Page 95 of What's an Earl Gotta Do?
“Which I am.”
“—then it’s impossible.”
The carriage came to a halt. Glancing out the window, Anne saw that they had arrived at Cranfield House. She hastily slid off Michael’s lap.
“It’s not impossible. Don’t look so glum. I’m going to figure something out. You’ll see.” He pressed a kiss into her palm. “I’ll come and collect you tonight, and we can drive to your parents’ house together.”
Anne forced a smile to her lips. “Tonight, then.”
Chapter 35
That evening, Anne gasped when the door to Astley House was opened by none other than her little sister Caroline.
“Caro!” Anne cried, enveloping her in a hug. “What are you doing here? I thought you meant to take a month or more for your bridal trip.”
Caro looked affronted. “You did not seriously believe I was going to miss Morsley’s return? I had Henry order the horses the moment I received Mama’s letter.”
“How wonderful,” Anne said, “that you were so eager to see an old friend.”
Caro rolled her eyes. “I didn’t interrupt my bridal trip to see Morsley. No offense, Morsley.”
Michael smiled amiably. “None taken.”
“What I wanted,” Caro said, taking Anne’s arm and steering her into the foyer, “was to be there to witness you finally coming to your senses. I only regret that I got back so late. I had to rely on Harrington and Edward for a description of the proposal, and their scope for the romantic is sadly limited.”
Anne blanched. “What do you mean, a description of the proposal?” She glanced up at Michael, and his expression confirmed the worst. “They… they were spying on us?” She paused, considering. “Although… I cannot honestly say I’m surprised.”
Caro looped her arm through Anne’s and led them toward the parlor. “You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this day. What has it been, about nine years, Morsley?”
From behind them, Michael gave an audible sigh. “Nine years,” he confirmed.
“How is it,” Anne asked, “that everyone seems to have known but me?”
“La, I have no idea!” Caro said. “How you remained oblivious for so long is utterly beyond me. He was so very obvious about it. Every time you walked into the room, he would look at you like this.” She made her eyes huge and full of longing. “And his gaze would follow you wherever you went.”
“I wasn’t that bad,” Michael grumbled.
Caro rounded on him, pointing a finger. “You most certainly were! I always knew this day would come.” She gave a dreamy sigh. “‘Anne Cranfield, Lady Morsley.’”
“Well,” Anne said crisply, “I do hope Michael and I will be able to marry. But there are some issues still to be resolved.”
“We’re getting married,” Michael said firmly.
“Of course you are. Don’t be ridiculous, Anne. Obviously you’re going to marry him.” She made a sweeping gesture. “Just look at him!”
Michael’s smile was all smugness. “Just look at me, Anne.”
“Yes, see how well Morsley looks, now that he’s grown into his hands and feet?” Caro took Anne’s hand and deliberately placed it on Michael’s arm, posing them together. “And look how divine the two of you look together. She has this ridiculous idea,” she said to Michael, “that she’s too tall. I have told her and told her that I would eat a bucket of leeches to have such an elegant figure, but does she listen to me? Of course not. And why should she? I’m just the leading authority on fashion in the haute ton, what would I know about it?” Caro shook her head. “Really, Anne, how you could even consider not marrying him is beyond me. If you think you’ll find another man in all of Europe who cuts half so dashing a figure, you are sadly mistaken.”
Anne felt Michael nudge her with his elbow. “You should listen to your sister.”
Anne raised her eyes heavenwards. “Because everyone knows that the basis of every successful marriage is a fine figure and the best tailoring.”
“Well,” Caro retorted, “it can’t hurt. Now, where is my husband? You know Lord Thetford, don’t you, Morsley?”
“Of course.”
“He will be getting into the brandy with Harrington, I imagine. I’d best check the library.”
