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Anne had shed enough tears last night, but it was surprising how nice if felt to have the offer. She could trust him. She inched closer and settled her head on his shoulder and felt the warmth of his hand as he placed it on her back.
“I suppose we must look as predictable as any old married couple, enjoying the peace and quiet of a spring morning together.”
“Ah, but we happen to be much more interesting than anyone gave us credit for in our youth. We reached far beyond the merepredictableand are enjoying something altogether better indeed.”
She smiled. “I’m glad that this is what we chose.”
“I’m sorry that it took so long for us to get to this point. I know you had wanted it from the beginning.”
“You’re giving it to me now,” she told him. “It’s enough.”
“Now tell me about love lost.”
It was a struggle to find words to express the emptiness she felt. “I am unmoored,” Anne said after a pause. “Adrift in the sea, no lighthouse, no lodestar to guide me to shore. Letty is so much more to me than a lover. I love her, Hawthorne. But I haven’t told her because I don’t think she’ll have me.”
“If there’s one thing I have learned about love—and you are free to assume that over the years, I have studied it plenty—it is to take what is freely offered and make sure to give it back in spades.”
“What kind of advice is that?”
“If you are lucky enough to find love, then love with your whole heart. Don’t hide it. Shout it from the bloody rooftop. Let Miss Barrow know how you feel and let her make a decision. But don’t make the decision for her because you were too afraid to tell her how you feel.”
Sir Phineas entered, the pug trotting in with him. “I don’t mean to interrupt.”
“This isn’t what you might think.” Anne rose from the sofa.
He grinned. “Do you truly think for one moment that I would believe the two of you have changed all manner of nature and have fallen into a deep passion?”
“Stranger things might have happened, but not today, Sir Phineas. Hawthorne remains all yours.”
He swept into a bow. “I appreciate you keeping him warm for me, Your Grace.”
Hawthorne barked with laughter. “I would have come home a long time ago if I had known what domestic bliss we could have created together.”
Anne hadn’t realized how much she would gain with Hawthorne’s presence. Having someone else inhabit the house who knew her secrets, and indeed shared them—this was indeed the comfort she had thought to gain upon their marriage.
How sweet it would be to have Letty here too. It was more than a house when she was in it, bustling around and fixing it up and bringing her magic to everything she touched. Including Anne. It was a home. It could betheirhome.
If that was what Letty wanted, anyway.
Hawthorne was right. She had to tell Letty how she felt. She had to take a risk if she wanted any hope of the reward of their love.
“How are preparations for the grand opening coming along?” Sir Phineas asked.
“Mrs. MacInnes and I ran through the details together this morning and everything is well in hand. Hawthorne, I thought your speech could be delivered before the musicians started to play.”
He nodded. “Excellent, thank you. Has Prince George accepted the invitation?”
“Not yet. But a great many others have confirmed their attendance.”
“I had wanted him there to lend more weight behind the speech. But we shall make do.” There was strain around his eyes, and Sir Phineas squeezed his shoulder.
Anne threw very few social events, and the prince had never refused any that he had been invited to. Not having an answer at allwas unusual, and boded ill. Hawthorne wanted him in attendance to lend legitimacy to his place among the highest of High Society after so many years of absence from the court.
But if the prince didn’t show up, would it appear as a mark of disfavor on Hawthorne and the choices he had made in his life? Would onlookers count a royal absence as a slight against them both? Anne’s place at her husband’s side would give him some credibility, and would smooth over any overt grumbling, but it could only take it so far. The prince was key to social rehabilitation.
“Will Miss Barrow be in attendance?” Sir Phineas asked, wagging his brow. He was clearly attempting to lighten the mood.
The grand opening was for Hawthorne’s benefit and the guest list was limited to the people with whom he sought to curry favor.
