Her chest began to rise and fall as if she had run a great distance. “But… you think my books are silly. Why would you choosethose? Why not borrow one of Max’s mighty tomes of science or history?”
“As I say, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about,” he replied, reaching out to take her hand. “Perhaps, I may find that they are not silly after all. That is, if you will oblige me by allowing me to lend them.”
She glanced down at his hand holding hers, her gaze flitting back up to meet his as she gave the smallest of nods. “If you do not like them, I do not want you to say anything. Pretend you did not read them at all, if you must.”
“Very well.” He bent his head, entirely aware that she wore no glove, as he pressed a kiss to that soft, delicate skin.
He wished he had the nerve to kiss her lips once more, but after the chaos of the last time, he thought it best not to. But that did not mean he would be able to stop dreaming of that moment, imagining it with a happier sort of conclusion. Indeed, if he thought he was worthy of her, that he could truly make her happy, he would have made a confession there and then.
A shiver seemed to ripple through her, her breath catching in her throat. “Percival, I want to ask you about the Orangery.”
“I do not think we should speak of it,” he replied quietly, for if he began, he would not be able to stop.
Max’s warning rang in Percy’s head. He was already disobeying his dearest friend, for this was the very opposite of keeping his distance. And if he were to confess and be rejected, he knew he would lose everyone who was precious to him in one single moment. His pride would recover from saying nothing, but it would not recover from being cast out from yet another family.
I would rather keep you as an annual friend than never see you again.
“Let us forget it, as you said you had already,” he said.
Anna shook her head. “But I want to know why you?—”
“Sinclair, where the devil are you?” Max’s voice boomed across the gardens, jolting Anna and Percy apart as if a wasp had gotten into the greenhouse and stung them both at the same time.
Percy put a finger to his lips and pointed to the rear door of the greenhouse, closest to the stone fountain and the wrought iron chairs. Wide-eyed, Anna nodded, and hurried toward the exit, slipping out into the safety of one of the estate’s ornamental gardens just as Max pulled open the other door to the greenhouse.
“What are you doing in here?” he asked, frowning.
Percy withdrew the letter from his pocket. “Just reading this and deciding whether or not to burn it.”
“Another one from your brother?”
Percy nodded. “I do not know how he keeps finding out where I am, but no matter—I am leaving now, and it ought to take several weeks before he discovers I am back at Granville and not here.” He stowed the letter away again. “If any letters should come in the meantime, feel free to toss them in the fireplace.”
“Listen, Sinclair, I thought that I might accompany you to Granville,” Max said unexpectedly. “I hate for us to part like this, with any animosity between us, and I do not feel comfortable with the thought of you being there alone. Considering everything, I could stay for a few days, while Dickie and Anna amuse themselves here.”
The hinges of the greenhouse door squealed again. “There is no way you are going to that dismal ruin without me,” Dickie announced. “A place as desolate as that needs some cheer, and I am thekingof good cheer. Let us pack several crates of fine wine and liquor, a host of delicacies, and why not bring the cook too? We shall make a celebration of it.”
Percy’s head span as the opposite door opened and Anna burst in, declaring, “Well, no one is leaving me behind! If we are making an adventure of it, then I shall be joining you. Indeed, I think it would be best if I am where no one will expect me to be.” She fidgeted with the ribbon above her waist. “But I have one proviso—you must journey by way of Westyork.”
“I was not offering out invitations!” Max bemoaned, hissing out a breath of frustration. “Dickie, do you see what you have done?”
Dickie shrugged. “It will take precisely one hour before dearest Anna changes her mind and wishes to return here. She has not seen the condition of Granville House, but we have.” His eyes glinted with mischief. “And once she has been safely returned here, finding Granville most unpalatable, then we can enjoy a gentlemen’s holiday.”
“Are Phoebe and Olivia at Westyork?” Max asked, clearly harried.
Meanwhile, dread sank like a stone into the pit of Percy’s stomach. The last thing he wanted Anna to see was his residence, for Dickie was not wrong in his assessment of the place. It had been a terrible home in his youth, and the rot of a father and stepmother who hated him now showed upon the walls and gardens and rooms within.
Anna nodded. “They are.”
“Then, here is the compromise. You may accept it and come with us, or refuse it and remain here,” Max said firmly. “You can accompany us toseeGranville House, but if I deem it unsuitable for a lady, you will go to Westyork to reside while Dickie and I help Sinclair grow accustomed to his new home.”
Percy shook his head. “I can already assure you that it is unsuitable for hosting ladies. Perhaps, it would be better if I were to go alone.”
“Nonsense,” Dickie interjected. “Anna, what do you say?”
Anna straightened up and lifted her chin in defiance. “I agree to these terms, though if anyone has any right to deem what is suitable and unsuitable for a lady, it is me.” She hesitated, bowing her head to her oldest brother. “But, of course, I will abide by whatever you say.”
“Then, it is settled.” Max seemed neither relieved nor displeased. “Have the servants pack and assemble whatever you feel we might need, and we shall leave by…” he checked his pocket watch “… two o’clock.”
