Chapter Twenty-Four
Anna lifted a biscuit onto her plate as Pere chattered away, her voice a soothing rhythm against the flutter in Anna’s heart.
Henley was meeting with her parents now.
Surely, he’d come to her the moment their conversation ended.
She bit her lip, feeling the butterflies stir at the thought of his gaze—intense, adoring—and all it promised for their future.
“Hello? Anna?” Pere’s voice cut in. “Are you even listening to a word I’m saying?”
Anna blinked. “Pardon?”
“That’s a no.” Pere sighed. “The sooner you two are married, the better. Maybe then you’ll be less distracted.”
Anna glanced around, checking to make sure no one could overhear.
“There’s no one here,” Pere said with a wave of her hand as she picked up another biscuit.
“Still,” Anna murmured, eyes flicking toward the door again.
Who could blame her for her anticipation?
“He’ll come here directly, don’t worry. He’s just as distracted by you as you are by him,” Pere said—then brightened. “See? There he is.”
Anna’s heart leapt as she turned. Henley strode toward them, his expression soft and warm, with that familiar light in his eyes. He bowed slightly as he took the seat beside them.
“Ladies.” His tone was teasing, but his voice dropped lower as he leaned in. “I bring only the expected news.”
He scanned the room, then looked back to Anna with quiet intensity. “However, I’ve a request—from your parents.” His expression tightened slightly.
Her curiosity piqued. “Yes?”
“They’d like you to head home early,” Henley said, choosing his words carefully. “Your father gave us a wedding gift.”
“Oh?” Anna asked, eyes darting to his mouth before she could stop herself.
She licked her lips.
Henley stared, his voice suddenly hoarse. “Dear Lord … your father is my favorite man in the world right now.”
“Oh?” she asked again, breath catching.
“Yes. Because his gift was a request—that we marry by special license.”
His voice was low, urgent, and when their eyes met, something hot and bright lit between them.
“Truly?” The smile that bloomed on her face reached her eyes.
“Truly.”
“In case anyone wonders,” Pere said loudly, “I’m still here. And wildly uncomfortable.”
Anna ignored her, leaning closer to Henley. “I’ll pack now.”
“I’ll take you to your mother—she’s waiting upstairs.” He paused, his eyes dropping to his hands before meeting hers again. “There’s something else. Information we’ll need to discuss later. Nothing urgent, nothing to concern you—but I wanted you to know that I know. If that makes sense?”
Anna tilted her head. “And I’m not to be concerned?”
“No.” His answer came quickly, gently. “You’ll understand when the time is right.”
“Very well, then.”
“If I may?” Henley stood and extended his hand.
Anna rose, placing her hand on his arm. “You always did walk rather slow, Pere.”
“I can speed up if you want,” Pere teased, rising too.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Henley said, guiding Anna toward the hall. Even through his coat, she felt the strength of his arm—and the steadiness of his soul.
As they walked, Henley glanced back at his sister. “And I’d be very grateful if you’d walk … extremely slow.”
“I live to serve,” Pere replied, taking an exaggeratedly dramatic step forward.
Anna bit back a giggle—his request echoed her own exact wish.
She’d have to thank Pere, profusely, later for her leniency.
Even a few stolen moments with Henley would be delicious.
Though he’d created several private moments before, this was different.
The security of his affection made the undercurrent of it all so much more powerful.
“I’m sure there’s much on your mind, but…” Henley glanced behind him and then tugged her over into a small window alcove.
The air pulsed with expectation, or maybe it was just the hammering of her heart as she looked up into his warm gaze.
Tenderly, he released her wrist and guided her hand to circle his neck as he placed his own hands on her hips and guided her close, his eyes searching hers.
“You’ll be gone before dinner and already I miss you.
” He lowered his chin and leaned forward, his nose tracing her jawline as his warm breath tickled her skin.
“Even three days seems like an eternity.”
“I know,” Anna whispered. “I know, and it’s torture.”
“The sweetest torture ever, and I’ll happily endure it, because the reward of your hand is worth any price.” He whispered the words against her skin, then feathered kisses along her jawline.
Anna’s fingers tightened on his neck, then tentatively, she laced them through his hair, using his locks as an anchor to tilt his head up, to meet his gaze.
Lifting up on her tiptoes, she boldly kissed his lips, leaning into the embrace as his hand cupped her cheek softly as he deepened the exchange.
He withdrew slightly, reluctantly, and Anna leaned forward, unwilling to end the kiss.
“I’ll not break, my lord,” she whispered, searching his eyes.
“Anna,” he murmured, tracing her cheek with his hand softly, his expression hot with intensity and need, but deliciously restrained.
“Henley,” Anna whispered, his name a prayer on her lips.
With a low groan, Henley took her lips, commanded them as he gently guided her to the alcove wall and pressed her against it with his deliciously warm body. “Three days,” he whispered against her lips before taking them again, his tongue teasing her in the most wicked of ways.
He tasted of heat, of longing, of promises that would bring greater pleasure.
Abruptly he withdrew, his eyes alight with desire and passion. “Three days, and I won’t need to remember my manners.” He spoke with a velvet tone.
Anna blinked, forcing her mind to focus, to tame the wild galloping of her heart and the way her body threatened to melt under his gaze. “Manners be damned.” Anna covered her mouth with her hand, then giggled.
“I share that sentiment entirely, however, in honor of your father’s great gift, I’ll not act on my sentiments. Rather, I’ll just live in torturous anticipation.” He leaned down and kissed her longingly. “Great anticipation. Because there’s something you need to hear rather than me just show you.”
“Oh?” Anna asked, her heart fluttering from his kiss.
“Yes, because though I’m sure you’re aware, I love you, Anna. More than I ever thought I could love, my heart is yours. So…”
Anna glanced behind him as Pere, rather loudly, stepped just below the alcove and began tapping her foot. “I’m turning around, because Lord knows I don’t need to see whatever is happening in that not-so-private room, but you have ten seconds. Don’t make me count out loud.”
Henley chuckled and then continued. “My heart is yours, so please keep it safe while we’re apart, and know I’ll be living every breath, every heartbeat in anticipation of seeing you soon.”
Anna bit her lip, her chest tingling with delight as she studied Henley’s expression. “And I love you.”
“Yes, yes, we all love one another but there’s a servant that’s headed—”
“Very well.” Henley stepped back and offered his arm to Anna.
Anna grinned as she followed him back to the stairs and gave a blushing smile to her friend. “Thank you.”
“I’d say you’re welcome, but it was rather awkward—and you definitely owe me,” Pere teased. “And I’ll keep an eye on him, so don’t worry, Anna.”
“Oh, the confidence that inspires,” Henley replied with a teasing tone.
Anna all but rolled her eyes as she looked ahead to the top of the stairs, only to have her blood run cold, all mirth evaporating. Henley’s arm flexed under her hand, and he shared a quick look with her before addressing his brother.
“Good afternoon, Edwin.” He offered a kind tone as the elder brother started down the stairs.
Edwin paused, then gave a sneer. “Good afternoon.” He turned to Anna. “Are you headed to your mother? I’m happy to escort you the rest of the way,” he proposed with a charming smile.
Anna gripped Henley’s arm tighter. “I thank you for your kind offer but I’m nearly there and Pere isn’t feeling well, so I’m going to ensure she gets to her room as well.” She hated her little lie but needed a reason for all three of them to stay together without raising suspicion.
Not that the news wouldn’t be public soon, but some instinct told her that her father had reservations about Edwin, and that was why she was being sent home early.
“Ah, I hope you improve soon, sister.” Edwin turned to Pere and seemed to study her for illness.
Pere slumped slightly, then gave a cough for good measure.
A rather pathetic attempt at a cough, but an effort nonetheless.
“Ah, well, I’ll leave to you it then. I’m sure Hen will make a great escort; he’s rather fatherly in that way, old soul.” He speared the jab at his brother and gave a cold smile.
Anna stiffened and took a breath to give a retort to Edwin but paused with Henley interrupted her. “Yes, maturity doesn’t always come with age, does it? Some of us are just born with it.” He shrugged, and then led Anna around Edwin, who had stopped on the stairs.
“Good afternoon, Edwin,” Pere replied sweetly, then seemed to remember her ruse and gave another pathetic cough.
Henley led them up the stairs and toward Anna’s parents’ chambers.
“And this is where I’ll leave you.” He took a step back and bowed properly, but there was nothing proper about the intensity of his gaze or the way his eyes lingered on her lips, making them tingle as if he’d just kissed them softly.
“How, you’re doing nothing improper, but it feels … like it is.” Pere gave a delicate shiver. “You two are going to be horrific to be around the first month.” Pere covered her mouth and glanced around, her breath rushing out when she realized they were indeed alone.
Sorry, she mouthed.
Henley gave her a teasing smile. “Soon, there will be no need to be cautious.”
“In any way,” Anna added.
“Okay, you’re just as bad as he is, and I’m now officially feeling nauseous.”
“I suppose it wasn’t a lie, then!”
“A sin canceled out.”
“It’s a blessed day.”
“Indeed, it is.”
“Go. Please. I beg you.” Pere all but shoved Anna to the door as she knocked for her.
Anna couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s antics and exaggerated expression as she glanced heavenward as if petitioning the almighty for patience.
The door opened and Anna started through the door, then paused, glancing back to Henley. With a final smile, she went to find her mother. There was much to plan, and with any luck, the three days would pass quickly.
They had to.