Chapter Fifteen
As the carriage approached the enormous manor on the outskirts of Bath, Anna took a breath of awe.
The gentle hills leading up to the estate were lush and vibrant from the spring rains, but the loveliest aspect was the air itself.
The briny essence of the ocean clung to each breath, a constant reminder that the sea was near.
Their carriage was part of a steady stream of arrivals, each taking their time to disembark and settle into their rooms. The staff bustled about as Anna followed a servant down the hall toward the grand staircase, likely leading to the second floor where the guest rooms were.
Maids carried heavy trays laden with tea to nearby parlors, while footmen opened doors and bowed respectfully to her family as they passed.
It wasn’t long before she was settled in a lovely room facing the back of the estate. Her window framed a rocky hill dotted with trees, and beyond, the sea shimmered in the distance.
“Anna?” Pere’s voice distracted her from the view.
Anna turned, smiling at her friend. Pere weaved around a footman carrying a trunk and nodded to a maid laying out a dress.
As she neared, she grasped Anna’s hands. “I’m so glad you’ve arrived! I’ve been waiting. Come, let’s go to my rooms and leave all this bustle behind.” She gestured toward the activity and tugged Anna toward the door.
Releasing her hand as they entered the hall, Pere led the way down another corridor.
“I wanted you nearby, close to the family wing. Have you seen all the guests? It’s madness downstairs!
It’s been ages since we hosted a house party!
” Pere’s enthusiastic tone echoed in the grand hallway.
“And my mother said every bachelor she invited accepted! That has to be in my favor, right?” She giggled.
“I’d think so! How many families did your mother invite?” Anna asked as Pere opened a door along the hall.
“These are my rooms. Unfortunately, I’m across the hall from Henley, but he’s the quieter one, so I don’t mind as much.
” She nodded toward a door farther down the hall.
“Come in! I already requested tea, so we won’t have to share the parlor downstairs.
” She led Anna into a small antechamber before opening another door into a petite parlor.
“I rather expected you’d want to be in the middle of all the suitors,” Anna said, picking up a biscuit and taking a bite.
“I want to make an entrance at dinner. Everyone’s exhausted from travel; I’ll give them a few hours’ rest before they start working for my attention.”
“How magnanimous.”
“I thought so!” Pere poured two cups of tea and handed one to Anna. “Now, we haven’t talked since last week—do you even know who was invited?” Her eyes twinkled as she sipped her tea and settled into a chair.
Anna took the seat across from her and shook her head. “No, I want every name! Continue.”
“Well,” Pere began, setting her cup down and leaning forward, her expression wide with delight.
“Mother asked me who I wished to attend, then added a few names herself. In all, there are eight very eligible bachelors. Let’s see—Lord Farthingham, Lord Dawson, Mr. Wrenwright, Mr. Drakewood.
” She ticked names off her fingers, then gasped.
“Oh! And I cannot fathom this—Mother invited Lord Hawthorne!”
Anna tilted her head. “Pardon? The Earl of Hawthorne? There’s only one Hawthorne we know of, isn’t there?”
“Yes.” Pere nodded emphatically. “Only one, thank God. We don’t need two.”
“Agreed. Why in heaven’s name did your mother invite him, of all people? That doesn’t make sense!”
“I asked her the same. And her answer was odd.”
“What did she say?” Anna leaned forward.
“She said, if there’s a scandal, everyone will assume. It’s a sort of protection for our family.”
Anna blinked. “That’s rather diabolical.”
“That’s my mother,” Pere replied dryly.
“Well…” Anna bit her lip. “He is a well-known rake.”
“Of the worst sort.”
“But honorable in the sense that he’s not one to go after debutantes.”
“Just anything else in a skirt.”
“Fair. But your mother wouldn’t see you as a risk, so I suppose I can see her reasoning…”
“You’re giving her more credit than I am. I think she’s daft. What’s dafter is that he accepted. He was one of the first to do so.” She shook her head in confusion.
“I … don’t know what to say.”
“Nor do I, other than this will be interesting.”
“I didn’t once think it wouldn’t be! Wow. Lord Hawthorne. He is rather dashing, in that dangerous, this is not going to end well way,” Anna speculated.
“Yes, that’s certainly true. I think Edwin is friends, or at least acquaintances, with him—they spent time at Eton together.”
“Interesting,” Anna mused, uncertain what to make of that. Lord Hawthorne wasn’t the type to have friends who didn’t share his sentiments, and that gave her an odd sensation in her belly.
“There are several other eligible gentlemen too.” Pere emphasized the word.
“Wonderful. A full week is a long time for a house party—it’s very generous of your family.”
“My mother is trying to tie up loose ends, as she puts it.” She sighed. “You’re one of them, so be aware.”
“A loose end?” Anna questioned, taking another biscuit.
“Oh, yes. You’re the only lady Edwin has pursued, and since my brother announced his intention to marry, you’re the prime candidate.
So, she’s not going to miss the opportunity to make it stick.
” Pere raised her teacup. “Not only have you captivated my brother, but you managed something no other woman has.”
Anna arched a brow and waited.
“You made my mother an ally in your quest. Brava!” Pere lifted her teacup.
Anna giggled and raised her cup as well, then they both took a sip.
Yet the amusement faded to tension. Matchmaking was an art, full of allurements and snares.
But what good was it to orchestrate a perfect way to secure Lord Devon’s promise if it was out of obligation or a perfect lure?
Would that hold his affection? Would it even require him to have affection at all?
More importantly, did that matter to her?
Was owning his name enough, or did she want something more?
What good was his name if she lacked the one thing she wanted? His heart.