Simon sat back against the steps and nodded discreetly toward Percival. “I did not realize that there actuallywasan affection between the two of you. Bizarrely, I think I would have been less inclined to whisper a rumor about you if I had known.”
“He is my friend,” she replied. “Friends defend one another.”
Simon shrugged. “If you say so, though I would not behave like that for anyone other than a lady I cherished. Then again, I do not have any friends who are ladies, so who am I to judge? Nor do I have a lady to cherish anymore.”
“And do not forget that you also tried to puthisname in the scandal sheets, during a time when he too is searching for a suitable wife,” Anna pointed out hurriedly, a warmth rushing into her cheeks.
“I cannot argue with you there.”
Anna stood up. “I hope you find what you are looking for.” She smiled. “If my identity had not been revealed, I might have offered to help you.”
“I wish I had known it before I did such… heinous things,” he replied, also rising to his feet. “I suppose I ought to leave before the lord of this household comes and gives me my second beating of the day.”
Anna nodded. “Yes, you should, and I hope it goes without saying that you should not call upon this house, or the young lady herein, again.”
“I am… not worthy of her.” His smile turned sad. “If I had been myself, perhaps it would be different, but… no matter. May I escort you out?”
Anna glanced toward the doors, noticing Percival’s posture stiffen slightly. “No, thank you. I shall be quite well to walk alone.”
“As you prefer.” Tipping his head to her, Simon made his hesitant approach to the manor entrance, slipping past Percival like a child trying to sneak out in their finest clothes to steal another half hour in the gardens.
Anna waited for a short while, wondering if Percival would turn to fetch her, and escort her out himself. But he remained as he was, with his back to her, as if waiting forherto make the decision for him.
“Ifyouare not married by the end of the year,” Caroline whispered, sidling up to Anna, “I shall eat my bonnet. Goodness, if you are not married by the end of summer, I shall eat it.”
Anna pulled her friend in, smiling as Caroline rested her head on her shoulder. “That is the danger with hope, Caro—the higher you let it soar, the harder it will hurt when it crashes back to the earth.”
“And what if it keeps on flying, right up to the heavens?” Caroline replied, putting her arms around Anna’s middle.
Anna sighed. “At my age, dearest Caro, one cannot risk everything on “what if.””
* * *
Try as he might, Percy could not swallow the fury that burned inside him, that Simon had been so callous with Anna’s heart—a precious thing thathewould have given anything to be offered. If Anna had not been standing such a short distance away, he was certain he would have marched after Simon and punched him, at least once, for the slight against her.
At least she did not discover me eavesdropping.It was a small relief that Simon’s arrival had distracted him from the door, considering how severely he had chastised her for the same thing.
Yet, as he had passed by, he had happened to hear his name mentioned and had not been able to help himself. In a way, he was glad that hehadlistened in to the conversation between the two women, for it had answered his question as to whether or not his feelings were returned.
Caroline had asked Anna quite directly if she felt anything for him, and Anna had not been able to answer. Earlier in the conversation, she had claimed there was nothing between them. It was all he needed to hold his tongue, to keep his affections to himself, and to keep his distance, as Max had demanded.
Not that it would stop him from defending her honor. Not that it would stop him from seeking out her company. Perhaps, by that time next year, they would be able to laugh and snipe about what had occurredthissummer.
“Shall we?” Anna’s soft voice startled him out of his reverie, her hand sliding through his arm.
He swallowed his surprise. “Have you said your farewells?”
“I have promised to say them when I return.” She peered up at him.
“After you have seen my ruin of an estate, you mean?”
She laughed quietly. “I doubt it is as bad as you gentlemen claim it is, but I know my brother; he will not permit me to stay, no matter what I say. As such, I thought it best to inform the household that Imightbe making a more prolonged visit in… Well, by tonight, I imagine.”
“Are you well?” he asked, as he began to lead her down the porch steps to the carriages.
She leaned into him slightly. “I was about to ask you the same thing.”
“I assure you, Lord Luminport’s feeble flailing did no harm to me,” he replied, coaxing a half smile onto his face.
