AllFreeNovel
Share Us
They rejoined the party as Hawthorne was leading everyone into the music room. It was a good crowd, and though there was a polite swell of conversation, Letty was disappointed to see that the guests were still reserving judgment on their host. People spoke to Hawthorne, but in a cool clipped way that didn’t speak well of their future bouts in parliament together.
Anne took a leisurely look around the room filled with people, doubtlessly most whom she knew from social events. They were standing at the edge of the music room, but being a duchess meant that Anne had plenty of eyes on her no matter where she was.
She smiled up at Letty, a true smile full of love and devotion, then leaned up and kissed her.
Full on the lips.
Fully in public.
It wasn’t a passionate kiss or a long one, but it was firm and decisive, and Letty knew what it meant. It was one more gift, to show her that Anne was serious about their life together.
No more secrets.
Murmurs swirled around them.
Anne smiled serenely and tucked her hand in the crook of her arm as they started to stroll around the room. “People may say what they wish. It is we who have it all. They may well think a kiss is the mark of a duchess’s favor, like it was in older times. After their tour with Hawthorne, some may suspect it is much more.”
“You aren’t worried?”
“I didn’t realize until the night at the oyster tavern that I have the immense privilege of not needing to fear for my life, regardless of what people think may be true. We might have a dozen witnessestonight, but there are no watchmen here. I am safe enough that I can make an occasional gesture such as this, and hope that some may see it and feel less alone with their own desires.”
“Will you receive fewer invitations?”
“Perhaps, but would I even have time to attend them?” Anne told her about the signet ring, tugging off her glove and showing it to her with obvious pride. “I want to focus on the estates for now. My concerns are for the people on the land, not the gossip-mongers at the balls.”
Letty swelled with pride. This could be a life well worth living together.
There was a commotion in the grand hall, and a heavy booted footfall sounded louder and louder until Prince George stood in the hallway. It only took a moment to see that he was in his cups already though it was but late afternoon, his face florid beneath a crown of unruly curls.
“Hawthorne!” he bellowed, striding into the room, bleary-eyed. He clapped the duke on the back and chortled. “Haven’t had the chance to welcome you back to Britain’s grand shores. I’ve heard your gatherings are legendary, though perhaps not quite to my tastes.” He cast his eye over the crowd and lowered his voice to add, “This deadly dull affair doesn’t seem up to your usual snuff, I must say. We sinners ought to stick together, eh? Thick as thieves, we could be. I can take you round, you know.”
Hawthorne took a step back, his lips thinning. “There is no sin here, Your Majesty. There never has been.”
Letty understood his meaning, even if the prince didn’t. What they did and how they loved was far from sinful. It was joyful.
“Yes,” he chortled, “that’s quite the spirit. I understand. Plenty going on but nothing to see here, eh?”
Hawthorne took another step back, and Prince George frowned at him. He bowed. “I am gratified by your presence to our humble house, Your Majesty. But please do excuse me as I entertain my guests.”
The parliamentary men looked a good deal happier with Hawthorne after he snubbed the prince, who was a disruptive forcein politics. A few men even clapped him on the back, and one poured him a drink with a wide grin. Letty smiled. Things may not have gone according to the original plan, but it seemed to work out better in Hawthorne’s favor this way.
Prince George fixed his eye on Anne and kissed her hand with a bit more lavish force than Letty liked. “My dear duchess, it has been too long since I have been to one of your elegant little gatherings. May I be so bold as to say that I have noticed a change in the décor since I was last here? Charming. Very charming.”
“May I introduce Miss Letitia Barrow to you, Your Majesty? She is the one responsible for all the changes here at Hawthorne House. I am gratified to admit that her excellent taste has elevated our home.”
Letty curtsied deeper than she had thought possible.
“Delighted, Miss Barrow. Truly delighted. I like things a bit more fanciful, you know, but it’s very fine work you’ve done here.” He nodded as he looked around the room. “Very credible indeed. You know, I am doing great things in Brighton these days. Perhaps you could take a crack at a room or two in my palace there.”
He wandered off, plucking a glass of champagne from a tray.
“High favor indeed,” Anne said to Letty. “I daresay your name is well established now.”
Letty was awed. “This is higher than I ever thought to aspire.”
Anne kissed her again. “The very highest is no more than what you deserve.”
Hawthorne sauntered up to them. “I see you are making free with your affections, Annie. By the way, your son over there seems like a good lad,” he said to Letty. “During the tour, he had a few very thoughtful observations about sculpture. I think he may have absorbed more from your career over the years than you may have thought. He’s gone off with Edward now, talking about modern approaches to art.”
