Page 4 of Ordered Home for the Holidays
“It did not,” her mother said.
They all laughed. Anthony’s eyes connected with hers. “There is nothing wrong with being curious.”
She nodded. “I agree.”
The conversation shifted, and Anthony sipped his wine, enjoying being home.
***
Harriet stumbled to a halt when she opened the door to the library. Anthony sat reading a book. It was late. What was hedoing up? She supposed he could say the same thing about her. His mouth quirked up at the sides, and he stood. “Be careful. If you knock these bookcases over, it will take days to reorganize them.
She glared at him but wasn’t truly upset. “I can’t help it that things tend to break around me.”
He folded his arms. “You cause them to break.”
She smirked but didn’t deny it. Her eyes dipped down, and she found herself staring at his large arms and chest. Harriet didn’t remember Anthony being so broad. She swallowed and yanked her gaze away, scolding herself for even thinking about such things.
She wasn’t looking for a husband, and even if she were, it wouldn’t be Anthony. Even though they’d grown up together, they were like oil and water. “How has life on the Continent been? You seem to be quite popular with the ladies.”
He snorted and walked to a table with a decanter of brandy. While pouring them each a glass, he said, “The papers are always wildly inaccurate.”
She took the drink but wasn’t sure she believed him. There was an air of confidence about him that he’d not had before. Something was different. Perhaps becoming a lothario did that to a man. “You seem changed.”
He raised a brow. “How so?”
Harriet swallowed. Her gaze roamed over him. Truthfully, he looked more handsome and larger than she remembered. He’d also lost the polished look that so many gentlemen had. He was tan, and it was clear he’d been doing manual labor.
“Harriet?”
She flushed, knowing he caught her studying his form. “You look older.”
He laughed. “I would hope so; it’s been five years.”
They both took sips of their drinks. Harriet wondered if he was still upset about Lillian. She knew her sister and brother-in-law missed him. They’d all been close. Even though Harriet and Anthony had always annoyed each other, after he left, her life had also felt emptier.
“They love each other deeply,” she said.
She didn’t have to explain who. He smirked. “I was a foolish young man. I wanted Lillian because everyone did. I realize now what I felt was superficial.”
That would put her sister and Philip at ease. “Have you told your brother that?”
He shook his head. “No, but I intend to.”
Harriet wondered if he genuinely felt that way. He’d left right after Philip and Lillian’s wedding. As if reading her mind, he said, “I stayed away for so long because something about being away on the Continent felt right.”
“You’d always been the Duke of Webster’s brother. I understand. I’ve always just been Lady Lillian’s sister. She was considered the epitome of a London society lady, and I was considered a mess.”
He frowned at her. “We jest about the chaos, but I’ve never just seen you as Lillian’s sister. You are much more than that.”
Harriet scoffed at his words, not believing him. He stepped towards her until they were no more than a few feet apart. “You are intelligent, curious, and confident.”
She swallowed. Her body went warm, and her mind flitted back to his comparison of her and garnets. Feeling awkward and unsure, she teased, “You would know since you’ve met so many women.”
He tilted her chin up. “I don’t need to know any other women to see how much you stand out.”
His gaze darted to her mouth, and Harriet instinctively licked her lower lip. A soft groan escaped him. What was happening? Harriet and Anthony’s eyes connected. For a mad moment, she thought he would kiss her. Not that she wanted him to.Liar.
Suddenly, he stepped back, and he ran a hand through his black hair. “I think I’m finally tired. I will leave you in the library.”
