“Do you think that is you? Areyouwho she deserves?” Max frowned, hands balled tightly into fists.
Percy shook his head. “No, I am not.”
“At least we can agree on that,” Max said, puffing out a breath. “Allow me to make one thing very clear to you—this is your first and last warning to stay away from Anna.”
Keep your distance.The Countess had said the same thing, and if the two people who loved Anna the most were in agreement, Percy did not know if he could disagree anymore.
“You are my dearest and oldest friend,” Max continued, “but my sister will always be my priority. Even before our father passed, it was my duty to protect her. I can see now that I have been remiss in many ways, but I shall not let her down again.”
Percy clenched his jaw. “I said it before; I haveneverwished harm upon her, and do not want to see her disappointed either.”
Which is why I am not right for her. I understand that.He kept that to himself, figuring it would only muddy the water if he said it out loud.
“I would like you to be gone from Harewood Court before we return. You ought to leave tonight,” Max said flatly. “And unless you wish to be challenged to a duel for risking my sister’s reputation again, youwillstay as far from her as possible.”
Percy hated that it had come to this, his actions driving a wedge between himself and the people he adored the most in the world. But he had been taught from a young age that reckless behavior had consequences, and that weakness was rewarded with pain and rejection. He had also learned that love—or anything like it—made fools of even the wisest individuals, and though he did not know what the aching, twinging sensation in his chest was, he had acted like a fool that night.
His punishment was just and deserved.
“I will return to Harewood Court tonight,” he promised. “By the time you return from here, it will be as if I was never there. And I will stay away from An—Lady Anna. Indeed, I do not think it will be long until I have a wedding to announce, so you can rest easy in the knowledge that your sister is safe, her reputation unmarked.”
Max sniffed. “I will send congratulatory flowers.”
With that, he turned and departed the Orangery through the interior doors, leaving Percy to stand alone in the room, wondering why his heart felt so heavy. And as he looked around at the potted orange and lemon trees, he could have sworn he smelled the faintest hint of jasmine, still lingering in the air. Like a farewell from the woman he would probably never see again.
At that moment, fireworks exploded into the night sky, and despite himself, he wished he could have been watching them with her.
* * *
“I apologize. I should not have done that. It was improper of me. Goodness, I do not know why I did that. It was shameful.”Percival’s words spun around and around in Anna’s head like a carousel, whirling faster and faster until she felt nauseated again.
But she could not stop herself from thinking about that sweet, longed-for first kiss, regardless of the thoughts it conjured afterward. He had kissed her as if she meant a great deal to him, and she had kissed him back with the abandon of someone to whom he also meant a great deal. She had barely hesitated, despite their former quarrels and misgivings. And that gentle graze of their lips had been… so beautiful and so wonderful that the aftermath almost pained her less than the prospect of never feeling that again.
If I knew I was going to lose everything because of that, I would have made more of it. I would have stolen a few more minutes.It seemed like a ridiculous notion to even consider, but she could not help it. To have everything taken away by revealing the truth to Dickie, she should have been allowed to keep something in return.
“Anna! There you are!” A voice brought her out of her reverie as she waited on the porch for the carriage to appear.
Anna turned to find Beatrice emerging from the grand front doors of the manor, looking very worried indeed. “I have never been very good at hiding, though I suspect I shall have to learn quickly.”
“Nonsense,” Beatrice replied, coming to take hold of Anna’s hands. “You must do the very opposite. Do not hide from this. Please, accept the advice of someone who knows scorn; it retreats when it is challenged directly.”
Anna smiled. “So, you have heard?”
“I will not lie to you; your secretiscirculating around the ball, and though I can make no promises, I am doing all I can to ensure that it remains within these walls.”
Pulling a face, Anna forced a chuckle. “Do not have anyone killed on my account. It was silly of me to think I could keep it a secret indefinitely.”
“It is not silly to do kind things without any desire for reward or accolades,” Beatrice insisted. “It is the most honorable thing a person can do, and I, for one, could not be prouder of you. There are ladies and gentlemen out there right now, ladies and gentlemen who are even at this ball, who are hopelessly in love because of you. That is not nothing, dearest Anna.”
Anna shrugged. “But it is over now.”
“Not necessarily.” Beatrice sighed. “There will be a storm to weather, undoubtedly, but your success speaks for itself. Blast all those who think you cannot do something because you are unwed. I have built an empire, and I am unwed.”
“An empire?”
Beatrice put her finger to her lips and flashed a wink. “You should see me in my gentleman’s attire. Not even my own mother, rest her soul, would recognize me.” She lowered her voice. “I have whiskers glued to my face and everything.”
“You do not!” Anna gasped, gazing at that formidable woman in astonishment of the best kind.
