Chapter Fourteen
The journey to Bath was at least two days, and as such, Henley elected to take his own conveyance to their ancestral home.
Without the necessary stops Pere would insist upon, not to mention his mother’s need to get some air, their journey would likely take three days.
Edwin had made a similar decision but hadn’t offered to make the journey in his brother’s company.
Not that Henley expected it—they were still at odds after last week’s visit to the Kinfields’.
It was rare that Henley could observe Edwin’s lack of composure in a public setting, so the afternoon at the Kinfields’ had been an entertaining delight.
Edwin had nearly been rude in his demeanor, yet even so, Henley hadn’t noticed a diminishing of Lady Anna’s regard for him.
Damn it all. It was remarkably frustrating, and he wasn’t sure what other actions he could possibly take to gain her favor.
Already, he’d put forth more attention and effort than his brother, but he was working against a strong current; her attentions were already bent toward Edwin and had been for some time.
Henley knew this, painfully so, but so did Edwin, who used it to his definite advantage.
A little charm went a long way when someone already liked you, and in Edwin’s case, the massive charisma that surrounded him like a proverbial cloud only enticed those already infatuated.
But infatuation wasn’t love, and Henley wouldn’t settle for anything less, nor did he want Anna to.
And that would be exactly what she would get from his brother. If there were an honorable way for him to tell her, he would—but there wasn’t.
The hills of northeast Somerset rolled green and gentle, the steeple of the church standing out in the distance like a welcome beacon in a season of so much disarray—at least in his life.
Another hour or so, and he’d arrive, likely the first to the estate.
The servants would be bustling about preparing for the many guests, but their manor could easily accommodate them all.
Built during the reign of Elizabeth I, the manor was designed in the shape of an E, with several wings outfitted for guest suites. His mother had invited multiple families, all with ladies of marriageable age, but also several gentlemen’s families she had been evaluating for Pere’s sake.
Henley took a deep breath of fresh country air, the slightly salty tinge a welcome contrast to the coal dust of London. It would be a good change of pace, and he was certain it would be a turning point for Lady Anna.
Already there were whispers of the banns being read for his brother and Anna at St. George’s, and each ball attended added fuel to the fire in seeing them together.
Odd, even though Henley had danced with her just as often—he’d made sure—the whispers never included his name. At least, the whispers that reached his ears. However, there was common ground he shared with Lady Anna, and she wasn’t as immune to his particular charms as she pretended.
He’d use it to his advantage, but under the watchful eyes of her parents and his, he’d have to mark his steps with caution.
Which led to another odd observation. Only that one time had he ever seen or heard of Edwin having a private moment with Lady Anna. Edwin didn’t try to secret her away, kiss her—to his knowledge—anything of the sort. It was strange, seeming as Henley would kiss her as often as she’d allow it.
So far, the count stood at once.
But he’d take it. He’d never been a shameless flirt or toyed with a woman’s emotions—that was usually Edwin’s forte—which was why the role reversal didn’t make sense.
He decided to pay closer attention. Maybe he was missing a detail in the equation. Or, maybe Edwin was being so circumspect because of his other evening activities.
Henley gave a sigh and leaned against the soft velvet of his carriage. It was going to be a long week.
Too soon, the carriage turned onto the long gravel drive that led to their estate.
Tall birch trees lined the small wood bordering their territory, which ended along a rocky shore where the ocean beat against age-old rocks.
It was one of his favorite paths—the trail along the sea.
How many times had he and Edwin spent their end-of-summer days skipping rocks and wading into the water?
That had all changed when Edwin left for Eton and decided that family were inferior to his friends.
Henley had struggled with the shift, but the cruelty with which Edwin treated him made the transition easier—to have him leave for school rather than stay.
It was during one of those rare visits that Henley recognized the way Pere’s best friend, Anna, nearly worshiped every word spoken by Edwin. Henley recognized it because it was how he adored her.
How poetic that this house party would determine much about the future of them all.
Or tragic.
Depending on how one considered it.
The carriage stopped in the front circular of the drive, the large stone structure rising up beside the flanking trees. A fountain bubbled to the left as Henley stepped out from the carriage, his boots crunching against the gravel.
“Am I the first, then?” He smiled at their estate housekeeper, Mrs. Goode.
Her mop cap was perfectly placed atop her gray curls, her blue eyes flashing with efficiency.
“Indeed, not that I’m surprised. I figured it would be you and had the cook make a custard pie for dessert tonight, in case.”
Henley grinned. “You’re too good to me, Mrs. Goode.”
“’Tis my name, might as well live up to it,” she stated matter-of-factly, the same way she’d said it his whole life.
Henley started up the stairs and into the house.
“I’ll send tea into the green parlor, if you’d like?”
He nodded. “It would be most welcome.”
“I expect so.” She scurried off toward the kitchens, likely to attack her next task.
Henley meandered to the green parlor, enjoying the silence and the fact it would be short-lived.
He had just started his second cup of tea when his brother’s voice shattered the peace.
“Damn, I thought I won.” He took a seat and poured himself a cup. “Did you not stop at all, then?”
Henley shrugged but grinned. “I did. Once. I wanted as much time to myself as possible before the chaos descends.”
“You mean Mother.”
“And Pere, and all the other ladies.”
Edwin set his cup down. “I’m not sure what Mother was thinking, inviting all those young women. It’s going to be bloody irritating. I already told her I plan to leave betrothed.” His eyes lifted and speared Henley, his words a targeted shot.
Henley nodded. “I assumed that was your plan. But with any ideas, they can certainly change.” He leaned back on the sofa, faking confidence he didn’t feel.
“Or become more certain. Depends on your level of delusion.” Edwin scoffed.
“Don’t you dare do anything to hinder my plans either.
No little stunts like last week where you dodge my questions and then show up exactly where you don’t belong.
” He snorted. “It made you look like a fool, which, because you’re unfortunately my blood relation, reflects badly on me. ”
“And everything is about you.”
“Yes, right now, it is. And it would do well for you to remember that. No one, and I mean no one, expects her to do anything other than marry me. It’s all the gossip, and if she doesn’t…” He opened his hands wide and shrugged.
“If she doesn’t?” Henley leaned forward, brows knitting.
“If she doesn’t, then people will wonder why. And they will whisper about … her. Ruining her. You don’t want that for her, do you? Do you really want to be the reason people whisper behind her back? Question what’s wrong?”
“And automatically, everyone would assume it’s her problem, and nothing to do with you?” Henley asked, sarcasm evident in his tone.
Yet Henley understood his brother’s words. It wasn’t how the ton worked, ferreting out truth. They wanted the most delicious morsel of gossip, the most lurid. Lady Anna failing to hold the affections of the one clearly courting her? It was a done deal. They’d question why.
And it wouldn’t look good for her.
How he hated the validity of his brother’s words, but hell if he’d let it show on his face or admit it with his words.
“Be that as it may, I do believe it is still undecided at the moment.”
“So you’ve mentioned.” Edwin sighed, leaning back and closing his eyes. “It’s too bloody quiet here.” Edwin took a sip of tea and frowned.
“Pardon?”
“There’s no noise, just the damn birds.”
“I believe birds qualify as noise,” Henley added.
“And I’ll be away from the city for two weeks.”
“And the city holds a special fondness for you?” Henley asked, though he was beginning to understand where his brother’s thoughts were leading.
Edwin opened one eye and speared Henley with an irritated gaze. “Yes. It has far more … opportunity.”
“Said like a true rake.”
“No.” Edwin sat forward. “A rake doesn’t care about his actions—he’ll do whatever, whenever, with whomever.”
“A glowing character report.”
“I am selective.”
“Which makes it so much holier.” Henley rolled his eyes.
“No, but I’m not trying to be holy. It’s a delicious, and rather selective, way to be wicked.” He winked at his brother and leaned back, resting his eyes.
“Good chat. So thankful to be part of that tender moment,” Henley replied. “On that note, I think I’ll find my rooms and take a short rest before the theatrics begin.”
“Pere?” Henley asked. “She is rather dramatic at times.”
Edwin sat forward once more. “You know, I rather thought she’d be married already.”
Henley paused. “Did you think she’d find a suitor the first night and announce the banns the next day?”
Edwin blinked. “When you state it that way, I suppose not. But, well, I suppose she takes some getting used to. Never mind.”
“I usually don’t,” Henley muttered under his breath. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
Edwin waved him off and leaned back, closing his eyes.
Henley took the stairs toward his rooms, his mind churning over Edwin’s words.
His points were valid, and it was also certain that Edwin wasn’t expecting to remain faithful to his wife when he married her, which was another cause for alarm.
Pere would kill her husband in his sleep if she found him unfaithful.
He couldn’t imagine that Anna would be any different.
But the hurt that accompanied such betrayal was beyond what he wished on anyone.
It was a miracle Edwin hadn’t produced a by-blow at this point on the wrong side of the blanket. It was only a matter of time. Or maybe he skipped that lesson in anatomy.
Regardless, Henley had no ally in his endeavor to win Anna’s affections. Not even Anna.
But that wasn’t reason enough to give up.
Rather, this would be his fight. He would either win—or go down swinging.