“The part about Lord Luminport using you to get closer to Caro—yes, unfortunately. Caro heard, which means others did,” Leah said, putting a hand on Anna’s forearm. “I am so very sorry, sweet Anna. You did not deserve that.”
Anna looked to Phoebe, who still wore a disapproving frown. “I did not mean for any of this to happen. I promise, I was not trying to manipulate Caro. I just… want true love and happiness for her, and I think I know Percival well enough to understand that he could never provide that. He does not even believe in love. He wanted to pursue her because of your husband, Phoebe, to improve his prospects and his social standing.”
“But lovemighthave blossomed,” Phoebe replied. “It was not your place to decide for her.”
Matilda cast Phoebe a sharp look. “Of course it was. Caro is our friend. Wouldyounot intervene if you thought a friend was making a mistake? Why, I haveheardyou intervene. Do not make this any worse for Anna than it already is.” She gave Anna’s shoulders a squeeze. “Besides, all you need do is look at her success to understand that she is an expert at what she does.”
“But I fear opinion will change,” Olivia interjected, her expression sorrowful. “I mean no offense, Anna, but society will begin to question your ability, regardless of your success. Goodness, I do hope it does not cause any of your matches to reconsider their affection for one another.”
On the brink of crumbling entirely, Anna managed to choke out, “And that is precisely why I needed to keep it a secret. A secret once shared is not a secret anymore.”
And now, the burden she had thought to be halved was now doubly heavy upon her shoulders, for she knew she was about to lose everything she had worked so diligently to achieve. Her friends knew it, the whispering guests knew it, and that was a greater heartbreak than any gentleman had ever inflicted.Almostany gentleman.
“If you will excuse me, I have a hermitage to retreat to.” Anna bowed her head and slipped free of Matilda’s protective arm, hurtling back through the crowd with her eyes fixed on the flagstones, until someone caught her as she was about to run down from the terrace.
“All will be well,” Dickie whispered, holding her steady. “I promise, all will be well.”
Anna allowed herself to be led away, as she whispered, “Dickie, do not make promises that cannot be kept.”
By tomorrow, her secret would be out, splashed across the pages of the scandal sheets. The Matchmaker’s reign of joy and hope was over, for, as everyone kept alluding, who could trust in the efforts of a woman who could not even find love for herself? Indeed, who could trust a woman who had been kissed once and rejected twice, all in the same evening?
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
“Do you want her to be ruined?” Max hissed. “I knew it was a mistake to invite you to stay at Harewood Court while your own estate was being repaired. I knew something bad was going to happen. I could feel it brewing, and yet I let my sympathy for you cloud my judgment.”
Percy bristled at the reprimand. “I have never wished harm upon your sister. Thelastthing I want is for her to be ruined.”
Which is why I should not have kissed her, not when she was in such a state of confusion.He still did not know what had possessed him to press his lips to hers in that moment, but it was as if he would have gone mad if he had not. And though he knew his actions were shameful, he did not regret what he had done. It was the circumstance he regretted, and the haste and anger in which she had departed.
“If you would just permit me to go after her, I can remedy this,” Percy added, gesturing to the still-open door.
Max shook his head, looking every bit the powerful duke he had become. “You have done quite enough for one evening. Fortunately, I do not think this will cause any lasting harm to Anna’s character, for I only overheard Lord Luminport whispering to a few old friends. Gentlemen do not gossip nearly as much as ladies. But I suspect the true extent of this evening will be revealed tomorrow.”
“What makes you think I do not care for her?” Percy said suddenly, incensed by the fact that his dearest friend had not even considered it.
Max narrowed his eyes. “Because I know you, Sinclair. We have spoken at length, throughout our friendship, about your preferences and your problems.” He jabbed a finger at the Orangery doors. “My sister is a… delicate creature. She is like a flower and her years in society have taken petal after petal from her, and I will not allow you to be the one to finally make her wilt. You do not want what she wants.”
“Can a man not change what he wants?”
“Some can, but you are both alike and utterly opposite to my brother in that regard—you are too embedded in your ways to ever change much.” Max squared his shoulders. “More to the point, I have seen your arguments with my sister, Sinclair. You do not care for her. If you did, you would not speak to her that way.”
Percy balked. “And what of the manner in which she speaks to me? Do you think I would accept that from just anyone?”
“Are you saying that youdocare for her?” Max said bluntly. “I suggest you be very careful with your answer, for it may dictate the rest of your life.”
Breathing hard, nerves writhing in his belly, he let his mind drift back to the moment he had held Anna in his arms: the softness of her hair, the scent of jasmine and citrus, the press of her face against his chest, and the tight grip of her arms around his waist. How small and precious she had been, and how dearly he had wished to do anything to protect her in that instant.
From there, his mind wandered to the way in which she had kissed him back, nervous but eager, her palms resting against his chest, no doubt feeling the thud of his heart beating fast. How swiftly she had relaxed in his embrace, as if she too had been waiting for that moment.
But then, his mind darted elsewhere, to the afternoon in which he had revealed the secrets of his past to her. Something had changed after that. She had softened toward him, as he had softened toward her. But what if it was mere pity that had caused the change?
With a breath, he returned his thoughts to just before they kissed. She had told him she was confused, she had told him she was heartbroken, she had been at her lowest ebb, and had asked him to leave her alone. She had told him that kissing her was not what a friend should do, and the more he thought about it, the more confusedhebecame.
“I care for her,” he said stiffly.
“In what way?” Max pressed.
Percy swallowed. “As a friend. As someone who has known her for years. As someone who is invested in her happiness, in seeing her gain what she deserves.”
