The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh (32 page)

A
nna stared up at the bed hangings. “We are in agreement,” Anna said. “Sebastian, you and Harry will spend the night at the Priory. Emma and I shall remain here with the girls.”

“Did I agree to that?” he said. “It doesn't sound like something I'd do.”

She'd been awake for the past hour, making plans. Anna turned to study her intended's face and became distracted by his chest. She propped herself up on one arm. With her free hand, she stroked his soft curling hair. “Did Worthington accept your invitation?”

Sebastian kissed the top of her head and shifted her over him. “Yes, and Huntley.”

Anna shifted over to lie prone on top of him, folded her arms, and gazed into his eyes, molten silver. Small lines crinkled from the corners.

She loved how desire and humor mingled in his expression. “I wish Phoebe and Marcus could be here, but they're still in Paris.”

Sebastian's hand, warm and heavy, stroked down her back and over her bottom. She sighed. “We have much to do today. Your mother and her husband are arriving today.”

She lost her train of thought as his fingers slid into her. Oh, that was good. Then suddenly, she was underneath him, her legs spread wide. The head of his erect shaft thrusting in and out, teasing her. Anna moaned with pleasure and tried to gather her wits. “But, we need . . .”

“Later.” Sebastian plunged fully into her.

Anna held him close as tremor upon tremor exploded through her. This time, instead of whirling off into oblivion, she stayed with him. Anna wondered how it was that an act so physical could, at the same time, be so ethereal. She concentrated on the sensations, then let go to join him as he came.

He held her close to him, trying not to think about tonight when he'd sleep without her. The last time hadn't worked at all well, for either of them. Anna was everything to him now. His lover, friend, confidante, and, tomorrow, his wife. He needed to make this moment last. Rutherford tucked her next to him.

“As I was about to say,” Anna continued as if there had been no interruption, “I think your mother and her husband, I will be glad to know his last name, should dine with us this evening.”

Rutherford fixed her with a look. “Tell me that was not what you were thinking about a few moments ago.”

She turned to meet his gaze with a soft, loving look. “No, I thought of you, of us.”

“Good. I'll meet you in the breakfast room.” He kissed her one last time. “We can go over your lists then.”

When he entered the breakfast room, Harry and Emma were just sitting down, but Anna wasn't there. “Have you seen my affianced wife?”

Harry's eyes sparkled with mischief. “Have you lost her already?”

Emma shook her head at Harry in admonishment, but ruined the effect by giggling. “She breezed in and out again, saying she'd forgotten something. Why don't you let me pour you a cup of tea? I'm sure she'll be back in a few minutes.”

Rutherford would be damned if he'd sit with the two of them laughing at him. “Thank you, but I'm going to find her.”

Before he was down the corridor, Harry gave a bark of laughter. Rutherford finally tracked Anna down at the stables handing a missive to one of the grooms. “What are you doing?” That came out rougher than he'd wanted. “I thought we were to meet in the breakfast room?”

Anna smiled. “I needed to send a note to your cook. I want her to arrange an initial store of foodstuffs for the dower-house. I'm ready now.”

He escorted her to the breakfast room, but for all the time he was able to spend with her, he might just as well have left her in the stables or, better yet, not let her out of bed.

A steady stream of people, from servants to family members, all seemed to need her attention. At any other time, he would have enjoyed the competent picture of Anna as she sent her minions about their duties. This morning, all he wanted was her attention.

“I'm sorry, my love.” She put down her cup and stood. “I need to go attend to some issues that have arisen. We'll leave for the dower-house soon.”

He heaved a sigh. “I'll be ready when you come back down. How are my clothes being taken to the Priory?”

“By cart. Robertson is packing your trunk and shall take them over. My maid will ride with him to settle my things.” Anna left.

Rutherford nodded to the empty room. Even his valet knew which side his bread was buttered on.

Harry joined him and sat down. “Did you know we're being banished?”

“So I've been informed. I was told I agreed to it, but I don't remember.”

“It was probably at a weak moment,” Harry said in sympathy. “I'm sure I wasn't asked at all.”

“I take it we're to spend a convivial evening with Huntley and Worthington.”

“Yes, but not too convivial. I've been told, quite bluntly, that if I arrive at the church under the hatches, it will be the worse for me.”

“I wonder why it is,” Rutherford said, “that neither of us could have had the good sense to choose a biddable miss?”

Harry's eyes gleamed with laughter. “We'd have been bored to death within a fortnight.”

Rutherford's lips twitched. “If it took that long.”

“Sebastian, are you ready?”

“Coming now, my love.”

Anna was half-way down the side corridor leading to the stable yard when he caught up with her, grabbed her around her waist, and hauled her to him.

“Sebastian, what?”

“This.” He bent Anna back against his arm and kissed her deeply. When he raised his head, her eyes were dazed.

“What was that for?”

“For being who you are.”
My own personal harridan
.

“Oh.” She smiled. “How nice.”

“Let's try to accomplish what's on your list. With any luck at all, we may contrive to find some time for ourselves.”

They arrived at the dower-house to find wisps of smoke escaping from the chimneys.

“Who would be here?” Rutherford asked.

“The staff I hired,” she replied as he handed her down from the carriage.

“You hired the staff?”

Her eyes opened wide. “Yes, why not? It doesn't do your mother a bit of good to hire them in London. Griffin, Mrs. Thurston, and I got together and made up a list of what we thought necessary.”

Anna took his arm and led him through the gate to the house. “The butler and housekeeper are local but used to a London household. I think your mother will like them.”

Rutherford took in the newly painted black door and shining brass knocker. The dower-house was a small manor with two floors above the ground level, cellars, and attics. Ornamental gardens surrounded it to the front and sides, bordered by a low stone wall. The back housed a large, walled kitchen garden. It was on a walking path to Thanport. The door opened, and the butler called the staff to assemble in the hall.

Rutherford bent and whispered in Anna's ear, “I take it we are paying their salaries?”

“Yes. Your mother admitted to me she has never had to hold house. I thought it better.”

“I quite agree, but how do you know all of this?”

Her brows rose in surprise. “Naturally, I've been corresponding with your mother.”

“Of course.” Rutherford met the staff and was surprised by the size of the two footmen and a military-looking valet. Though, when he found a chair on wheels with footrests in one of the parlors, he understood. “An invalid chair. Can he walk at all?” Rutherford asked Anna.

“He now has a prosthesis for one leg, and he is starting to get around on a cane.”

“The valet, I take it, was in the military?”

Anna nodded. “His old batman.”

“Do we know John's full name yet?”

Grinning, she responded, “Yes. I had a letter waiting from your mother this morning. Colonel John Forthsyth.”

She greeted the butler and the rest of the staff, before being taken on an inspection of the house.

When they'd finished, Rutherford glanced at the clock on the mantel. “Where are we taking luncheon?”

“At the Priory,” Anna replied. “Emma and Harry are joining us.”

Anna put her hand on his arm. “My lord?”

Rutherford led her back to the carriage.

They arrived at the Priory to find not only Harry and Emma but Rutherford's two friends, Gervais, Earl of Huntley, and Mattheus, Earl of Worthington.

“You two are here early,” Rutherford said. There went any hope he'd have some time today with Anna. “What time did you leave this morning?”

Worthington bowed to Anna and shook Rutherford's hand. “Eight o'clock. We had a ding-dong race. Famous sport.”

“You will have to tell Rutherford and Harry all about it this evening.” Anna took Rutherford's arm and led him to the family dining room.

Emma turned to Harry. “Ding-dong race?”

“It means they are well matched and the betting was running high.”

“Ah.” She sat in the chair he held out for her.

Anna signaled for the staff to serve and turned to Worthington on her left. “Tell us all the
on dits.
”

Worthington and Huntley entertained them with several stories, including a scandal involving a young couple who had run off to Scotland to marry. It was mid-afternoon before they rose from the table.

A footman brought a message to Anna from the dower-house that Colonel and Mrs. Forthsyth had arrived. “Please tell Mrs. Forthsyth that I hope her trip was not very tedious and, if they are not too fagged, I'd love to see them at the Hill for dinner. If not, we shall see them in church tomorrow at ten o'clock.”

“Yes, miss.”

When Anna turned back to the table, Lord Huntley was staring at her. She returned his look with a challenging one of her own. Rutherford held back his laughter. His friend had never seen Anna in her element before.

“Is there anything wrong, my lord?” Anna asked.

Huntley gave an imperceptible shake of his head. “No, no, nothing at all. I just—well—who is Mrs. Forthsyth?”

“Rutherford's mother,” Anna said. “She married late last week. As much as I wish we could remain, Miss Spencer-Jones and I must leave.”

“It seems like everyone is getting married.” Worthington rubbed his jaw. “It might be time for me to think about it as well.”

Huntley looked at him aghast. “I wish you joy. I believe I shall wait a while yet.”

A footman pulled Anna's chair out, and the gentlemen rose when Anna and Emma did.

“My love, I'll escort you to the door.” Rutherford swiftly reached her and placed her hand on his arm.

“I shall come as well,” Harry added.

Rutherford looked at Worthington and Huntley. “Harry and I will be back shortly.”

He pulled Anna into a parlor, locked the door, and kissed her. “I love you. You won't be late tomorrow, will you?”

“No.” She pulled him back down to her. “How can you even ask? I'll make sure we all leave in good time.”

He released his erection and kept her distracted until her gown was rucked up. Rutherford lifted her and mumbled into her mouth, “Put your legs around me.” He lowered her on to him and moaned. There was nothing better than being inside Anna. She was his haven, his home.

Heated from his kisses, Anna didn't even think to question him. Her need and her love for him had become so powerful she couldn't imagine a life without her Sebastian. She spun out of control as he drove deeper into her, filling her and showing his love.

Lifting her off him, he set her gently on the floor. Anna's legs wobbled, and she clung to him for a bit. “Tonight is going to be awful.”

“Hellish,” he agreed.

“I'm so used to waking up with you.”

He kissed her again. “Stay with me.”

Anna shook her head. “It's not fair to tease me. You know I cannot.”

“I know.” He unlocked the door, and they entered the corridor arm in arm.

Emma and Harry walked out from another room. It occurred to Anna she must look quite as disheveled as her soon-to-be-sister did.

“I'm going to escort you,” Rutherford said.

“You don't need to, really,” Anna protested. “It is not that far.”

“No, I do need to, and the light is failing. I'll ask if Huntley and Worthington want to come.”

Anna gave an order to have four horses saddled and Harry's curricle brought around. Griffin helped her into her mantle and cloak. She'd just finished donning her gloves when the men walked into the hall. With great bonhomie they escorted the ladies home and invited themselves in for tea.

The gentlemen were getting ready to leave when a footman entered the room. “My lord, a letter just arrived from London for you.”

Rutherford held out his hand, took the missive, broke open the seal, and perused the letter's contents. “I'll meet you at the stables,” he said to the gentlemen.

Once they'd left, Sebastian handed Anna the letter. “It's from Jamison. He wishes us all happy on our wedding day. Harry is to be made a baronet. He says he hopes you'll understand, my love, that he could not give you a similar honor, but trusts that the amount the government paid your smugglers will be compensation enough.”

Anna refused to be upset about the snub to herself. “I understand. I think it's wonderful about Harry, but why is Harry receiving a baronetcy?”

“Partially for his hardship,” Sebastian replied. “Harry is the only one of us he could reward. No, wait.” Sebastian took the letter back and read down farther.