Page 50 of The Language of Love

The time slipped past with cruel swiftness as Annis did what she loved most in the world and quizzed him on a language so seductive and foreign that she felt as if she had travelled to a different country by the time he brought the carriage to a standstill sometime later.

She looked around, as if waking from a dream, and saw they were close to Hookham’s. “My goodness! I didn’t even realize we had left the park.”

“I would take that as a compliment to my riveting company, but I suspect it is the language rather than the speaker who held you so entranced.”Annis flushed at his words, which couldn’t be more wrong. “I hope my questions weren’t bothersome.”

“You would make an excellent interrogator.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, flustered. “I know I’m far too curious.”

“I enjoyed the interrogation,” he said, his gaze no longer amused.

Annis could not look away and the silence—not uncomfortable but pulsing and oddly charged—stretched.

It was Henry who broke it. “Oh, I almost forgot.” He reached into his coat and brought out a small cloth packet. “This is for you.”

Annis could smell the contents before the package was half-way to her nose. “Bergamot tea.”

“Black tea with a tiny drop of bergamot oil. You said you wanted to try it.”

Annis filled her lungs with the intoxicating scent. “How kind of you.”

“It is nothing,” he said dismissively, appearing almost embarrassed by her thanks. “I would love to come and browse books with you, but I didn’t bring a groom along. If you tell me how long you will be, I can tool the horses and then return to collect you.”

“Thank you for your kind offer, but if you took me home, it would only cause difficulties. My aunt would learn I have been jauntering about unaccompanied, with a male.”

“An unsuitable male, at that.” He smiled as he said the words, but she could see he wasn’t amused.

“Thank you, Henry, you have given me a day that I will long remember.”

“I would like to give you another unforgettable day. Are you free to meet me tomorrow?”

You know what you must say, Annis.

Annis ignored the voice. “Where?”

“Wherever you like.”

Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow… what do I have to do tomorr—

Tomorrow was the day Susannah had her last fitting for a new ball gown. Annis would need to be on hand to help with alterations, so there would be no chance of sneaking away.

“I can’t tomorrow,” she said unhappily.

“How about the next day?”

She hesitated for only a moment before deciding that she would make time for him the day after tomorrow, no matter how unwise it was to accept his attention. “Yes, the next day I can meet you.”

“Very well, where?”

Annis could not help but feel flattered that such an intelligent, attractive man appeared driven to seek her company.

“I will come back here. I’m afraid I can’t say with exactitude, but between three o’clock and half-past.”

“I’ll be here at three.”

“But I might be later, I should hate it if you had to—”

His beautiful lips curved. “I can always find something to read while I wait.”