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Pulling away, Ana nibbled her lips in a way Gabriel recognized as her worrying. Cupping her face, he asked, “What is it, Ana? What is bothering you?”
She swallowed before blurting. “My parents are in town, and they want to meet you tomorrow morning. I didn’t think to consult you first, and while I suspect it goes against your rules, I promised them you would come and see. I am so—”
He cut her off with a kiss while mentally jabbing a thick black line through another rule, marking it as broken, but oddly he didn’t find that he cared that much. “It’s fine, sweetheart; just tell me when and where. I will be there.”
CHAPTER TEN
Rule Ten: Never Meet her Mama
The game is between you and the lady; no one else needs to be involved, especially her mother—you will never meet her standards anyway.
—Gabriel Williams
A Rakes’ Rules.
“Dearest Ana,” her mother, Theodora Porter,said as she came into the house, tears in her eyes. She did not bother with removing her travelling coat or bonnet but enveloped Anastasia in a warm, loving, embrace. “I have missed you so. Our cottage feels so empty with you gone.”
“I’ve missed you too, Mother,” Anastasia replied.
“Now, now, let the girl breathe dear,” Simon, her father chuckled wryly while embracing his older sister, Aunt Elizabeth. “We’ll be here for a while yet.”
As glad as Anastasia was to see her parents, a tight ball of nerves had lodged itself in her chest from the moment she had told Gabriel about their arrival, and now, half-a-day later, it had not dissipated. She didn’t know their reactions would be when they realized she was being courted by the worst rakehell in London—a man she dearly believed she had begun to love.
I cannot utter those words to him—he is doing me the biggest of favors by enhancing my chances to wed when he leaves me.
“Aunt Theodora!” Margaret exclaimed as she ran into the room. “I’ve missed you.”
“Darling!” Theodora smiled widely, peeling away from Anastasia to hug her niece. “My oh my, you’ve grown so much. What a lovely gown.”
“This old thing? It’s practically a rag,” Margaret laughed, showing her perfectly white, even teeth before she twirled in place, letting the robin blue morning dress flare out. “I thought I would give it a final whirl before bestowing it upon my maid or dear Ana if she would like it.”
Reddening, Anastasia shook her head. “Er, thank you, cousin.” Hurrying to change the conversation, she turned to her parents, “Mom, it is getting late and Gabr—I mean His Grace will here at six. Please, try to be ready on time.”
“Oh, yes, yes,” Theodora replied as she looked at the mantle clock which read a quarter past five. “If the rains had not delayed us for so long, we would have arrived earlier. Simon, lets, please.”
While adjusting his spectacles, her father smiled humoredly. “Yes, dear.”
When her parents disappeared up the stairs and to their room, Anastasia sucked in a breath. “I should prepare too.”
Steeping into her room, Anastasia breathed in relief at the bath Marianne had drawn for her and the gown already laid out on the bed. Made of fine cream silk, the feel of it was like butter between her fingers. The gown was patterned with a gold geometric design with pale amber underskirts.
Running her hand down the skirts, Ana forced herself to stop worrying—but the ember of fear stayed in her chest like a burning coal. She prayed the night would not turn Gabriel away from her—she was sure he would see how rustic her beginnings were.
“Miss,” Marianne said from the washroom’s door. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, yes,” she nodded. “I am.”
It was nerve wracking to say the least waiting for Gabriel to appear; it had taken all her self-control not to fidget, or at worst, send a footman to tell Gabriel not to come. Promptly at six, the footman had admitted him in.
Splendidly dressed in dark dinner suit and a silver-blue waistcoat, Gabriel entered, his expression mostly neutral but slightly pleased. Standing, Anastasia felt rather than saw his gaze run over her, the trail of his eyes as heated as his touch would be.
He greeted her first with a bow and a kiss to her cheek. “I come bearing gifts. Where are your parents?”
“If by gifts you mean bribes, I am sure father will see right through it.” Anastasia smiled though her heart walloped in her chest. “They are not down yet.”
“Good, so—”
“I can see what you are thinking, but there is no time,” Anastasia said as she pulled away, just in the nick of time too as her father came into the drawing room.
