s fleeting?”
“Indeed. How magnanimous of you.”
Pere rolled her eyes but broke off a piece of bread. Henley grinned at her, and Anna quickly looked away, not wanting to be drawn in by that smile. Her heart was set on the elder brother. She had to stay focused.
“Look at them swim!” Pere clapped.
Anna watched the ducklings race toward the crumbs, the mother quacking as if asking for more.
“Won’t you continue on with me, Lady Anna?” Lord Devon appeared at her side, offering his arm again.
Anna hesitated, glancing at Pere, then at the bread in Henley’s hand. She wanted to feed the ducks too—but this was more important.
Wasn’t it?
She looked up and met Lord Allendale’s gaze. With a flash of understanding, he extended the handkerchief toward her.
“Come,” Lord Devon urged, beginning to lead her away.
Even as she followed, her hand stretched behind her—reaching for the crumbs.
She shouldn’t care. She shouldn’t.
Just then, something bumped her shoulder. She turned and saw a large hunk of bread at her feet.
Looking up, she met Pere’s wide-eyed, giggling expression and Lord Allendale’s overly innocent face, fixed firmly away from her.
“One moment,” she said, withdrawing from Lord Devon’s arm. A flicker of irritation crossed his features.
She stooped to retrieve the bread, broke it into smaller pieces, and tossed them into the water. The ducks swam eagerly to gobble them up.
She felt it before she saw it—someone’s eyes on her.
When she turned, she found Lord Allendale’s gaze.
He gave her the smallest nod, as though approving her decision. That he could see her so clearly was unsettling—and thrilling.
Her cheeks warmed. She turned back toward Lord Devon, accepting his arm again. But as they walked, she looked back.
Lord Allendale hadn’t taken his eyes off her.
Without thinking, she mouthed, Thank you.
His answering grin was almost shy. Boyish.
Her heart fluttered.
Then she turned back to Lord Devon, who walked beside her with practiced charm. Behind them, her mother followed a few steps behind.
This was the man she’d set her hopes on. The man she’d dreamt of marrying since she was young.
This was what she wanted.
Wasn’t it?