Harry swung around, grabbed her by the shoulders and said, “Then Anna, dear Anna, will you be my wife? I have wanted to ask you that a thousand times before but never believed you would accept me.”
“Yes, Harry, I will be your wife.” Then she started laughing.
“What? What?” he asked with a panic stricken look on his face. “Why are you laughing?”
Then Anna did what she had only ever seen Dorothy do—she danced in a circle, her arms out to her sides as she twirled—coming to rest in front of Harry.
She said, “It seems that marriage is in the air. Christopher has come to claim Dorothy. Percy has recently left to claim Maria and now you and I have claimed each other.
“Yes, the very best has been saved for last. Anna, I have loved you for so long, I cannot even remember when my friendship for you became love. But I have had this deep burning and longing in my heart for you since—forever.”
“Harry, what I feel for you astonishes me. I have been such a fool, longing for Percy, when right in front of me was the man of my true heart. Can you forgive my blindness?” She was trembling now, and her heart was jumping, her throat was dry, and she felt she might faint.
“Forgive you? Why ever would I need to do that? I have loved you so fully that there has never been any other feeling but love.
Harry grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her to him. “Anna…” he said, kissing her fully, deeply and tenderly. Then they just melted into each other’s arms and stood together in the bliss of being one.
Chapter 37
Harry was beside himself with joy as he raced back to Creassey. He had to tell Maria of his good news. Then he suddenly remembered that Anna had said something about Maria and Percy.
He pulled up in front of the house, dismounted, and handed his horse over to the groom before dashing up the steps to the house.
“Maria!” he shouted at the top of his voice. He stood in the entryway awaiting her response. But it was Daniels who came running from the dining room.
“Your Lordship, is something wrong?”
Harry laughed. “There is absolutely nothing wrong. But I have some wonderful news for Maria. Do you know where she is?”
“News? Might I know?” Daniels asked.
“Shortly, but first I must tell my dear sister.”
“I believe she has been looking for you as well. I did not know where you were, and she told me she wanted to see you as soon as you returned.”
“Do you know where she is?”
“She and Mr. Percy are having tea in her sitting room.”
“Thank you,” he said as he ran up the stairway and to her rooms.
“Maria,” he shouted as he burst into her room.
She stood and looked terrified that something terrible had happened. “Harry?”
Harry rushed over to her as Percy also stood and asked, “Harry, are you all right?”
“More than all right. I am engaged to marry Anna. What do you think about that? My Anna. My sweet, darling Anna.”
Maria hugged Harry, then took a step backward, put her hand to her mouth. “But how is that possible?” She cast a look at Percy. “I thought she loved Percy?”
Percy replied, “I thought she did too, but apparently not. Harry, when I told Anna I did not love her and could not marry her, she was not in the least bit upset. I do not know what happened, but it was clear she no longer had feelings for me. That was when I came right over and asked Maria to marry me. She is my love—always has been, and always will be.”
Harry was astonished by this announcement as he had been by Anna accepting his proposal. “Then we must celebrate.”
“Not quite yet,” Maria said, placing her hand on Harry’s arm. “Come sit. Percy and I need to talk to you. Yes, Percy has asked me to marry him but there are complications.”
“Oh?” Harry said as he sat with them.
