A Chance to Kiss the Marquess (Charmed By Chance #3)

Chapter 12

12

A nn eyed each of her friends in the silence that followed her story.

“Throwing his hat? What does that even mean?” Meg looked concerned.

Jane was wide-eyed but kept quiet.

Felicity was the first to break the silence. “It’s a boxing term.”

They all turned to her and Felicity held her fists up. “You know, pugilists? They spar in a ring?” At their blank stares, she smiled. “I’ve always wanted to go to a match.”

“Your chaperone would faint if she heard you say that,” Jane said.

They all laughed. It was true. Poor old Mrs. Bishop was forever fretting over Felicity’s odd interests and spirited demeanor.

Felicity shrugged. “What she does not know can not harm her.”

Jane giggled. “You’re incorrigible.”

“But who is he f-fighting?” Ann asked.

They all turned to her, but it was Meg who said, “Why, Albright, of course.”

Ann had finished telling her friends all of it. Every horrible, shocking, wonderful detail.

“Yes, he must mean Albright,” Jane confirmed.

Ann pursed her lips and considered this just as Franny swept into the room. Her sister’s arrival was met with excitement. All of Ann’s friends adored Franny and none had seen her since her wedding.

The distraction was much appreciated by Ann as it gave her a moment to think. She was glad she’d finally told her friends all the sordid details. She’d never had the chance after her encounter with the Marquess at the garden party, and she’d been able to think of little else.

She could not quite rid herself of this feeling that this was all a mistake.

At best, a misguided act of pity. At worst, a cruel joke.

She frowned. He kept talking about her bravery. But she wasn’t brave. She just wanted to fit in. To survive. Surely that wasn’t courageous, merely an act of self-preservation.

But she could not deny that the way he’d looked at her, the way his words affected her…

She swallowed hard. She’d never dreamt of romantic love and certainly hadn’t expected it. Because love—no, she couldn’t even call it that.

Though… he had.

It turns out that love has made me talkative enough for both of us.

She drew in a sharp breath, unable to quell the alarming jolt in her chest whenever she remembered that moment. She still couldn’t quite believe he’d actually said it. Just like that. He’d said it so casually, like he was commenting on the weather and not completely upending her entire world.

The Marquess of Kalvin loved her.

Lord Kalvin loved her.

She bit her lip, still trying to reconcile herself to this fact.

Kal loved her.

Her heart thudded loudly and a smile tugged at her lips. But she shook her head quickly. This sort of love was fickle, was it not? It made her uneasy to think of placing one’s hopes for the future on something so changeable as attraction and desire.

Her sister had been lucky. A practical match had developed into friendship and then love. And…wasn’t that how it ought to be? Wasn’t that what Ann had always hoped for?

Of course, that wasn’t at all how it happened for Meg, or Jane for that matter. And they were both extraordinarily happy with their choices.

Her fingers reached into the pocket of her gown out of habit. These were precisely the sort of spiraling thoughts she jotted down. But atop the small notebook she felt the crinkle of parchment.

The note he’d sent her off with in turn at the end of the garden party. He’d slipped it into her hand as they were saying their stiff farewells, surrounded by her parents and his aunt. It was a simple note with merely a list of questions. The questions ranged from the mundane—her preference for outdoor activities—to more open-ended questions regarding her dreams for the future. Until finally she came to the last question. What makes you happy?

He didn’t know her well enough to claim to love her. He hardly knew her at all.

The paper crinkled again at her touch. But he wanted to change that. He wanted to get to know her.

And just like that Ann’s thoughts began to settle, for she knew what she must do. She’d let him get to know her, and once he saw her plainly…

She pressed her lips together and took a deep breath.

He’d come to his senses. Of course he would. He might have been addled by what he’d read in her notebook and perhaps that kiss—she touched her lips as her belly flipped—yes, of course that kiss had muddled the matter.

But once he understood that she was no damsel in need of rescuing, and no project that needed tending, or some hidden gem who’d suddenly transform into the perfect marchioness…

He’d surely have a change of heart.

The thought brought a measure of calm, as well as perhaps a pang of disappointment that she brushed aside.

She decided right then and there that the first moment she was alone she’d respond to Lord Kalvin’s note. She knew he’d meant it as preparation for their next conversation, but he wasn’t the only one with the ability to write. And for Ann there was no plainer way to express herself than in writing.

“Dear, are you all right?” Jane touched her knee and it was only then that Ann realized her friends were all staring at her.

She forced a smile. “Mmhmm.”

No one seemed convinced by this tepid response. Ann turned her attention to Franny. “What brings you by today, Franny? Missing home already?”

Franny laughed. “I came to invite you on an outing with me and Rodrick…” Franny arched a brow. “And Lord Albright.”

Everyone stared at Franny. Then Ann.

Ann could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. Albright hadn’t attended the garden party, and she’d been grateful for the reprieve. Knowing she was to see Lord Kalvin had been nerve wracking enough. But having to face Albright after he’d overheard her saying those silly things…

She pressed her hands to her cheeks. “Do I have to?”

“No,” Franny said quickly.

Jane shook her head, clearly horrified at the prospect on Ann’s behalf.

“Of course not,” Meg added.

Felicity leaned forward, concern in her kind eyes. “Would you like me to have a word with him? Explain on your behalf…”

Ann smiled, her heart swelling with gratitude at the offer, and then deflating as she realized she could not possibly take her friend up on it. “Thank you, but no. This is something I must do on my own.”

And so, the very next day, Ann battled a horrid sense of dread as she waited in the park alongside Franny and Rodrick.

“He should be here any moment now,” Rodrick said. He and Franny had been determinedly keeping the atmosphere lighthearted ever since they’d picked her up.

She really had been blessed with a wonderful brother-in-law.

“It’s not like him to be late.” Rodrick craned his neck as if he might find his young widower friend hiding behind the bushes.

Ann felt her lips twitch despite herself because her mind called up the image of the great, powerful, intimidating Lord Kalvin—waiting in a garden and hiding himself behind ivy.

For her.

Her heart did that irritating kick to her ribs. The dratted organ had become a blasted nuisance. She blamed it on that kiss.

But a kiss—no matter how dizzying—was not enough to decide one’s future. No matter how lovely and warm it had made her feel, she could not bear to see Lord Kalvin’s disappointment when he inevitably realized what a poor choice he’d made for a wife.

Of course, the mere thought of what it meant to be Kal’s bride was enough to make her cheeks warm and her heart race. She nearly missed Rodrick speaking, only catching the last half of his statement. “...he has been rather distracted of late.”

She blinked. “Lord Kalvin?”

Rodrick and Franny gave her a curious look. “Er, no,” Rodrick said slowly. “I was talking about Albright. He’s working on something…some favor for his cousin, I believe.” Rodrick shrugged. “He’s been awfully secretive so I don’t know much more than that. But he’ll be here momentarily, I’m sure of it.”

Ann smiled. She couldn’t say she was eager to see Lord Albright. Though she did wish to get this awkward conversation over with. Though, oddly enough, when he did arrive, she felt more relieved than anxious. Her dread at seeing him disappeared when he gave her that familiar, friendly smile. “It’s good to see you.”

“And you.” She walked beside him and, as if by unspoken agreement, they fell behind several paces as Rodrick and Franny led the way.

The silence that fell wasn’t quite comfortable, but it wasn’t horribly tense either. “Ann, I wanted to say?—”

“W-wait,” she interrupted. “May I go first?”

He nodded, his smile warm and understanding. She gave him an answering smile. This right here…this was why he’d been her choice for a match. She swallowed hard, but then set about explaining how Lord Kalvin had found her notebook and why she’d written the things she had.

With great care she spoke the words she’d planned out. “And so, you see, I enjoy our friendship. And that was why I thought we might…” Here she trailed off. Not because she was tongue-tied but because Albright was nodding eagerly and more words seemed unnecessary.

“Yes, I completely agree. And I think you’re right, Ann.” His smile was so kind, so…easy.

He was so easy to be around. This was why she’d chosen him as her future husband, but right now…

She tried to summon any excitement at his agreement. “You do?”

“Indeed. I must admit, you caught me by surprise, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized what a good partnership this could be.” He gave her a sidelong look, as if gauging her reaction.

She smiled and he seemed to relax even further. “You know about my late wife…”

“Of course.”

“After that, I realized…well, I hope you won’t take this the wrong way, but a friendship is exactly what I’d like if I were to marry again.”

Ann nodded. “Yes, precisely. I’ve always known that I’m not the sort to…to…”

He came to her aid. “I’m sure there are many men who’d wish to court you.”

“But that’s not what I want,” she added quickly.

They seemed to be in a competition to reassure one another because he hastened to add, “But it’s what you deserve. And I assumed you’d wish for that, and?—”

“I don’t.” But as she said it, the words felt odd coming out. Like she was repeating lines she’d memorized, as she was prone to do. But while they came easily to her tongue, she’d lost the feeling behind them. They were just words…and she wasn’t entirely sure if she meant them.

Albright was watching her closely. “You know, Ann, I would consider myself very lucky indeed if you were to consider a partnership with me. Understanding, of course, that friendship and loyalty are all I’m capable of offering.”

She nodded. It wasn’t disappointment making her belly sink. No, not disappointment. But something similar. “I understand. And that’s all I ever wanted.”

This much was true. It was all she’d ever wanted.

But now…? Did she still feel that way now?

She frowned down at the ground, trying to make sense of these new, unwanted sensations.

“I am in no rush, Ann.” Albright’s voice was gentle. “Take your time making your decision.”

She nodded and forced a smile.

This should be an easy choice. He was offering her exactly what she’d wanted from the start. A match based on friendship and understanding. A place to belong and feel safe and…

Not challenged, that much she knew. She could stop fighting, as Kal had put it.

And wasn’t that exactly what she wanted?