Page 10 of The Lady's Forbidden Marquess
But something that Anna had mentioned left an unwelcome reminder that rubbed part of her heart raw.In truth, ideally, Pere would be having these sorts of discussions with her mother.But, as Anna said, Lady Devon was preoccupied with Anna’s eldest brother.Last season, Edwin had made a very public courtship for Anna’s hand.In the aftermath, Pere could see how it was for all the wrong reasons, but Edwin had never been one to consider anything but his own ideas and plans.
It was quite the upset when Henley usurped his brother by winning Anna’s heart, and her parents’ blessing all before Edwin knew there was a competitor in the ring.But only being aware of one’s self had a way of clouding judgment, and those were Edwin’s greatest sins—arrogance and pride.When the betrothal was announced, Edwin’s pride couldn’t handle the blow, so he took his leave of the country.It didn’t help that the truth of several other skeletons in her brother’s closet had come to light at the same time as the betrothal.Pere didn’t blame him for running, but the fallout with their mother had been great.
Because her favorite son was absent.And his correspondence was few and far between.The house felt like a mausoleum now—grand, echoing, cold.Pere could walk the corridors and hear her own footsteps answer back, mocking her solitude.
“You’re awfully quiet?”Anna asked, breaking into Pere’s thoughts.
Pere glanced up to her friend, seeing her quiet observation.“I… am just thinking.”
“About?”
Pere hitched a shoulder.“Mother.”
“Ah.”Anna nodded, then came back to sit beside her friend.
Anna grasped her hand tenderly, her eyes full of compassion.
“I don’t want your pity.”
“You don’t have it.”Anna patted her hand affectionately.“Has she improved at all?”
“No.Still waits for the letters.Doesn’t she know that he, under the best of circumstances, is a horrible correspondent?”
“She should.”
“But she won’t believe it, she… she won’t believe anything she doesn’t want to believe.It’s so… strange.And sad.Why?Why would someone have such an intentional blind spot for a person, a child?”
Anna lifted a shoulder and shook her head.“I’m not certain.I’m an only child, so my parents never had to share their love and affection with anyone but me.But I can assure you, they do not hesitate to correct any character flaws.”Anna gave a soft laugh.
“My mother… she sees the flaws in my character and Henley.Good Lord, poor Henley.”
Anna’s expression tightened.“It frustrates me greatly that your mother doesn’t see the caliber of character in Henley.He is… far more than he gives himself credit for, and exceedingly more than his mother has to say about it.”
“I know.It’s madness.”Pere huffed.“And Edwin, who has done grave damage to Henley’s character—or tried—and who was willing to marry you and keep his bloody mistress…” Pere twisted her lips.“Don’t tell Henley I said that.”
“He’s heard worse.”
Pere giggled, a much-needed release from her melancholy and frustration with the subject matter at hand.“That is true.”She sighed.“Regardless, it baffles me.And I wish she’d take some interest in my season but…”
“She won’t.”
“No.”
“I’m sorry.But you aren’t alone.”Anna patted her friend’s hand, again.“You have me and Henley.We’re not bad company.”
“No.But my brother needs to stop wearing that perpetual glare or else they will think the love match has ended,” Pere badgered.
“Oh please, that man looks at me with more heat than a torch.It’s glorious.They will all assume the frustration is aimed at you,” Anna quipped lightly.
“Probably.”Pere gave a soft laugh, then straightened her posture when the maids came in with the tea service.
The scent of freshly baked biscuits filled the air and distracted her.
“Thank you,” Anna replied as the maids left.“I’ll pour for you, and I suspect your brother will be in here shortly, so take your biscuits while I pour, so you get a few before he devours them all.”
“Beast of a man,” Pere grumbled and placed three biscuits on her plate, then grabbed a fourth and took a bite.
“Smart.”Anna nodded approvingly.
