Page 90 of The Language of Love

Something about his confident, lordly behavior suddenly irked her. “What if it is not acceptable?”

“Then you must tell me what you prefer, and it shall be done,” he answered mildly.

Annis ground her teeth. Oh, he knew how to take any satisfaction from defiance!

“Fine. I will accompany you.”

“You seem perturbed by the notion. Is it so unusual?”

“I believe it is.”

“Well, I am unusual,” he said, as if she didn’t already know that. “Surely it cannot be too scandalous if your maid accompanies us.”

“I don’t have a maid.”

Annis could see by his pinched nostrils he did not like that information one bit. “I shall ask Lady Sedgwick to come along—I’ve engaged her services right up to the wedding, after all.”

“That would be lovely,” Annis said, pleased to think of being with her friend while Freddie was earning money for it.

“I will engage a maidservant for you, as well,” he said.

“That is probably unusual, too. Most men do not engage servants for their betrothed.”

“Do you care?” He sounded genuinely curious.

Did she care if he bought her clothing and engaged a servant for her before they were married? For some reason, it seemed naughty, like something a man would do with his mistress.

It would mortify and infuriate her aunt.

Annis smiled at the thought. “I would be grateful for your offer with my clothing. As to your offer of a maid, Grace, one of my uncle’s chambermaids, is hoping to find work as lady’s maid. She has occasionally waited on my cousins and has done an admirable job. I will ask her if she is interested.”

He nodded. “So, to sum up our battle plan, we shall marry eight days hence. Until that time, we will attend whatever ton functions Lady Sedgwick stipulates. After our wedding we shall stay one night at the Clarendon—Rotherhithe House is hardly habitable—and shall depart for Stoke the following day. Do you have questions or requests before we meet again tomorrow?”

A hundred questions bounced around in her skull, but none of them made their way into words. “No, there is nothing I can think of.”

Henry reached into his impeccably cut coat and drew out a slender envelope. “This document entitles the bearer to draw the amount you requested from my bank.” He handed it to her.

“Thank you.” Annis took the letter, breathless at the ease with which he had just saved her grandmother’s future. Her face burned with shame as she stared down at the money he’d given without question.

Thankfully, the door opened, and a servant entered, bearing a tray. Behind the maid was a Ford with her needlework.

Henry stood.

“You are not staying for tea?”

“I have an appointment I cannot miss.” He took her hand and bowed over it. “I will come for you at noon tomorrow.”

He smiled down at her, but, unlike in the past, the expression never reached his eyes.

***

Henry didn’t have to sit outside Thomas Bowman’s house for long before Annis emerged—without a maid or a footman, of course—walking briskly.

“She’s the one I should follow, guv?” the hackney driver asked.

“Yes. Do try to be inconspicuous.”

The driver laughed. “For what you’re payin’ me, I can be bleedin’ invisible.