Chapter Twenty-Six #2
Guests approached them as they held court, and they offered their thanks, while also satisfying the ton’s need to see the unexpected couple.
Anna leaned back slightly, just enough to feel the pressure of Henley’s hand at the small of her back.
Teasingly, his fingers tickled along her spine.
She gave him a quick look, to which he raised an eyebrow and trailed his hand a little lower.
Anna couldn’t help the blush that certainly bloomed on her cheeks as she welcomed yet another guest.
When that guest moved on, Henley’s voice teased her ear. “I love that color of pink on your cheeks, and I love even more that I’m the cause of it.”
“You’re usually the cause of it,” Anna replied with a saucy tone.
“I’m entirely too distracted by you; I can’t even remember who we just spoke to.” He looked down at her, and her breath caught.
Everything that simmered behind his gaze was the very reason she wanted to throw caution to the wind, and propriety, and leave their wedding breakfast unforgivably early.
“We should circulate among the guests. It might aid me in keeping my hands off of you for a little while longer.” His fingers brushed the silk buttons along the back of her gown.
A possessively delicious tingle flickered through her. Mine. He was hers, and the realization was heady, intoxicating, and it was only because he was leading her that she left their corner of the ballroom and walked into the sea of people.
Anna studied the people as they milled about, their expressions all ranging from amused to quiet interest. It would be the talk of the ton for a week, and then something new and sensational would be the on-dit. And she’d be happy to no longer be in the limelight.
“I don’t believe I’ve offered my congratulations yet.”
Anna turned to the voice and gave a polite grin, then noted the way Henley chuckled then shook Lord Hawthorne’s hand. “Well, you did have a front row seat for part of it, I felt your silent encouragement.”
“I was pulling for you, for certain.” His charming smile flickered away, then back to Henley but not before a hint of uncertainty crossed his expression.
Curious, Anna glanced to where his eye had landed. Her brow furrowed then smoothed into a welcoming smile as Pere came to stand beside her.
“Officially my sister, I knew it.”
Anna gave her a wry grin.
“One way or another.” Pere flicked her wrist.
“That … was not tactful, sister.”
“It’s part of my charm.”
Lord Hawthorne chuckled and covered it with a cough.
“Are you well?” Pere asked, her brow rising.
Anna watched with interest as Lord Hawthorne gave a shake of his head, though his lips curled into a small smile.
“Yes, quite well, my lady.”
“You seem to do that a lot. The coughing that sounds suspiciously like laughter.” Pere tipped her chin, regarding him.
“Watching me?” Lord Hawthorne asked boldly.
Anna shared a glance with Henley, who seemed equal parts amused and confused.
“No.” Pere flushed, then gathered her wits. “It’s hard to ignore such a … conspicuous reaction.” Then she added, “My lord.”
“Ah, and here I was taking your interest in my health as a compliment.”
“I assure you it wasn’t meant to be regarded as interest,” Pere said through closed teeth, her smile not matching her tone.
Lord Hawthorne reached out and grasped her hand, lifting it to his lips. “Pity, that.” He released her hand and then turned back to Henley. “Again, my congratulations to you both.” With a devilish smile to Pere, he turned his back and took his leave.
“That … was interesting,” Anna whispered to Henley.
“Irritating. The word you’re looking for is irritating. And, yes, I heard you. It’s not like you whispered that quietly.” Pere gave a shake of her head and regarded her friend with a patient smile. “Now, before I was interrupted—”
“I think you interrupted him,” Henley interjected.
“I saw you first,” Pere replied.
“He was here first,” Henley responded, earning a glare from his sister.
“Be that as it may, I’m family. I take priority, which speaking of family, Mother wishes a word.” Pere’s expression softened. “She’s waiting by the door.”
“Door?” Henley asked, just as Anna did.
“Did I not make myself clear? You two concern me.” Pere waved them off and nodded toward the exit.
“We’ll take our leave to go and find her,” Henley answered his sister.
He tenderly guided Anna through the people, nodding to the gentlemen as they offered one-word felicitations. Anna could see Lady Devon, giving directions to a servant as she stood beside the exit to the ballroom.
“Mother.” Henley bowed in greeting.
“Lady Devon.” Anna followed and watched as Henley’s mother regarded both of them with a humility not often present in her expression.
“I … am very happy to have you as family, Anna. And, Henley, to express my affection to you and your new wife, I bid you good day.” She arched a brow and waited.
Henley frowned, looked to Anna and then back to his mother.
Anna’s lips grew into a wide grin as understanding dawned. “Thank you.” Anna curtsied and tugged on Henley’s hand, arching a brow as he looked at her, then his mother, a slow grin spreading from his lips to his expression before he gave his mother a very heartfelt thank-you.
Lady Devon gave a rare smile and started back into the ballroom. “Shall we?” Henley asked, his words warm, welcoming, sounding like home.
She wanted to say something—anything to mark the moment—but no words came. Only the wild thrum of her heart, and the certainty blooming in her chest that this man, this love, was worth everything it took to get here.
Anna didn’t reply, merely kissed him quickly on the mouth, and squeezed his hand as they made their escape. Now, at last, the rest of the day belonged to them.
And oh, how she planned to make the most of it.