Page 25 of The Lady's Forbidden Marquess
“Well,” Anna started tentatively.“She did know you were often here, so that means she recognizes when you’re missing.”
“True,” Pere admitted, feeling slightly better.“Is your invitation for the same time?I’m assuming it is.”
“Tonight?”Anna asked.
“Yes.Good, I… would rather not navigate whatever situation awaits us alone,” Pere confessed.
“Understood.Your brother is just as confused as you.”
“Not surprising.Have…” Pere paused.“Has he heard from Edwin at all?”she asked, daring a look up to her sister-in-law.
Anna shook her head.“No.And don’t hesitate to ask regarding your eldest brother; it is of no consequence to me.I understand my actions last season could lead to speculation, but I’m, obviously, very unscathed by his actions and blissfully happy with Henley—your other brother,” she added with a slight smirk of delight.
“Clearly.Seeing as I’m going to be an aunt so soon.”Pere raised an eyebrow as she grinned.
“Remember, Henley doesn’t know I’ve told you all the details, just a—”
“Told her what?”Henley asked, striding into the room and quickly placing an adoring kiss to Anna’s head.
Pere pinched her lips and gave a wide-eyed look to her friend.
“You have terrible timing, love,” Anna chided teasingly.
“I rather think my timing is impeccable, seeming as I came in just as my name was mentioned.”
Anna let out a sigh.“I told Pere she’s going to be an aunt.”Anna fiddled with her teacup and then looked to Henley.
Pere’s eyes followed hers as she awaited her brother’s reaction.Henley gave a soft chuckle.“You went nearly a week before telling her; I’m honestly shocked you made it so long.”He raised his own freshly poured teacup in a toast.
“I’m offended!”Anna shouted as she let out a laugh.
“No, you’re not.And I do believe you need to offer me a word of celebration, sister.After all, I had some part in this.”Henley turned a smug look to Pere.
“Why must you say such things?”She gave Anna a grimace, earning a mere shrug from her beaming friend.“Very well, congratulations; I’m thrilled to soon be spoiling your little one.”
“Of that, I have no doubt.We’ll have to have another soon after just to keep the one from being a total hoyden like his or her aunt.”
“And, now it’s time to change the subject.”Pere clapped her hands once.“And I’m not a hoyden.”She glared.
“Your sister was just speaking about the invitation from your mother,” Anna said, gesturing to the missive on the table.
“Ah, yes.”Henley twisted his lips, and Pere noticed that they shared that trait.
Belatedly, she recognized the habit as one belonging to their late father.It brought her a measure of comfort, recognizing a piece of him living on within them.If he were still alive, perhaps it would be an entirely different situation with their mother—maybe Edwin as well.However, musing about what could be didn’t help what was.
Henley set his teacup down and grasped his wife’s hand tenderly.“Whatever awaits us, we’ll figure it out together.It’s what we do, is it not?”
Pere nodded once, thankful for her brother.
“Indeed, and at least we do not need to wait long; tonight is just a few short hours away.”
Henley nodded, then patted his wife’s hand, his expression tender.Pere’s heart pinched; she loved seeing obvious love between her brother and Anna, but it also brought into sharp focus her desire for the same kind of relationship in her own life.
“Should we tell our news tonight?”Henley’s tone was soft, almost hesitant with an underlying love that made Pere study his expression, curious.
Anna didn’t answer immediately, so Pere regarded her expression, trying to read her thoughts, but unable to find the answers.
“I… yes.It will give a bright spot to the evening, and I’m sure it will serve to break any tension.Your mother will certainly be delighted.”
