Kenneth was already setting the stand and tongs upright, “Sorry about that, Tony. But Colin shouldn’t have thrown the paperweight.”
“You shouldn’t have jumped out of the way,” Colin promptly retorted.
“Once again, I find it necessary to remind you both that the party was for all three of us.”
Colin was evidently in a worse mood than he was letting on because he suddenly hissed, “Myword! I can’tstandhow daft you can be! Are you really so incapable of giving us but two minutes of respite from your inanities and stupidity?”
Mercifully, a knock at the door interrupted them. Cecilia skipped into the room with Meredith close behind her. After everyone had exchanged the appropriate greetings, Cecilia asked, “Brother, I was wondering if you wanted to go riding today?”
“That sounds enjoyable, Cecilia. But looking at the sky, it seems likely that there could be some summer rains today. And it is often said that if you happen to get drenched by summer rain, it is almost a guarantee that you will fall sick.”
Clearly disappointed, Cecilia abruptly sat on the couch. Kenneth offered her a plate of biscuits to cheer her up. She rejected it at first, but sure enough, was nibbling away a few minutes later.
“May I ask how you are doing today, Your Grace?” Meredith asked cordially.
Anthony leaned back in his chair.
“I am all right, Miss Meyer. Thank you. No plans to speak of yet.”
Colin looked first at Anthony, then at Meredith, then back at Anthony once more.
“Right, then. So how long has this been going on?” he gestured towards the two of them with both of his hands.
Meredith and Anthony exchanged looks. “I’m not entirely sure what you’re referring to, Cole.”
Colin folded his arms, “Oh, really? Well, at least Lady Cecilia seems to know what I mean,” he chuckled. “Her jaw is practically touching the floor.”
Anthony saw no other option but to come clean before them. So he cleared his throat and opened his mouth.
“All right, yes, I have been hiding the fact that I have been courting Meredith for some time now. This wasnotout of embarrassment, but rather out of selfishness.”
Meredith raised her eyes and gave him a quizzical look.
He continued, “I wanted to postpone leaving what the two of us found comfortable—our own little world where no one could oppose us. I didn’t mind telling Cecilia or the household staff because they don’t really have as much authority to oppose us. But I simply couldn’t bring myself to tell you two.”
Since Meredith was also present, Anthony couldn’t say anything about the ninety-day agreement with Fletcher. Besides, there was no point in telling her about it now, for Anthony was already certain that he loved her and there was no way he would ever let her go.
Kenneth appeared to be completely caught off-guard and simply gawked in silence. Naturally, Anthony was worried about how his closest friends would react, once they realized that he was quite serious about his relationship with Meredith.
Will Kenneth and Colin be too ashamed to associate themselves with me once people start to learn of my choosing Meredith?
Anthony was especially nervous about Colin’s reaction since he had expressly warned him about the consequences of pursuing a relationship with Meredith.
Colin addressed this unspoken anxiety with a simple, “If you are happy, Tony, then we are happy. Isn’t that right, Kenny?”
Kenneth nodded.
Colin continued, “But I hope,” he eyed both of them, “that you are prepared to face adversity. The future will be a steep uphill battle.”
To Anthony’s surprise, Meredith spoke up.
“Thank you, Lord Gillinghamshire. Yes, we are aware of that fact. I can’t speak for Anthony—” she stopped herself and blushed, this was the first time that she called him Anthony in front of his friends. He silently nodded to urge her to keep going.
“I can’t speak for Anthony, but I believe I am ready to face anything.” She gave him a sheepish smile after she had finished speaking.
“My sentiments exactly, Mere. We’ll make it through anything.”
He cleared his throat, “Now that that’s settled, I say we find something to do, preferably indoors.”
