Richard glanced at Anne, who was studying the tips of her slippers, a delicate blush on her cheeks. Not long before, he had been in the same garden with her unchaperoned. He felt heat on the back of his neck but tried to concentrate on his sister’s words.
"Fortunately, Lady Anne arrived on the scene before anything more than a slobbery kiss occurred." Anne looked up and nodded. Richard was relieved and somewhat amazed that he and Anne could so easily read the mind of the other. She was tense, but she conveyed in her mien that Lucy was not minimizing the events that had taken place.
He let out a breath, relaxing slightly. "I will ensure that Lord Rathburn does not bother you again," he said tightly.
Lucy started pacing, her skirts kicking out around her legs as she took long strides across the floor. Anne watched her, biting her lip, her hands clenched together in her lap.
"Lord Rathburn thinks that we must be married. Ha! As if one kiss would force me to marry that rogue. I don't know what I was thinking." Lucy stopped and looked up. "He can be charming, you know. But it was never anything serious on my part. You know that, Richard." A tear trailed down her cheek and Richard was across the room in a flash, pulling her into his arms for a brotherly hug. The siblings held on to each others, their thoughts far away in Yorkshire and their home there.
Lucy sniffed and Richard pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to her. "You will not marry Lord Rathburn. That is absurd."
"He said that because there were witnesses, he would force me to marry or ruin my name," Lucy mumbled, "I should go home. I want to go to Wakefield Park."
Richard patted her on the shoulder and exchanged looks with Anne. He would do whatever Lucy needed, but at the same time, he had to finalize the arrangements with Anne.
She stood up, still twisting her hands together. "The only witnesses were my sister and me. Of course, I will not say anything." She stretched her arms towards Richard as if beseeching him, then slowly dropped them. "My lord, may I speak to you privately?"
Lucy compressed the handkerchief and handed it to Richard. "I will go find Great-aunt Sylvia and have the carriage brought around. I think it's time for us to go home."
Lucy slipped out the door, but Anne did not speak. She stared at Richard as if drinking him in and he started to walk towards her, drawn to her beyond any power that could keep him from Anne. She shook her head and he stopped, puzzled.
"My lord, I have reflected upon your earlier offer and I think it best if I rescind my acceptance. I thank you for all your kindnesses and I will think of you..." Anne trailed off as she realized that she had meandered from her speech. "Thank you."
Richard watched, stunned, as Anne walked out the door. What had just happened?
Anne leaned her head against the window, watching as raindrops chased down the glass. The day fit her mood. How was it possible to be so happy one moment and then have your whole world crash around your ears in the next?
She closed her eyes but opened them again immediately. Anne had not slept because every time she shut her eyes, she saw Richard's stunned face. He had not stopped her or even spoken to her. Her heart broke a little more though she did not think it was possible that any fragments were left; all was shattered.
Cecily had not said much in the carriage on the way home last evening. Anne had quietly told her that the understanding with Lord Wakefield was broken. Cecily gave a satisfied hum and Anne turned to look out the carriage window.
If there was anything good to be said and it would be a while before Anne could admit that, at least, she would never have to watch her sister with Lord Wakefield. Cecily would have to look elsewhere for a husband.
Her head ached. Anne had not cried - yet. She knew that time was coming, but she was still in shock herself. Anne reached a finger out and traced a drop that was falling down the window. If only she could go home to Shropshire.
There was a knock on her door and Cecily stuck her head into the room.
"Anne, we have company." She studied her sister.
"I don't feel well, Cecily. I am not prepared to meet with anyone today." Anne was not ready to forgive her sister and she would not be for a while, if ever. If their roles had been reversed, Anne would have been happy for her sister to have found someone to love. She knew that Cecily's affections had not been engaged, rather, her sister had wanted to be a Countess.
"Lady Lucilla is here and she desires to talk to you." Cecily grimaced. "She said that she will come find you if you don't come down to meet with her."
Cecily took a step into the room when Anne did not reply. "Does she know that you turned down her brother's proposal?"
Anne's eyes narrowed. "No, I don't believe she knew anything about the matter."
"Fine, then I will not say anything about Lord Rathburn."
"What about Lord Rathburn?" Lucy had appeared in the door behind Cecily, apparently unwilling to wait for Anne to come down to the drawing room.
Cecily whirled around, her face bright red. "Lady Lucilla, I did not hear you come up. Here is my sister. Enjoy your visit." Cecily fled as Lucy shook her head and came into the room as Anne reluctantly stood to greet her guest. She liked Lucy very much, but she wasn't prepared to deal with her so soon. Still, she could reassure her that neither she nor Cecily would say anything about the episode from the evening before.
Lucy, in her typical friendly manner, approached Anne and pulled her into a hug. Anne didn’t respond at first but then relaxed. "Anne, Anne, what have you done?" Lucy stepped back and pulled Anne by the arm to the sofa and sat down with her.
"Lady Lucilla, how are you today? I hope that you have recovered from last evening."
Lucy patted her hand."Please call me Lucy. I think that we are friends enough for familiar names by now."
"Lucy, then, I want to assure you that I spoke to my sister and we will not say anything that would confirm Lord Rathburn's assertions." Anne swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. She needed Lucy to leave very soon as the tears that she thought she had delayed suddenly seemed to be pricking at her eyes.
"I did not doubt you, Anne," Lucy said. "Was there difficulties with Lady Cecily?"
Anne opened her mouth and closed it again. She shook her head. "No, no, of course not."
Lucy peered at her and Anne blinked, trying desperately to keep the tears from falling.
"Richard is in despair this morning, for once not over me, but because of you. I had to come talk to you. You have broken his heart, Anne. I thought that you had feelings for him?"
A vein pulsed in Anne's throat and she lifted a hand to cover it. Her mind went blank and all she could think about was Richard, heartbroken by her denial.
"I thought it over and decided that we would not suit. Lord Wakefield is all that is gracious and kind, but..." Anne floundered just as she had the evening before. She did not seem capable of devising any falsehoods about Richard, either to him or his sister.
Lucy tapped a finger on her lips and thought, watching as two spots of red appeared on Anne's pale cheeks. "Cecily!" she exclaimed. "Did she say something to you that made you change your mind?"
Anne nibbled at her lip, trying to think of a suitable answer. She should have been better prepared, but she had not expected to see Lucy today.
"I knew it. What did she say?"
Anne had waited too long to answer. Her entire body slumped back into the sofa. "She threatened to tell about you and Lord Rathburn. I could not let you be forced into marriage."
Lucy stared at her, then broke into laughter. Anne was mystified but waited until Lucy's giggles subsided.
"Anne, dearest Anne, I will never marry Rathburn. You will find about my stubborn nature as you come to know me better. Richard would never force me to marry someone that I did not choose to."
"But it will ruin your name to refuse him if the word comes out. I could not bear to cause you or your brother such trouble."
Lucy waved a hand. "Pfft, it was never your fault, but my bad judgment that caused this p
roblem. We do not spend much time in London. Rathburn has no power over us." She leaned forward and swiped away a tear that Anne did not even realize was rolling down her cheek.
"There is no impediment to you marrying my brother, Anne, save your sister's feelings. I suspect that when she gets over her initial disappointment, Lady Cecily will feel quite ashamed of her behavior."
"She is young and spoiled, but Cecily can be very sweet. My mother's expectations hound her as mama has never reconciled herself to my spinsterhood."
Lucy laughed again. "Anne, you are not going to be a spinster, rather you will be my dearest sister. Your mama will be quite satisfied and so will your sister once she realizes that she is sister to a Countess. That will increase her own worth on the marriage mart as well."
"But your brother..." Anne stuttered. "I told him I changed my mind. How can he understand my behavior?"
"I suspect he will find a way."
Anne watched as Lucy crossed to the bedroom window and looked out. She waved at someone down in the street, then crossed back to where Anne sat on the sofa and held out her hands.
"Come, we must go downstairs. You are about to have a visitor."
Richard was let into the hallway by the Earl of Warwick's Butler and he handed him his hat and cane. He was led into the front drawing-room to stew and pace. Lucy had indicated that he could come in now, so he hoped that whatever had gone ill last evening was now remedied.
He had been overwhelmed by events last night and so, unprepared when Anne had walked out the door. First he had managed to get through the marriage proposal and the euphoria of her acceptance, then there was the problem with Lucy and Rathburn. He had been shaken to the core and baffled by Anne's sudden turn-around. He should have stopped Anne and had it out with her right then, but he had frozen.
Thank goodness for Lucy's practical good sense. She had got him home, furnished him with a glass of strong spirits (with a small tot for herself), and talked it out with him. They had come up with a plan and so far it seemed to be working. Still, he wished his nerves would settle.
"Lord Wakefield, how kind of you to call." Lady Cecily fluttered into the room. "I did not expect that you would arrive so early this morning, but it is very pleasant to see you."
Richard looked past her, hoping that her sister would arrive soon. He was in no mood for Cecily's inanities and gossip today.
"Good morning to you, Lady Cecily," he replied stiffly. "I was actually hoping to greet your sister. Is she available?"
Cecily stopped abruptly and her eyes narrowed. "Lady Anne is indisposed this morning."
Richard felt his stomach drop just as the door pushed open and Lucy entered with Anne following. Just as quickly, he regained his anxious optimism. Anne looked tired and worn, but never more beautiful to him.
"Anne, I did not think you were receiving guests today," Cecily said as her face turned red.
"It is most urgent that I speak with Lord Wakefield," Anne replied. Her eyes had not left his face since she appeared in the room as if she was afraid that he might disappear before her eyes. Richard had no intention of leaving unless she ordered him to and even then, he would put up a good protest this time.
"Anne," Cecily protested. "You agreed..." She looked at Richard nervously.
Lucy strode right up to Cecily. "You and I need to talk. But I have assured your sister that there is nothing you can say that would constrain her relationship with my brother." She grabbed Cecily by the arm and was gone in seconds, the door closing shut behind the two women.
Richard studied Anne, but her face gave him no clue as to what she would say next. But he would not speak first. It was up to Anne now.
She straightened her shoulders and tilted her chin. "My lord," she began.
"Richard," he shot back.
She nodded and her lips curved into a smile that made Richard’s heart ease its anxious fluttering. "Richard," she said.
"Never mind. I can guess what you're going to say and all that matters is that you will be mine." Richard was smiling now also. Somehow they had moved closer and were now standing just a hairs breath away from each other.
"I love you," Anne whispered.
He took her in his arms and their lips met, sweet at first, then urgent until Richard pulled back.
"I love you, Anne. Will you please promise to marry me?" Richard looked down tenderly. "And soon?"
"Yes, oh my love, yes."
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Author’s Note
Jerusha Moors grew up in Connecticut, but currently lives in Portland, Maine. Her sister introduced her to the books of Georgette Heyer and she never outgrew her love of romance books, especially from the Regency period. She hopes you enjoy her stories and books about those times and will follow her on social media. And please leave a review.
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Always – Richard and Anne’s story (short story)
Abandon – Aubrey and Lucy’s story
Always Page 3