Page 17 of Ordered Home for the Holidays
She had her garnet pendant hanging around her neck. He clutched his wine goblet as a vision of her wearing his garnets and nothing else flashed in his mind. Harriet was made for the stone, all fire and chaos.
He wanted her just as she was. Anthony frowned, realizing he had so much more to say to Harriet. Perhaps he could arrange to see her alone tonight. They had so much to speak about.
“Lord Webster, tell us what Bohemia is like,” Lady Brennar insisted, sitting across from him.
A distraction was precisely what he needed. He smiled at the older woman who’d watched him with contempt for most of the time she and her family were here. He suspected she’d only come because the invitation had been from his mother. It was impossible to refuse a dowager duchess.
He took a sip of his wine first and then said, “Bohemia is a beautiful region. Off and on, it has been immersed in turmoil.”
“Were you ever frightened to be there?” Lady Josephine asked.
Anthony had been, but he wasn’t sure this was the right setting to discuss such matters. Still, he nodded and said, “The Kingdom of Bohemia wants to rule itself, and the Austrian Empire refuses. It makes a region filled with wonderful people agitated and angry.”
“You speak as if you support their defiance,” Lord Brennar said, frowning.
He shrugged, not wanting to go any more in-depth. Lady Brennar laughed. “Perhaps Lord Webster, if you read more and did less galivanting, you would have a clearer picture.”
The older woman’s words were a jab, one that was said pleasantly but was nonetheless a jab. The table went silent. He glanced at his brother, who was frowning at the lady. He shook his head slightly, not needing his assistance.
“Perhaps you should read more Lady Brennar. Revolutions have occurred worldwide. People do not want to be controlled by the heads of empires who are seated in faraway lands,” Harriet said, quietly but stubbornly.
Lady Brennar scowled at her. Lillian was immediately on her feet. “Enough of that talk. Politics is never fun, especially on Christmas Eve. Everyone, please join us in the drawing room.”
Philip rose as well, signaling dinner was over. Anthony made his way over to Harriet, smiling. “I can handle Lady Brennar.”
“She acts like you are a dimwitted vice-loving man.”
A bark of laughter escaped him. Anthony realized she was angry on his behalf. He liked it. Leaning in, he said, “May I visit you later tonight?”
Her eyes widened. “In my bedchamber?”
It was reckless, but he nodded. Harriet stared back at him, shocked, but eventually gave the tiniest of nods. Anthony walked away, certain he’d lost his mind. Still, not an ounce of regret or hesitancy existed in him about going to her tonight.
***
Harriet nervously paced back and forth. Her bedchamber was located right next door to the one her mother was staying in. What if she decided to knock on her door, and Anthony was here? It was well past midnight and unlikely. Still, she was a jumble of nerves.
A quiet knock on the door had her spinning around. The door handle pressed down, and Anthony slid in. He was dressed like the night she’d seen him in the library, in only a shirt, pants, and shoes. Tonight, his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and his shirt was unbuttoned at the collar.
Harriet was tempted to go to him, wanting to feel his strong arms wrapped around her. She didn’t, but the desire to do so thrummed through her. He smiled at her, and a million memories of laughing, arguing, and challenging Anthony during their childhood flashed in her mind.
How had she not seen him this way until now? He sat in one of two wingback chairs in front of the fireplace and beckoned her over with a wave of his hand. She flushed as her stomach dipped. Harriet took the seat across from him. “Why did you want to see me alone?”
He leaned forward, studying her intently. “Why won’t you allow me to court you?”
“You tried to wed Lillian,” she blurted out. Harriet had mentioned this before, and perhaps it shouldn’t matter, but it did.
He didn’t scowl or sigh at the reason she was hesitant, but nodded. “My feelings for Lillian were superficial. Well, Itake that partially back. My romantic feelings for her were superficial.”
“How do you know this isn’t the same?”
He smirked and shook his head. “What I feel for you is all-consuming. I want you, Harriet.”
“How can I trust your words?” she whispered.
Anthony ran a hand through his hair but didn’t get angry. He was quiet for a moment but eventually said, “I see us traveling together, having children, and holding each other. I’ve never seen that with anyone, especially Lillian.”
“Those are practical reasons.”
