Page 94 of The Language of Love

“Don’t forget your wrap, Miss Annis.” Grace held out yards and yards of delicately spangled netting and draped it with infinite care around Annis’s shoulders.

“There, miss. You look perfect.”

“Thank you, Grace.”

Her legs felt wobbly as she made her way to the library. She’d been with Henry most of the day—he’d already seen her in this dress, for pity’s sake! —and yet she felt like a girl going to her first ball.

“Idiot,” she muttered as entered the library.

“Ah, here you are, my dear.” Her uncle smiled as if he were genuinely pleased to see her.

Henry, who’d been sitting in the chair across from her uncle, stood.

Annis caught her breath. She’d seen him in evening blacks before, of course, but never in any that were so perfectly fitted to his body.

His eyes flickered over her briefly before he met her gaze.

The icy layer of fear that had closed around her two days before melted at the look in his eyes—not cold but pleased.

“You look beautiful.” The compliment was as sensual as a caress.

“His lordship brought something for you, Annis.” Her uncle’s voice shook her out of her pleasurable reverie. “I told him that giving jewelry before you are wed is most irregular.” His pale cheeks darkened. “But then I realized that I—who should have made sure you had at least a decent set of pearls to wear—have left you without—”

“That doesn’t matter, Uncle,” she interrupted, not wanting to watch him flagellate himself—no matter how merited it might be.

Henry gestured to a large velvet case on the corner of her uncle’s desk. “I believe this will go well with your gown.”

She opened the box with shaking fingers and gasped when she saw what lay on the white satin inside. The set comprised a necklace, bracelet, and earbobs. The silver setting was simple, but elegant, and the large blue stones were unlike anything she’d ever seen.

Her uncle came to look. “Goodness. That is quite—”

“Exquisite,” Annis said, turning to Henry. “Thank you.”

“They are sapphires from Ceylon, which are known for the pale blue.” His jaw flexed as he looked from the stones to Annis. “They reminded me of your eyes.”

Annis was having too much difficulty breathing to answer him.

He lifted the necklace from the box and stepped behind her, lowering it around her throat. His large, warm fingers barely touched her as he hooked the lobster clasp.

“Give me your arm,” he ordered quietly.

Annis complied, sneaking a look at his bowed head as he fastened the matching bracelet around her wrist. Once he’d finished, his eyes wandered over her, a slight, possessive smile curving his lips. “Put on the earrings, Annis.”

As if in a trance, she lifted the last of the jewels from the box.

“You are going to the Burton ball tonight?” her uncle asked, clearly determined to be polite.

“Yes.”

Her uncle reddened at Henry’s curt answer. “Her maid should accomp—”

“Lady Sedgwick is awaiting us in my coach.”

“Oh,” Uncle Thomas said, visibly nonplussed. “You should have brought her in.”

Henry’s lips flexed into a brief smile, and Annis knew he was probably remembering Freddie’s words from earlier today: I shall wait for you in his lordship’s carriage, Annis, but I’m afraid I couldn’t bring myself to speak civilly to anyone in that family just now.

Henry held out his arm to Annis. “Are you ready to slay the dragon, Annis?”

Her lips parted, and she gave a soft huff of laughter. “Why, I think you might have bested me with that one, my lord. I have no idea where it came from.”

“Ah.” He gave her the first genuine smile she’d seen on his face all day. And, as she looked up into his eyes, Annis flattered herself that there was at least a little affection in his gaze.