“I realize we are supposed to have a courtship, and there are procedures and expectations for this sort of thing, but after all the years we have known one another, I hardly think it necessary in our situation.” He paused. “As such, would you do me the greatest honor of being not just my greatest love, but my wife too?”
Anna blinked as if, somehow, she had not anticipated that. “I suspect you will have to ask my brother first.”
“But I do not want to marry your brother,” he teased, grinning.
She smacked him lightly on the arm. “I have waited eight years for this, Percival; I can wait at least ten minutes more while you ask permission of my brother.” She gave a small, shy shrug. “In truth, I rather likesomeof the procedures and expectations. Goodness, the banns will shock more people than the scandal sheets!”
“If your brother gives his permission, will you marry me?” He needed to hear it from her first, needed to know that his future would have her in it, standing at his side.
She nodded. “Nothing would make me happier, Percival.” A smile spread across her face as she added, “Although, I might also have to see your residence, so I know what I am getting myself into.”
“You are too cruel.” He pretended to clasp his chest, chuckling. “Fortunately, you are already headed in the right direction.”
With a smile, he took hold of her hand and led her toward the carriage he had arrived in. At the door, he knocked.
“You may come out now,” he said.
Dickie practically kicked the door open, eyes wide as he all but shouted, “Well? What is the news? Do not leave me in suspense!”
“I think it is Max I must address,” Percy replied, glancing at Anna. “That is correct, is it not?”
She nodded, smiling wide.
Max muscled Dickie out of the way, his gaze darting to the intertwined hands of the couple standing before him, before his gaze flitted to the smiles on both of their faces.
“What is the meaning of this?” he asked, sounding confused.
Percy steeled himself. “I love your sister, Max, and she, in kind, has just confessed to me. There were… misunderstandings, which is to be expected between the two of us, I suppose.” He straightened his posture. “And as your father, God rest his soul, is no longer with us, I should like to ask you for Anna’s hand in marriage.”
“I knew it!” Dickie cheered, clapping his hands together.
Max stared at his brother. “Youknew?”
“I have eyes, Max. It was obvious! The only thing that was not a certainty was these two buffoons figuring out for themselves.”
Max looked back at Anna. “Are you… truly in love with Sinclair?”
“Completely,” Anna replied, leaning into Percy’s side.
Max ran a weary hand through his hair. “And you truly love Anna, Sinclair?”
“Beyond all doubt,” Percy answered, giving her hand an encouraging squeeze.
“I think I need to sit down,” Max said, perching on the edge of the squabs. “I thought you could not stand one another, and now… When did all of this happen? When did it change?”
Anna and Percy glanced at one another, but it was Anna who answered.
“Neither of us can tell you that, but all we know is that it happened slowly and abruptly, all at once.”
A faint hint of a smile tugged at the corner of Max’s mouth, as he gave a dramatic shrug. “Well then, I am certainly not going to stand in the way of love. If this is what you both want, then you have my heartfelt permission… though you will forgive me if it takes a couple of days for me to comprehend it.”
“Of course, Max,” Anna said, turning her gaze up to Percy.
He smiled back down, wishing he could kiss her once more, but that would have to wait. But as she had said herself, they had waited eight years for this moment; they could wait a short while longer for their lives to begin, as they saw fit.
“But what are we to do now?” Dickie asked, a twinkle in his eye. “Do we return to Granville House so that Anna might see her dismal new residence? Do we return to Harewood Court, to revel in luxury? Or do we journey on to Westyork, so that Anna might shriek to at least three of her friends that she is to be married at long, long,longlast?”
Percy gave a small shrug. “That is up to my Catchweed. Long may she stick to my side.”
