Chapter Eighteen
Sleep eluded him entirely; he hadn’t even yawned once.
He lay in his dark room, the crackling fire in the hearth the only other sound besides his frustrated breath.
His fingers twitched, restless energy bursting out in little spasms. Anna always lingered in his thoughts, but tonight was different.
For years, she’d haunted his waking and sleeping dreams, but always she’d been out of reach, or the timing had been all wrong.
It was like his mind and body both knew the window of opportunity had finally arrived, and fear and courage warred within him.
He’d known for years that her attention had always lingered on Edwin, his far too charming brother with the disloyal heart, but tonight …
her gaze lingered on him. As if she was finally opening her eyes to something, someone, else—not because he’d stolen a kiss or forced her to converse, but because she wanted to.
Good Lord, that was a heady, elating thought.
She looked at him like she was willing to see something she’d been denying. When her eyes widened at their touch, her skin flushed a delicate pink that made his body respond immediately. He nearly swore, needing to escape before his body betrayed him.
All it took was an innocent touch—and he was burning. Yet he could see it in her eyes as he whispered to her, needing to say the words before leaving the room, before losing all reason and kissing her. She wanted to pretend it wasn’t that real, that powerful, that … life-changing.
But he knew it was—as much for her as for him.
He shifted onto his side, the sheets twisting around his legs until he kicked them off in irritation. If she didn’t respond to his touch, his words, his kiss, he could let her go. He would. Against his own desires, he’d always choose what was best for her, what she needed, over himself.
He would show her—not with grand compliments, fancy charm, or anything else—but in the silent way he noticed, the way he stayed, the way he spoke truth and acted with his heart.
With a low growl, Henley rose from the bed, his bare feet slipping into soft leather shoes as he strode to the fire.
He quickly dressed in loose breeches and a half-buttoned shirt.
He needed air, maybe a drink, but more likely he would find himself in the library.
Silently, he stepped into the hall, the sconces flickering as he closed his door and started down the corridor.
The sound of a door opening caused him to freeze; his eyes darted toward the noise.
“Pere?” he whispered softly, blinking when Anna stepped into the hall.
Her golden hair was unpinned, hiding half her face as she turned to close the door with a near-silent click.
Henley noted the way her bare feet peeked out from beneath her nightdress and robe.
A delightful stir of intimacy moved him, inspiring and rekindling the flame she’d started earlier.
He hesitated—should he speak? Or would that startle her? Or would she surprise him by looking up and seeing him watching?
He quickly decided to whisper her name. “Lady Anna…” he murmured, taking a step toward her.
She stilled, then glanced up, alarm melting into recognition and then embarrassment. She clutched her robe tighter around her.
“You’re still awake?” Anna asked, her gaze darting up and down the hall.
“As are you,” Henley replied, watching her narrow her eyes playfully.
“Yes, I was chatting with your sister.”
“As is apparent, since that”—he nodded toward the door she’d just exited—“is her room.”
“Why are you awake?” she asked, dismissing his obvious observation.
She studied him, taking a few steps closer.
“I couldn’t sleep.” He shrugged.
It was more than that—sleep wasn’t just elusive; it was impossible.
“Oh?” She hesitated, as if unsure whether to ask more.
In for a penny, in for a pound, Henley thought. “Too much … thinking.” He reached out, tugged on a loose curl, and released it immediately, but his hand burned from the sensation of touching her hair.
“About?” she asked, tipping her chin.
He gave a low chuckle. “I’d think it obvious, but I’m happy to explain if needed.”
Anna’s face bloomed with color, visible even in the soft candlelight of the hallway. “Oh.”
Henley waited a moment to see if she’d inquire further.
“I’m restless too … I just…” She took a breath and paused.
“Want some air? It’s a little close in here, don’t you think? I think the stars are preferable to walls on a night like this.” He offered his arm to her, waiting. It was always her choice.
“Dressed like this?” She ran a hand down her night attire.
“It’s warm, and there’s very little breeze. I won’t tell if you won’t.” He gestured to his own attire. “I’m not dressed for polite society either, so we match.”
Anna’s soft laugh was muted, but her smile let him know he’d won the argument.
“Where do you suggest we go?” she asked, her hand tentatively reaching out to rest on his offered arm. Her featherlight touch sent shock waves through him, as if all prior thoughts of her had sparked electricity.
Henley swallowed and regarded her. “How adventurous do you feel?”
Lady Anna’s brows shot up, then a smile softened her features. “Slightly.”
Nodding, Henley led them down the hall toward the stairs. “I can work with that. It’s good you’re feeling a little brave since we’re taking the servants’ stairs.”
“Oh, and what would you have done if I hadn’t felt adventurous?” Anna asked, her soft footsteps in sync with his as he opened a door and led them into a dark hall.
“I’d accommodate you, of course. But this is a more direct route.”
“To?” Anna asked as she gracefully started down the staircase.
The air was fresh in the dark hall, likely from servants using the door below frequently during the day to haul guests’ trunks to their rooms. A few small candles flickered, offering weak light but enough to see each creaking wooden step.
Henley twisted the handle on the door at the foot of the stairs and opened it wide for Lady Anna. “Outside, of course.”
Anna’s soft gasp confirmed he’d chosen wisely. The full moon hung brightly in the sky, giving the effect of a weak silver sun illuminating the grounds around them. In the distance, an owl called.
“It truly would be a shame to miss such a lovely night. Did you know the moon was full?” She turned to study him, her cream skin silvered in the moon’s glow.
“I couldn’t sleep, remember? I spent some time by the window. My rooms face this direction, and it’s one of my favorite views in the world,” he answered. “I was about to escape here when I found you and convinced you to join me.”
“It took a lot of convincing,” she teased.
“I can be charming when I want,” Henley responded, then reached out and offered his hand rather than his arm.
Anna’s gaze dropped to his offered hand, and slowly, tentatively, she reached out her ungloved fingers and grasped his.
Henley watched as her hand matched his, and he breathed a deep breath of victory when he gently tugged her closer and she didn’t resist. “Come.”
Anna’s hand fit perfectly within his, and he marveled at the softness of her skin and the warmth of her touch as he wound around a few hedgerows and into a low-walled garden.
“There’s a fountain in the center, and several stone benches.
It’s the perfect place to watch the stars.
” Henley spoke in a tone just above a whisper.
“It’s so much darker here than in London—even with the full moon,” Anna mused.
“Indeed.” Henley led her to the fountain and gestured to a stone bench. “This one faces east—we can watch the moon set.” He waited until she sat, then eased himself down beside her, not releasing her hand.
“It’s so quiet too,” Anna whispered. “I feel like if I speak louder than a whisper, surely those in the house will wake from the noise.” She glanced toward the house, then back at him.
“It might seem that way, but I assure you, I have spent many an hour here at night, watching the stars and the moon, and not once did my parents suspect. One night…” He turned to face her fully.
Her smile encouraged him to continue.
“I saw lightning in the distance and decided to come out here to watch the storm. After a few minutes, I realized my mistake—the estate was directly in the storm’s path.
The rain began, and I thought about going back inside.
Then lightning struck a tree just over there.
” Henley pointed to a dark row of trees lining the sparse woods.
“It split the tree, and the crack was so loud my ears rang. The thunder afterward was just as loud, and I decided it was time to run inside.” He gave a self-deprecating chuckle.
Anna’s eyes had grown wide; a quiet gasp escaped.
“In the morning, I overheard the butler telling my father about a tree that had been struck and needed removal since it was in view of the manor, and my mother insisted the grounds be kept presentable, as she put it. My father questioned the butler, stating he hadn’t heard any storm, let alone thunder the night before.
Only after the butler assured him it was a storm did my father believe him and ask the steward to send men to remove the tree. ”
“Was it black from the lightning? Did it split in two?” Anna asked, her expression animated as she squeezed his hand tighter.
Henley nodded. “Both, and the split caused a large portion of the tree to fall. Took them a day or two to sort out the mess. I would know—I watched.”
“I would have watched too! How fascinating. And shocking it didn’t catch fire.”
“Oh, it did,” Henley corrected her. “But the rain came down in earnest shortly after, and the flames were short-lived.”
“That’s good. I can’t imagine how your mother would react if the whole view were charred.” She giggled, then covered her lips with her hand.
“Don’t.” Henley reached up with his free hand and softly moved her hand away from her face.
Her eyes widened, but she allowed him.