Page 112 of If the Slipper Fits
The earl’s gaze found Caden, bespeaking a deep fondness that endeared him to her all the more. “As I recall, on those months yourfamily resided in the cottage, that’s all the boy ever did. Especially the later years.”
Following the earl’s pronouncement, a simultaneous snort came from Zeke, and a groan from Caden.
Anna flicked a glance toward Lady Kitty who gazed back at her wearing a beaming I-told-you-so smile. Before she could staunch the reaction, something warm and wonderful flooded her chest and spread to all her extremities.
Her mother’s words came to her again.Don’t be charmed by the likes of that Claybourne boy. That sort always stick together, Glory, no matter what. With the nobility it’s the title above all—even each other. Even over family.
She shivered.
“Have you caught a chill, my dear?” the earl asked, concern evident in his eyes.
Now she knew where Caden got his too-keen powers of observation, too.
“Not at all.”
“Nevertheless.” He led her back toward the intimate seating area before the hearth, helping her on to the sofa. “Caden, be a good lad and call the footman to serve the champagne.”
“Certainly,” Caden murmured. He sent Anna a brief wink.
Anna arranged her skirts, discomfited by her ill-timed memories. Her mother’s dire predictions had never amounted to anything. Quite the opposite, in fact. Caden had proposed to her, for goodness sake, and hadn’t he risked his family’s censure bringing her here? Hardly an example of putting the title first. So why did she suddenly fear the other shoe dangled, ready to drop?
She was safe, welcomed by Caden’s family with open arms, with the possible exception of Zeke. As for Caden, he would never knowingly hurt her.
He settled beside her. He held two flutes of champagne, tiny bubbles rising to the rim. He handed her one.
Accepting the chilled crystal, she stamped down hard on her mother’s words and her own inner disquiet.
A footman distributed the remaining champagne flutes ’til everyone in the room held one. The earl took one armchair, Lady Lillian the other, and Kitty and Zeke moved to stand before the hearth.
Zeke wrapped an arm lightly around his future countess’s waist, then held his glass aloft. He met Anna’s, then Caden’s eyes.
“To the two of you. May you live a long and healthy life together, and,” he broke off and shifted his focus to his wife. Affection softened his expression.
Kitty’s answering gaze, equally lovelorn, had Anna stifling an urge to sigh aloud.
Zeke’s focus shifted back to Caden. Was Anna seeing things, or did his lashes glisten with a sheen of moisture?
He continued, voice gruff. “May marriage bring you the happiness and joy it has me. That is my wish for you.”
A lump tightened her throat as everyone in the room heralded Zeke’s toast withHere, here.The backs of her eyes stinging, she sipped her champagne. Its sweet effervescence softened the hard constriction.
Caden’s warm palm gripped her free hand and squeezed.
Her eyes met his. “Here, here,” he whispered, his blue eyes filled with tender promise.
Hope and belonging and so much love rose up in her it was all she could do to not confess her heart to him right then and there. Heaven help her. What was she to do?
***
With the plates cleared, the ladies adjourned the dining hall for the music room, leaving Caden, Zeke, and the earl to enjoy an after dinner brandy.
Dinner tonight,sansguests, was an informal enough event that no one would have objected if Caden, or any of the three men, had opted to escort the ladies into the parlor or out on the terrace.
Though tempted, Caden hadn’t. While he suffered with an unreasonable desire to not allow Anna out of his sight, his pride didn’t relish the idea of anyone else knowing.
Besides, he and Zeke had unfinished business concerning Caden’s—and thus Anna’s—future.
Hand resting atop the white table linen, Zeke lifted one finger in a silent command. In an instant, waiting footmen set about clearing dishes and cutlery and serving the brandy goblets, before departing and closing the doors behind them.
