Chapter Seven
Anne had no idea how long she sat staring at the fire in the library. The smell of books and leather wrapped around her like a warm blanket. The heat of the fire, combined with the wine she had drunk on a nearly empty stomach, was making her drowsy. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes, drifting into that place between sleep and awareness. The sound of the door opening startled her.
“Sophia, please just give me five more minutes before I have to face them again.”
“If you think five minutes will be enough.” Nathaniel Matthews’s deep voice held a tinge of laughter as he closed the door and moved into the room.
Anne groaned. This was the last thing she needed. “Sir, with you I’d need weeks. Can you just leave me in peace.”
He moved a chair to face hers and sat down. She couldn’t look away from the earnest expression on his face.
“Is there anything I can do?” His voice was low and rumbled up her spine.
Anne sat up and slipped on her shoes. “No, I think you’ve done enough. I’m glad I could be so entertaining at dinner tonight.”
“You don’t like being laughed at.”
“I prefer being laughed with.”
“Point taken. We seem doomed to be at cross purposes.”
Anne looked, really looked, at Nathaniel. The firelight played along his strong jaw. His eyes were kind. “Why aren’t you in the drawing room, Mr. Matthews?”
“It’s Nathaniel, and I’m here for the same reason as you, to escape. I’m sorry if you thought I was laughing at you earlier. Frankly, I thought you handled Mrs. Worth’s rudeness very graciously.”
“You missed the show in the drawing room,” Anne muttered.
“That bad?”
Anne turned back to the fire. “Worse. I lost my temper. I never lose my temper.”
“In that we are alike.”
“What do you mean?”
“We both like to be in control. I would have had a difficult time handling the debacle yesterday, as well as Mrs. Worth’s behavior today. I commend you on how well you dealt with both.”
Anne laughed bitterly. “I’m not very proud of my behavior.”
“Nor I. We tend to let people like Mrs. Worth get under our skin.”
Anne chuckled. “I don’t know whether to thank you or be offended.”
“I meant it as a compliment. Mr. Worth was quite open while we drank our port.”
“I don’t care to know,” Anne said sharply. She then sighed. “I’m sorry. The village gossip is rabid.”
“I expect the matrons are expecting Mr. Worth to make an offer.” His voice was gentle.
The thought of Mr. Worth proposing soured her stomach even further. Anne closed her eyes. Between the wish, Nathaniel Matthews’s presence, and now this, she just wanted to crawl into her bed and pull the covers over her head.
“Would you—consider an offer from Mr. Worth?”
There was something uncertain in his voice that startled Anne. “It may be the only decent offer I get.”
“Surely that’s not true.”
“Do you see a line of suitors lined up at the door?” His presence was disturbing. She could feel his eyes on her. “Why are you staring at me?”
Nathaniel smiled. “I like the way the firelight plays with the red in your hair.”
Anne felt her face heat. “Please don’t.”
“I thought women liked compliments,” Nathaniel teased.
“I prefer honesty.” She kept her voice brisk. She was starting to like him a good deal too much.
“I am being honest. You deserve more than Mrs. Worth’s insults. More than your sister’s disdain as well.”
“With all due respect, Mr. Matthews, you do not know of what you speak.” Anne stood and brushed the wrinkles out of her dress. “I should return to the parlor.”
Nathaniel stood and touched her arm. “Wait, Anne. I meant no offense.”
“No offense taken, sir. You are entitled to your opinion. In this case, I’d appreciate it if you’d mind your own business.”
Nathaniel moved closer to her, blocking out the light of the fire with his height. She looked up but couldn’t see his face in the shadows. Awareness coursed through her and she fought the urge to step back. His scent, a mixture of wine and spice, surrounded her. It was a heady mix and she breathed it in deeply.
“I’d like to know you better, Anne.” He lifted her chin so that he could see her face. His fingers were gentle against her skin and he rubbed his thumb along her jawline. “There’s just something about you.”
Anne shivered from his touch, so warm on her skin. “Sir, I don’t think—”
He chuckled softly as he stroked her jaw. “You think a good deal too much, Miss Townsend. Sometimes you just need to feel.”
He lowered his head to hers, his eyes on her mouth.
“Don’t,” Anne whispered.
“I can’t help myself.”
Nathaniel brushed his lips ever so gently against hers and she let her eyes close. She stood still, unable to move as his mouth brushed across hers several times. She gasped and he took the kiss deeper, settling his lips more firmly on hers. Anne put her hands on his chest to push him away, but as his tongue slipped into her mouth, she felt her knees go weak and she clung to him instead. He was ever so gentle, teasing her into a response she couldn’t have hidden if she wanted to. Fire licked through her and she pushed her arms around his neck and her hands into his dark, curly hair. He lifted his head slightly and she stared up at him in a daze. He gently kissed her again and stepped back.
“We should return to the parlor.” His voice was gravelly. He pulled her arms from around his neck and squeezed her hands gently. “Perhaps you will give me the pleasure of hearing you play. I’ve been told you are quite talented.”
Anne pulled in a steady breath. Her face felt as if it were on fire. There was no way she could face the group in the parlor now. Sophia would certainly know something had happened. “Perhaps you should go ahead, sir. We should not be seen entering together.”
Nathaniel brushed a finger down her cheek before releasing her. “Always proper, aren’t you, Anne?” He kissed her hand and left as quietly as he had arrived.
Anne sunk into a nearby chair. “Oh my.” She touched her lips with her hand, sure that they’d be swollen from his kiss. Her heart thudded in her chest. How would she face him again? How would she face Lady Danford?
“The wish,” Anne whispered aloud. It was the only explanation for Nathaniel’s attentions. Fairy magic that made him attracted to her. Anne’s shoulders slumped. She had been foolish to believe he really felt something for her. She would have to guard against any further interactions with Nathaniel. He could steal her heart before she had a chance to stop him. If her reaction to his kiss was any indication, it might be too late.
Anne stood outside the parlor door. Her hair was as tamed as it was going to get. Her lips were still swollen. She could still feel Nathaniel Matthews’s mouth against hers.
Lord, will they be able to tell I’ve been kissed? She composed her face.
“Anne, where have you been?” Sophia rushed forward. “The gentlemen have been here for some time now.”
Anne blushed as she caught Nathaniel watching her. “Sophia, keep your voice down and don’t make a fuss.”
Sophia frowned at her and looked closer. “What is wrong with you? You look flushed.”
Anne resisted the urge to raise her hands to her cheeks. “I had a slight headache.”
“I was just coming to ask if you could play for us. You don’t have to bite my head off.”
“Fine.”
Anne made her way to the piano, not looking at anyone. She sorted through the music and picked a piece. Her fingers moved across the keys automatically. She let the music soothe her still-racing pulse. She looked up to find Nathaniel watching.
His clear blue eyes scorched her. She stumbled over the passage she was playing. She turned back to the music with a vengeance.
“Perhaps if you would play a jig, we could dance,” Sophia said as she moved to replace the sheet music Anne was playing with another. “Please, Anne?”
“There aren’t enough couples for a dance,” Anne replied. “Besides, this piece suits my mood.”
“Tony can dance with Juliet and I’ll dance with Mr. Matthews,” Sophia insisted. “I’m in the mood for a dance.”
“Fine.” Anne started playing the jig. Sophia scampered across the parlor and smiled at Nathaniel. Anne watched as they danced together. He was the perfect foil to Sophia’s beauty despite the heated glances he shot her way. Anne quickly looked away toward Juliet, who was dancing with Tony. He was also watching Sophia and his brother. Meanwhile Juliet was staring up at Tony adoringly.
Anne looked back at the music as Sophia laughed at something Nathaniel said. She felt a pang of jealousy. He was probably thinking that he had kissed the wrong sister. He caught her looking at him. Anne hit a wrong key and winced.
“You usually play so well, Miss Townsend,” Cecil said, peering over her shoulder.
“I’m sorry it’s not up to your expectations, Mr. Worth.” If she focused on the music perhaps he’d go away. He smelled of vinegar and wine. She wrinkled her nose.
He whispered in her ear. “Do you think I could call on you tomorrow?”
“I don’t think I’ll be available for a private audience tomorrow,” Anne said, finishing the jig.
“Anne, play another,” Sophia said loudly.
“Perhaps someone else can play so Miss Townsend can dance,” Nathaniel said.
“No one plays as well as Anne,” Sophia said. “She doesn’t mind.”
“No, I don’t mind.” Anne sorted through the music for another piece to play, watching Nathaniel bow to Sophia.
Mr. Worth peered over Anne’s shoulder while she continued to play, even turning the pages of the music for her. It was just another typically disappointing evening.
The next morning, Nathaniel sat at the breakfast table rereading an old newspaper while waiting for Tony to come down. It took ten days to get any news from London, putting him behind on all the current business news. He wadded up the paper and threw it into the fire. He couldn’t believe a woman was keeping him here, especially a woman like Anne Townsend.
She wasn’t his type. She was short, much shorter than he. She was stubborn, bossy, and too practical for her own good.
Nathaniel smiled, remembering her with the fireplace poker, ready to wield it against her half brother. He liked her courage and her loyalty to her sisters. He was drawn to her like a bee to honey.
Kissing Anne had been a very bad idea. Very enjoyable, but bad. If they had been caught last night, he’d be engaged to her this morning.
Marriage to a Townsend was the last thing he needed. Nathaniel needed to accomplish his business and be done with Beetham before he was tempted any further.
“You’re up disgustingly early,” Tony said, coming into the breakfast room.
“I’m usually up early.” Nathaniel watched as Tony poured.
Tony took a seat. “Did you enjoy dinner last night?”
“Of course.”
“You’ve had the chance to see Sophia on several different occasions. Isn’t she an angel?”
“She’s nice enough.” Nathaniel toyed with the food on his plate. “Are you still planning to marry this girl?”
“Of course. Where did you and her sister disappear to?”
Nathaniel looked up at his brother, surprised that he’d noticed. “I don’t know where she was, but I stepped out for a bit of fresh air. Mrs. Worth was insufferable.”
“Cecil is a bore, but his mother is worse. It was odd that he showed so much attention to Anne. He even said outright that he needed to marry for money.”
Nathaniel was saved from commenting by Lady Danford as she breezed into the room. “Good morning. I see we are already starting on our day.”
“Thank you for having Sophia and her sisters over last night, Grandmother,” Tony said. “I’m off to call on Sophia. They have so little help around the cottage that I thought I’d chop some wood for them. The nights are getting cold.”
“Who are you and what have you done with my brother?” Nathaniel said snidely. He’d never known Tony to do anything so exerting.
“Don’t be an ass. I know how to use an axe.” Tony quickly finished his tea and stood to leave.
“Just don’t chop your leg off,” Nathaniel yelled as Tony left the room.
“Well, last night was interesting,” Lady Danford said. “Where did you disappear to and why did Anne come back to the parlor flushed?”
“I don’t know what you mean, ma’am.” Nathaniel kept his voice neutral. “I escaped for some fresh air.”
“I saw you baiting Anne at dinner.” Lady Danford’s voice grew sharp. “I won’t have you treating her disrespectfully. She’s been through enough without you adding to it,” she said as she helped herself to tea and toast.
“You are always defending her.”
“I like Anne. She’s not simpering like that middle sister of hers. I try to help when I can, but she just won’t allow it. Very prideful she is. She reminds me of me at that age.”
Nathaniel fought the urge to squirm. “What’s the point of this conversation?”
Lady Danford nailed him with one of her looks. “I won’t have you meddling with her. She doesn’t need to have her heart broken by you.”
Now he did squirm. “What makes you so sure I’d break her heart?”
“I know how you are. You’ll push until you have her figured out, then leave, and I’ll have to pick up the pieces.”
“You don’t stop Tony from seeing Sophia.” Nathaniel winced at the defensiveness in his tone. Bloody hell, what was with this girl?
“In some ways Sophia is much wiser in the ways of the world than Anne is. Because her sisters garner most of the attention, Anne has not had the opportunity to know how to deal with men like you.”
Nathaniel sat up in his chair. Even his grandmother couldn’t talk to him like this. “What do you mean by ‘men like me’?”
“Anne Townsend won’t stand a chance against you if you set your mind to seduce her. I know you won’t marry her.”
He bristled under his grandmother’s stare. “I have no intention of seducing Anne Townsend.”
“Humph. You’ve watched her like a hawk watches its prey since you met her. Since that no-good brother of hers doesn’t protect her, I will.”
“Madam, you overstep your bounds,” Nathaniel said coldly. “I have the highest respect for Anne Townsend.”
“Of course you do. But I know how men’s minds work. Hurt my Anne and you’ll feel my wrath.”
“Your Anne? When did she become your Anne?”
“When you started looking at her as if you want to devour every inch of her.”
“Grandmother, I am a gentleman.”
“Stay away from her.”
“I’m not sure I can do that,” Nathaniel said quietly to himself.
Lady Danford set down her teacup. He watched the gleam in her eye. “So that’s the way of it,” she said with a knowing smile.
“I’m simply curious about the family Tony wants to marry into.” He needed to keep his grandmother from interfering until he had better control of the situation. He hadn’t figured out where Anne fit into things yet. He didn’t need others jumping to conclusions. “Leave it alone, Grandmother. Please.”
Lady Danford sipped her tea, her eyes boring into him as if she could read his mind.