by Darcy Burke
Ten years earlier he’d come to his aunt’s matchmaking house party at his aunt’s request, despite having no desire to take a wife. It was just to even out the numbers, she’d assured him. She’d no intention of him finding a wife at the tender age of one and twenty. She wanted him to help occupy and entertain the guests. He was good for a laugh.
Her request had come on the heels of some wrongdoing, another occasion for his father to be disappointed in him. His aunts and uncles had been disappointed in him for bringing shame to the Allerton name. Henry didn’t even remember what his transgression had been.
And yet, when he’d set eyes upon Anna walking through his aunt’s front doors that first morning, he’d been enthralled. Everything about her interested him: her bemused expression as she watched her older sister’s overexuberance at their prospects, her unimpressed airs at their surroundings, the defiant set of her brow as she followed along behind her father and sister. Never before had someone stopped him so dead in his tracks that he felt he’d never recover. He’d needed to know more about her. He’d wanted to know her.
And now, after ten years apart, he still wanted to know her.
“America?” she asked, her tone steady but she swallowed hard.
He nodded. “My colleague and I are to sail to America as soon as possible.”
She blinked quickly, surprised. “Oh? Your colleague?” She smiled brightly, too brightly. “Well, that sounds like an adventure! What sends you so far away?”
They were interrupted by the reappearance of Mr. Pennex, waving a small book in the air in triumph.
“You found it!” Millie exclaimed and hurried across the room.
Mr. Pennex nodded and pulled something from his pocket. “I nicked a silver thimble from my mother’s sewing kit while I was there.”
“Wonderful!” Anna took the list of items from Millie. “What shall we find next? The map?”
Henry pulled the notebook from his pocket again. He flipped through the pages of notations and equations before finding what he was looking for.
“Will this work?” He handed Millie the notebook open to a page of a sketched map.
She took the notebook from him. “Perfect! What is this a map of?”
“The Caledonian Canal in Scotland. It connects Inverness to Fort William.”
Millie’s eyes lit up. “Then you’ve been there? To Scotland?” She didn’t wait for an answer, but thrust the parchment and pencil at him. “Endorse the parchment and we will have another item checked off the list.”
Henry did as instructed. He hesitated as he added Earl of Carrington after his name. He wasn’t accustomed to the title yet, despite having worn it for over six months.
“My aunt will have holly outside in the maze.”
Millie looked ready to burst with excitement. “We might win this!”
She bounced on her feet and turned away from Henry’s bemused expression, Mr. Pennex hurrying to keep up.
“Shall we?” Henry offered his arm to Anna.
They trailed along after Millie and Mr. Pennex. Henry offered suggestions of hallways to take and staircases to avoid to navigate the quickest route through the house.
“Oh, there is Lord Larksin!” Millie waved the parchment towards the red-headed gentleman further down the hall. “Halloo!! Lord Larksin! I see you’ve lovely red hair!”
“Oh, Millie,” Anna said under her breath and Henry fought the urge to laugh.
Lord Larksin looked irritated at being stopped, but begrudgingly signed the parchment, before he stalked away, though Millie had not given him much choice.
Finally, they neared the doors to the garden. It had snowed overnight, a blanket of white covering the back terrace and the hedge maze below.
Millie’s eyes lit up as they stepped outside into the wintery landscape. She trotted ahead, not waiting for Anna or Henry to keep up.
It was cold outside, but not bitterly so. They were without coats, but it didn’t bother Henry. He was accustomed to being outside in undesirable temperatures.
“I do hope this does not take exceedingly long,” Anna muttered, stepping carefully down the stairs. Henry offered his hand for support and she accepted.
The heat of her ungloved hand sent a jolt through his system.
Anna eyed him expectantly as they moved down the pathway, and he knew she had questions.
Before he could press further, Millie and Mr. Pennex barreled up the steps, shaking snow from their hair and boots. Bits of snow clung to their clothing like they’d been hit with balls of snow.
Two balls of snow appeared in the hands of Millie and Mr. Pennex and before Henry could register what they were up to, the pair launched them into the air. The snowballs hit Henry and Anna both squarely in the chest. Henry looked down at the smattering of snow in shock.
“Millicent Newbury!” Anna snapped and shook snow from her person.
For a second Millie’s mirth faltered as she took in her stepmother’s irate tone.
Henry caught Anna’s eye and her brow rose, wordlessly understanding her intent.
Mr. Pennex stepped forward, worry dousing his laughter moments earlier. “I do beg your pardon, my lady, Miss Newbury insisted--”
“Oh lovely, Mr. Pennex, just toss me under the carriage!”
Henry scooped snow into his hands, balling it as he stepped forward and threw the snowball. He hit Millie’s neck and she jumped in surprise. Anna had done the same, hitting Mr. Pennex seconds later in the shoulder.
Within moments their quartet erupted into a full-blown snowball fight. Snow flung through the air, some orbs hitting their marks, others flying wide, and it was an all-out grab for available snow. Millie and Mr. Pennex lobbed snow their way, and disappeared into the hedge maze.
Anna grabbed Henry’s hand and pulled him further down the maze allée. They ducked around a corner as more snow hit them in the back.
They skidded to a halt in a dead end of the maze, a wall of snow-covered hedge blocking their path, and any view of their surroundings.
“Anna!” Millie called in a singsong voice, but they couldn’t tell from which direction it came.
Henry moved to the opening in the hedge they’d come through and slowly looked around the corner. Millie and Mr. Pennex were a few yards down the pathway, glancing into the openings as they came down the walk.
Henry snapped his head out of view. There wasn’t much room in their alcove, which wasn’t bigger than a closet.
He opened his mouth to say something but Anna clamped her hand over his mouth with a warning shake of her head.
In that instant, everything changed.
He was suddenly aware of how close they stood, the heat of her hand pressed against his mouth. He could see she felt it too—the heat, the buzz of attraction vibrating around them. The brown in her hazel eyes deepened with desire. His own want spun like a whirlpool.
Slowly, she pulled her hand away from his mouth, the tips of her fingers trailing across his lips. His gaze dropped to her lips which had fallen a breath apart. The heat of her breath mixed with his own. Memories of her kiss and touch had haunted him for a decade; now he wondered how accurate his memory had been. How easy it would be to remind them both of what had burned between them, to dip his head and press his lips to hers and drink again from the sweet waves of pleasure that pulsed through his blood, begging to be stroked again.
Laughter pulled him from swaying into her, and he blinked away the haze he’d wandered into.
Seconds later snow hit the side of his head and whatever had come over them was broken.
“We found you!” Millie laughed as another pelt of snow hit his arm.
Henry stepped away from Anna, breaking the intensity of her gaze as he shook the snow from his hair. He forced himself to laugh, but he could not be grateful for the interruption. A desire for Anna had reawakened with such a ferocity, he doubted it could be properly sated. And proper was what he intended—he would not touch her, not when there was so much history betwe
en them. There was no future for them, and no good would come from his exploring this new development. He would not leave her in scandal again.
They shook as much snow from themselves as manageable, but it was clear they would be in need dry of clothing.
“In all of this, did you manage to find the holly?” Anna asked.
Millie held the sprig of holly triumphantly for Anna to see.
“Come, let’s return to the castle before we freeze to death.”
Henry shook the snow from his clothing as best he could before following the rest of his party into the house.
Anna brushed some of the clumps of melting snow from Millie’s golden hair. “Millie, I suggest we change our clothes. Best we not catch a cold before luncheon.”
“And after luncheon we can find the remaining items on the list!” Mr. Pennex said excitedly.
“Excellent idea, Mr. Pennex!” Mille replied. He gave her a quick bow and darted off down the corridor.
They followed, but at a slower pace.
Millie turned her gaze towards Henry. “What say you, Lord Carrington? Are you up for more fun?”
“As much as I have enjoyed our adventure this morning, I must decline. I have... ah, other business to attend to in the castle.”
Millie looked at Anna. “Such a shame you are to be deprived of Carrington’s wonderful company and be stuck with those so much younger than you.” She smiled sweetly, but Henry heard the playful jab all the same.
“Actually, Lady Rycroft, if I may, your assistance in my endeavor could be valuable,” Henry said. “Should you wish for a reprieve from the exuberance of the youth.”
Anna’s lips quirked as she met his gaze. “While that sounds preferable, I cannot--”
“Anna, we will be fine for an afternoon on our own,” Millie interjected. “Besides, escaping my chaperone is part of the fun of a house party.”
“It’s hardly escaping if I give you permission to go off on your own.”
Millie shrugged lightly. “It’s the same to me. Either way, I won’t have you reminding me how to behave.” Millie gasped and spun around. “How will I manage without you?”
Anna ignored her sarcasm. “All right then, if you insist.”
Henry bid the Newbury ladies goodbye at the top of a staircase before finding his own rooms on the floor above. With his valet’s assistance, he was in dry clothes in no time and returned downstairs just as guests began appearing for the casual luncheon set out in a string of sitting rooms. He nabbed a few finger sandwiches before giving the curio room and the library a more thorough search.
He found the Newburys almost two hours later, just as they were finishing their meal. Millie and Percy were chatting endlessly, but Anna did not appear to be paying attention. Her gaze was unfocused, and she trailed the tip of her finger along her bottom lip.
Henry’s gaze lingered on her lips for a moment before he smiled pleasantly. “Good afternoon.”
Anna started. “Carrington!” Her tone was high, but her expression was a bit too bright. “I see you’ve recovered from our snowy adventures!”
He nodded. “I am well and dry.”
“Good! Good, good, good, good.” Anna’s chin bounced up and down. “That is good.”
Millie and Percy stared at her in bewilderment.
Henry glanced at their empty plates. “I see you’ve finished your meal. Did my aunt’s cook live up to her reputation?”
Millie turned towards her stepmother. “Anna, would you say your meal was good?”
Percy coughed into his napkin, likely to cover his amusement.
Anna threw her stepdaughter a reproachful look. “It was lovely. What have you planned for this afternoon? Still engaged in the hunt with Mr. Pennex?”
Millie nodded. “I believe so.”
Percy eyed his sister. “I will join you. Two of our quartet from earlier decided to give up, but Miss Sommers was eager to be the victor. Perhaps we can join forces together?”
“That sounds like an excellent plan,” Anna said before Millie could protest. Henry understood her reasoning. He’d only just met the Newbury twins, but their antics, specifically Millie’s, could not be easy to curtail. At least having her brother with her might deter any impertinence on Millie’s part.
They rose from their seats and moved towards the doors.
Percy turned suddenly to Henry. “Lord Carrington, might I have a word with you?”
Anna glanced between Percy and Henry. “Come Millie, let’s find Mr. Pennex.”
Henry had the impression he was about to be set down, by a pup of a viscount no less. It might have been more amusing had the viscount in question not been a person of importance to Anna. The last time someone important to her had spoken to him, it had been a warning to stay away.
“I hope you will forgive my impertinence, Lord Carrington, but I wanted to speak with you about Anna.”
Henry didn’t reply, not certain what direction Percy was going to take with this, though he could guess.
“What I mean to say is, I know who you are.” His voice was low and Henry hoped this conversation would not be overheard. “I know who you are to Anna, or rather, who you were.”
“I am no one to her.”
Percy’s brows rose in doubt. “We both know that is not true.”
Henry crossed his arms over his chest and his look hardened. Not meant to intimidate, but he was still an earl, and at least ten years Percy’s senior. If Percy wanted to protect Anna, Henry wasn’t going to make it easy on him. “Are you here to warn me away from your stepmother?”
Percy shook his head. “Not at all. She is not mine to control, and I respect her enough to let her make her own decisions. She loved my sister and I when we gave her every reason not to. We simply want her happiness. It is not my place to inquire of your intentions, but whatever they may be, I must ask you to consider the hurt she has already endured as a result of your previous association.”
Henry shifted his weight. “I assure you, I have no intentions towards An-- Lady Rycroft.” Henry didn’t know why he felt the need to defend himself to Anna’s stepson, but it took gall to say what he had. Henry owed him respect for that. “It is mere chance our paths crossed here as they did. I am bound for America in a fortnight.”
“And afterwards?” Percy’s blue eyes were gentle, but intelligent.
“There is no afterwards.”
Percy nodded thoughtfully. “Often things we set in motion have a way of altering, due to our own decisions or those made for us. Your course may change. Please just keep her happiness in your thoughts should such a thing occur.” He bowed to Henry. “My lord. I hope you find what you are looking for this afternoon.”
Percy turned and strode from the room.
That had not gone as expected. The young Lord Rycroft had quite astonished him.
To think he could have a future with Anna was laughable, though the idea did not sit as uneasily with him as it had in the past. It was a farfetched notion, and likely wouldn’t work in the end. Better to enjoy her company for the coming days and part as friends, as they should have before.
Henry shook himself from his thoughts and quit the room.
He found Anna awaiting him in the hall and for a moment he forgot her stepson had all but given his permission for their association. He forgot he was leaving for America; he forgot the past ten years had kept them apart.
All he saw was Anna, and her lovely face, and teasing hazel eyes, and dark unruly curls that refused to stay pinned to her head.
She smiled softly at him as he approached. “Why are you looking at me like that? Have I something on my face?”
“No. You are perfect.”
She laughed. Knowing he could still make her laugh sent a beam of joy straight through his heart.
“Come. I’ve had enough of my aunt’s rules for one day. What do you say we do something reckless?”
“I’d say I haven’t done anything reckless in ten years. I doubt I would remember ho
w.”
“Then it’s past time you remembered.” He grasped her hand and pulled her deeper into the castle.
Chapter Five
This was a mistake.
Anna knew it to be true, despite her body telling her otherwise. Henry’s hand was warm, his grip gentle but strong. Holding his hand felt so natural, she hadn’t even reacted when he’d taken her hand in his.
He wove them further into the castle, near where the library sat in the back corner of the house. He turned a corner and paused in front of a narrow set of stairs.
“Those are the servants’ stairs,” Anna commented.
He waggled his brows at her. “We best be quick then, before we’re caught.”
Anna swallowed a groan and followed him. “Heavens, this is improper.”
“All the more reason to do it.” He paused at the first landing and glanced around the corner before turning up the second set.
“Can you imagine if someone found us?” she hissed. “You know how fervent the below stairs talk can be.”
“Then stop talking so we don’t get caught.”
He hadn’t dropped her hand, even as they moved up the third set of stairs. She had no idea where they were going, but she found she didn’t care. She felt like the silly girl she’d been ten years earlier, when sneaking around the castle sounded exciting, the idea of being caught thrilling. She knew better now, but instead of it making her wary, it only amplified the taboo of their activity.
“In here,” he murmured, coming to a door at the end of a corridor. Anna peeked out the window; they were at the top of the castle. Inside the door was another set of stairs, so apparently, they were not yet at the very top.
She didn’t argue, choosing to go through the door, and welcomed whatever might come.
It was cold in the room they entered at the top of the stairs, but Anna realized it wasn’t a room. It was an attic.
The attic was dim, but streaks of light stretched past shuttered windows, catching the dust where it sparkled in the air. It felt like another world up here, so far removed from the house party and Millie and Percy. They were well and truly alone. The chances of being found together felt slim.