Chapter Nineteen #3
“Well, I need to make myself clear and soon, because I abhor the idea of being dishonest in my affections.” Anna frowned. “Even though I feel as if I’m already guilty of such a sin.”
Pere patted her hand gently.
“I need to speak with Lord Devon,” Anna said, twisting her hands.
Her mind swirled with anxiety—how was she to begin, let alone say everything that needed saying?
“Yes, yes you do.” Pere frowned, her chestnut brows crinkling over her fair skin.
“And I think I can help.” Pere stood and smoothed her skirt.
“Everyone is just finishing breakfast, and I can ask him to the parlor, one that won’t be used as often by guests …
and you can easily have a few moments of privacy. ”
“That seems risky. All we need is one person to see us and what I’m trying to do will be undone because I’ll be considered compromised by being alone with him.” Anna breathed deeply. “But this conversation can’t exactly happen in polite company, you know?”
“I know, and I’ll be close, so if I see someone coming, I’ll just come in the room, and you present with me and my brother?
Not scandalous at all. It’s the perfect solution.
” Pere shrugged. “You’re wound up tight, I can see that by the way you keep biting your lip, Anna.
But the faster it’s finished, the faster you can put this behind you. ”
“You’re correct, of course. How should I start? You know your brother well…”
Pere gave a huff. “He might be my brother, but I claim no special understanding of him. He confuses me as much as the next person. But…” Pere glanced down to her shoes and back to Anna, meeting her gaze directly.
“I assure you that what will take the most damage is his pride, so do your best to soothe that. Only because it will go smoother for you. He’s rather accustomed to getting his way; this will be quite shocking for him.
And I must wickedly admit, part of me is happy over that. ”
“Pere!” Anna scolded but smiled, unable to help herself.
“I know, it’s terrible but, well, he always, and I do mean always, gets his way. My mother can be quite doting on him.”
“I understand.” Anna nodded, then stood. “Very well, shall we?”
“Yes.” Pere started toward the manor, her footsteps light on the gray crushed gravel.
“I’ll take you to the parlor first, then go and collect my brother.
It shouldn’t take too long, but if I don’t return in a quarter hour, then just go on your way and I’ll find you later and we’ll try something else. ”
“I understand,” Anna answered, her heart pounding in her chest.
As promised, Pere led them through the house to a backroom type parlor that wasn’t on the main hall where the guests would congregate.
When she left Anna with a tight smile, Anna’s already-pounding heart picked up speed once more.
Taking a seat, she bit her lip and almost started to take fistfuls of her dress in her hands but halted before she made a crushing wrinkled mess of the muslin.
Standing, Anna started to slowly pace back and forth along the back of the sofa in the middle of the room.
Small rectangular windows that let in light and a cold hearth were the only defining features of the room, that and the acute soundlessness of the room.
No birds were heard through the windows, and her slow steps were the only noise, not even a ticking clock helped her pass the moments of waiting.
As she paced, she considered how to open the conversation, wishing there was some way he’d simply call everything off on his own. But that wasn’t likely.
“Honestly, Pere. Why are we going to this dungeon of a parlor?” Footsteps preceded Edwin’s voice in the hall.
Anna stopped her pacing and forced a smile to her face as she turned to the door and waited.
“I know it’s small, but I prefer to think of it as cozy,” Pere answered her brother and then preceded him in the room.
She caught Anna’s eye and gave a tense grin.
As Edwin came into the room, he paused when he noticed Anna, giving her a curious glance, and he quickly bowed. “Lady Anna. If I had known you’d be here I wouldn’t have delayed.”
“It’s of no consequence, Lord Devon. Won’t you sit?” Anna gestured to a chair, then swallowed hard, forcing a deep breath and a calm expression on her face.
“Of course.” He walked farther into the room and stood in front of the chair, waiting for Anna to find her own seat and sit first.
“I’ll … be right back,” Pere said, then disappeared out to the hall.
Edwin turned to his sister’s retreating back, frowned, then looked to Anna.
His frown shifted to a wolfish grin. “Ah, remind me to thank my sister. I’ve been scheming to find a way to have you to myself for a few moments.”
Anna sat on the sofa, and without invitation, Edwin abandoned his chosen seat and sat beside Anna. He reached out and grasped her hand, lacing his fingers through her gloved ones. Leaning slightly forward, he tugged her close.
Anna resisted and sucked in a tight breath. “I have something that needs to be said, my lord.” She kept her attention on her lap, then when he hesitated, glanced up to meet his eyes.
“And I have something that needs to be said as well, Lady Anna.” He murmured the words, lacing his tone with a seductive charm that was ineffective.
Anna nodded. “If I may go first?” she asked, half praying he said no.
“As always, ladies first.” He gestured with his hand that wasn’t holding hers.
Anna tugged her intertwined hand away and twisted slightly so that she was facing him fully.
His eyes tightened slightly as she withdrew her hand, but he didn’t protest. “If you’re concerned with the fact I haven’t formally spoken for you, rest assured that the matter is in hand.” He reached up, cupping her cheek, rubbing his thumb along her jawline.
It felt wrong, and she forced herself not to offend him by jerking away from his touch.
How was it that she’d dreamed of this sort of affection and attention from him for years, and now that she had it, she was refusing it?
As if to test her own emotions, she gave herself a moment to think of Henley, and if it were his touch on her face.
Immediately her skin grew hot, and her body tingled with satisfaction and need, all at once.
“Your blush says more than your words,” Edwin replied, inching closer. “I’ll make the announcement tonight, if that will appease you?” he whispered, his eyes lowering to her lips.
Anna forced herself back to the present and blinked. “Actually, that is what I wish to discuss.”
“I’m aware.” Edwin shrugged. “But this moment is far too private to let it be spent in speaking…” He leaned forward, his lips parting slightly.
“No, my lord.” Anna retreated, then decided more distance was necessary and stood.
“I didn’t realize you were so shy.” Edwin stood as well, taking slow steps toward her as if not wanting to cause her to startle.
Anna frowned. This wasn’t going according to plan, not that she’d had a plan. “Lord Devon.”
“Edwin, if you wish. I’d love to call you by your given name…”
Anna gave a tight smile and deliberately stated.
“Lord Devon, I am miscommunicating my reasons for wishing to speak with you, and I’d like to give complete clarity to the conversation immediately,” she started and watched as his expression grew confused, then tight as if impatient and bored all at once.
“I am flattered that your attentions have been so singular, and while at first I welcomed your pursuit, I need to inform you that I cannot entertain a proposal from you, as it would be dishonest to my heart and take advantage of yours.” Anna released a tight breath and waited.
“Pardon?” Lord Devon blinked, then tilted his head with an angry smirk to his lips. “You do not wish for my attentions? As in, this entire house party was set up to make a grand proposal, and you’re disinterested?” He rubbed the back of his neck and took a step back.
“I wanted to inform you as soon as I had made a decision, but I regret that it took me so long to come to that decision.”
“You regret?” He scoffed. “Everyone back in London expects us to return betrothed. Do you know the whispers that will follow you and me after we return without a formal alliance?”
“This is why I wished to tell you immediately, so that we can respectfully inform our families to alleviate any potential scandal. It’s a mutual—”
“This is not mutual.” He slashed his hand through the air. “This is one-sided, in more than one way.” He paused and regarded her coldly. “I expected more from you than this; of all the ladies, I picked you. How foolish of me.” He sneered the words.
Then he narrowed his eyes, and took a step toward her, and then another. Anna stepped backward, knocked into a table, and then scurried around it, placing it between them.
“I could force the issue, you know. You’re alone with me.” He traced her form with his gaze, giving a threatening chill down her spine.
“You could, but you wouldn’t,” she said with more conviction than she felt.
“Perhaps.” He regarded her. “Besides, my sister is likely just outside the door and would take your side. Leaving me the villain in the drama.”
Anna didn’t respond, just waited. Footsteps sounded in the hall and a moment later, Pere walked in as if his words had summoned her.
“Do we wish for tea?” Pere asked, as if one couldn’t cut the tension in the room with a dull butter knife.
“No, I think I’m finished here.” Anna darted around the table and toward the door of the parlor where Pere stood. “I believe we should see what the others are doing before we’re missed.”
“Yes, please run away, it’s not like I have any expectations of you now.” Lord Devon turned and regarded her coldly, his eyes dark and stormy with irritation.
“Good day, Lord Devon,” Anna remarked and started out the door.
“I know you had a part to play in this, Pere, I won’t forget,” Lord Devon called to Pere as they left.
“That didn’t sound kind,” Anna remarked to her friend as they started to the hall, Anna keeping her pace quick.
Pere shrugged. “That’s Edwin. I wasn’t lying when I said he was used to getting his way. This … won’t sit well. So be prepared. Not that he’d do anything to hurt you, it’s just, his pride will not let him let it go, at least not today.”
“Delightful,” Anna responded. “Why didn’t you tell me of this side to his character?” Anna asked, not angry just curious.
Pere’s expression grew worried. “I honestly didn’t think it would apply to you; it’s more of something I experience as a sister, so I just assumed it was only because of that relationship. Now, though, I’m seeing how that was a misstep. Can you forgive me?”
Anna grabbed her friend’s arm as they took a turn in the hall toward the main rooms. “There’s nothing to forgive. I can understand why you thought what you did, I was just inquisitive.”
Pere twisted her lips and gave a worried look to Anna.
“What is it?”
Pere sighed and stopped just before the main parlor’s entrance. “He’s going to be far angrier when he realizes who has stolen your heart,” Pere whispered. “And that … will be a battle you do not need to fight, but I think … it would be wise to let Henley know what’s afoot.”
Anna nodded. “Henley can take care of himself, I’m sure.”
“That is not my concern. Henley manages Edwin just fine. Edwin knows that Henley could mop the floor with him if it came to blows—” Pere stopped and glanced to her friend.
Anna raised an eyebrow.
“Not that it will come to that,” Pere replied. “Regardless, let’s find Henley. And perhaps you should speak with your parents, just so they don’t give permission to someone who will not take no for an answer,” her friend added meaningfully.
“Very well, I’ll find my parents first. Shall we meet just before we leave for the picnic?”
“Yes. God speed, friend. And for what it’s worth, you handled it well. I know that was a hard conversation, with a difficult individual.”
“Thank you. And thank you for being present, even if unseen.” Anna squeezed her friend’s arm and released it. “See you soon.”
Anna strode down the hall to do the final piece of saying goodbye to a dream that had quickly turned into a nightmare.