An Affair to Remember (30 page)

Warmth spread through Anna and she grinned happily up
at him. “Then I had better get busy. There are a lot of things I want to change.”

“About me?”

“No. About your bedchamber. That bed is far too large for just one person.” She traced her finger across his bottom lip. “And I was thinking…”

“I love the way you think,” he said gruffly. “But not as much as I love you.” Within minutes Anna was wrapped in a cloak and on her way home to Greyley, certain, for the first time in her life, that she was exactly where she wanted to be.

S
ir Phineas took a deep puff of his cigarillo. The rich smoke filled his lungs and sent a peaceful surge all the way to his toes. Stretching mightily, he leaned back in the leather chair and placed his feet on the desk, admiring the shine of his new shoes.

It was peaceful here, despite the hum of the wedding guests who were even now leaving Greyley House, having enjoyed Lord Greyley’s lavish hospitality. Carriages rimmed the long drive as, one after another, the late stayers made their way back to their own homes.

With a happy sigh, Sir Phineas refilled his glass from a decanter of nearby port, silently commending Anthony’s private stock. That was yet another thing he liked about his new grandson-in-law—the man had impeccable taste. “Of course he does,” Phineas murmured, toasting the air. “He married a Thraxton, didn’t he?”

And did it in style, too. Phineas took an appreciative sip of
port. The wedding had been held in a small chapel not ten minutes from the house, only immediate friends and family in attendance. But the reception had been far more elaborate. Anthony had thrown wide the doors to Greyley, and the huge house had been filled with the cream of the
ton
.

He’d been unstinting in the lavish affair, the house festooned with garlands of flowers and yards of pale blue and cream silk. Anna had protested over the amount of money spent, but Anthony had held firm. The reception had been one of the social events of the year.

Sir Phineas understood the earl’s desire for the huge event—he’d faced down the gossipmongers who would whisper “governess” every chance they got, with gilt-edged invitations, cases of the best champagne, and an array of delicate ice sculptures that caused a constant murmur of appreciation. Oh yes, Sir Phineas liked his new grandson-in-law quite well.

Now all was right with the world; the Thraxtons were once again established in the eyes of society and Sir Phineas was exactly where he’d wanted to be—in Greyley’s luxuriously appointed library. Yawning in contentment, he rose to flip his extinguished cigarillo out the window, then returned to his comfortable chair. He propped his feet on the desk, leaned back, and closed his eyes. Time lolled to a stop…

“
Sleeping
?” piped a young voice so close to his ear that he bolted straight upright and almost fell out of the chair.

Selena stood at his elbow. She grinned at him, her white gown sporting a green stain, twigs sticking out of her mussed curls.

His heart slowed to normal and he grinned in return. “Running from Lily, are you?”

She nodded, then leaned closer to whisper. “She tolded me it was bath day. I don’t like bath day.”

“Hm. I suppose you want to hide in here, with me.”

Selena climbed into his lap and snuggled against him. “Thank you.”

“You are incorrigible,” he said, mussing her curls. “Where are the others?”

A sly smile tickled the little girl’s face. “It’s a secret.”

Chuckling, Sir Phineas hugged her to him and lit another cigarillo. He’d just settled back in his chair when the door flew open and Brand St. John stormed into the room. “Where is he?” the young man demanded, his mouth white, something clutched in his hand.

“Where is who?” Sir Phineas asked.

“My brother, that mangy, ill-begotten lump of—” Brand caught Selena’s wide gaze and reddened. “Anthony. I want to speak to Anthony.”

“He’s gone. Left for the honeymoon not ten minutes ago.” Sir Phineas made a perfect smoke ring while Selena giggled.

Brand’s face showed disbelief. “I thought they weren’t leaving until tomorrow!”

“Oh, I sent them off. After all, I’m here to see to things.”

“Yes, but—” Brand stared with a bemused expression at a small glittering circlet that lay in his palm. “What the hell am I supposed to do with
this
?”

Sir Phineas pulled Selena more comfortably into his lap so that he could lean forward to peer at the ring. “Ah, I’ve heard about that thing. Anna told me about it.”

“Did she mention that Anthony ordered Jenkins to hide it in my piece of cake?” Brand asked sourly. “I nearly broke a tooth.”

“I thought I broked a tooth once,” Selena piped up. “Only it was a rock in my peas.”

“It’s not quite the same thing,” Brand grumbled. “What do I do now? Everyone has already left. I’ll have this blasted thing until Michaelmas.”

“If you are fast enough, you might be able to find your brother Chase. I saw him not twenty minutes ago talking to a handsome young widow as she sat in her carriage in the drive. I daresay he’s there still.”

Brightening, Brand spun on his heel and left. Sir Phineas laughed softly. He wasn’t sure he believed that nonsense about the talisman ring any more than the St. Johns themselves. Still…Anthony
had
had it in his possession when he’d won Anna, so perhaps there was a little something to it after all. Sir Phineas blew another smoke ring and watched it drift to the ceiling. Perhaps the dashing Brand St. John was on his way to an adventure of his own.

Sir Phineas decided that he was going to enjoy being a part of the St. John family. It was a perfect place for him, especially since he so loved happy endings. Chuckling softly, Sir Phineas rubbed his chin against Selena’s soft curls, lolled back in the chair once more, and propped his feet back on the wide desk.