Despite his wealth and status in society, Ernest Sinclaire had little interest in the necessary social engagements that came along with it. He held parties at his estate at Ledford Park during the London Season out of a sense of duty to carry on family tradition, but he found them dreadful to host. They season was all about men flaunting their titles and assets to young women waiting to be sold off to the highest suitable bidder. He had more pressing matters to attend to than courting women who he was supposed to be interested in solely due to family name and how well they were trained in social graces. Plenty of women looked his way, but none ever stood out enough to catch his attention. Not until very recently at least.
Mr. Sinclaire had been invited to a garden party at the estate of the Earl of Edgewater. He would say he accepted the invitation to be polite, because the Earl had helped his family and been a mentor to Mr. Sinclaire, but that would only be half the truth. He was hardly able to admit it, even to himself, but he found himself inexplicably drawn to the Earl’s daughter, Lady Anna Mills. He thought her looks more handsome than most, but that wasn’t it. She wasn’t like the other women vying for his attention. She was surprisingly forward, more interested in learning who he was beneath the surface than discussing the latest gossip and saying what she thought he wanted to hear. He found her both frustrating and intriguing. Obviously being raised poor in her small village made her different than most of the women he was used to, but she was intelligent, quick-witted, and carried herself well. She was well-mannered but didn’t act a certain way just to impress others. She was genuine and treated everyone the same, regardless of their rank. His upbringing told him he should be put off by a a lady who was so bold, but the truth was quite the opposite. He couldn’t stop thinking about their first meeting, how she challenged him, the undeniable current of electricity he felt when she brushed her hand against his. So although he would deny it to anyone who asked, he was secretly looking forward to the party and the prospect of spending time with Anna.
Ernest arrived at Edgewater and made a point to great the Earl, not only to be polite but also in hopes that it would give him a better chance to spend time with Anna. Shortly thereafter his wish was granted.
“My darling Anna, there are so many guest to meet.” The Earl said as Anna approached. “And this is Mr. Sinclaire of Ledford Park! I believe you two will get along quite well.”
She was just as beautiful as Ernest had remembered. She was wearing a light pink gown with a floral lace overlay, her hair done up as it was before with a jeweled headband that matched the sparkle in her eyes. “My lord, I must correct you. I already had the…pleasure of meeting Lady Anna when she arrived to Edgewater.”
“Well, well…you must forive this old earl. I seem to have fallen behind the times.”
“Mr. Sinclaire,” Anna spoke up, “You look dashing as always I see.”
“Oh, I..” Ernest was caught off guard by Anna being so openly complementary, but he was flattered nonetheless. He could feel a warmth in his cheeks and hoped his blush was not noticeable, but the look on Anna’s face told him otherwise. He cleared his throat to compose himself. “You look rather agreeable yourself…the dress and all suits you.” He didn’t know what had come over him. It wasn’t at all like him to be this affected by a few simple words from a woman, and almost unheard of for him to be this forward in return.
“Agreeable? Suits me? I believe I just witnessed a My. Sinclair compliment. Coming from you that is a rare find, indeed,” Anna said with a cheeky smile across her face.
“Perhaps, my lady, I am not so free with my compliments because I would prefer the words to hold their value. It’s east to give out praises on every whim, but that dilutes their worth.” Ernest took a step towards Anna, neither looking away from the other. Could she feel the heat of his gaze the same as he felt from hers? “However, when I give compliments, you can be certain that I truly mean every word.” Ernest noticed a pleased smile on the Earl’s face as he watched their exchange. It must have been obvious to any outside observer there was something between them.
The subject of the London Season came up and Anna stated she wouldn’t be attending. “You’re not attending the season?” Ernest feared the disappointment he felt was too apparent on his face.
“You sound disappointed, sir.” Yes, Anna had realized. “But alas, no, I won’t be in town. It wouldn’t be proper for someone of my…statusand birthright to attend. Although, I confess I’m not entirely sure what makes the season so special.”
“But there are also a lot of dinners, balls, parties…including at Mr. Sinclaire’s townhouse! His dinners are always a great success.” The Earl interjected.
Mr. Sinclaire frowned. “So I’m told. If only they weren’t such a a torture to host.” His eyes flickered over to Anna to gauge her reaction. His brutal honesty probably wasn’t helping to make her want to attend the season, although he hoped she would.
“If you don’t care for it,why host one at all?” Anna inquired.
“I’m certainly not going to be the Sinclaire to break tradition…even if I’m not keen on social engagements.” Ernest confessed.
“Sir…Perhaps you can use today to practice.” Anna’s tone was formal but her request was not.
“Easy for you to say. It’s apparent you have no qualms about interacting with strangers…” It came out sounding harsher than Ernest intended. He truly was in awe of her ability to converse with anyone, while he found it difficult to open open and speak with anyone he didn’t know well. “Some of us are not so fortunate.”
“Have you considered that it’s because I’ve practiced that I don’t have those same fears? It would do you wonders, sir.”
It was hard to believe someone in her position, new to this side of society was giving him advice. It wasn’t that he didn’t respect her opinion, but she didn’t understand why it was so hard for him. It wasn’t as easy as she was making it out to be as he did not have her same disposition. “My lady, you–”
“Well, it seems I’m unneeded in this conversation. I shall take my leave.” Much to the objection of both Anna and Mr. Sinclaire, the Earl left the two to carry on alone.
After a short pause, Anna spoke to break the tension. “So…attend many garden parties?”
“A few..but only for people I respect.” Ernest hoped Anna would know this meant he wanted to be here, that he didn’t just accept any invitation he was given.
“I see. Then you respect my father?”
Ernest was surprised Anna would have any doubts about this. “That should not even be a question. The Earl of Edgewater has been very generous to my family over the years.”
Anna’s brilliant smile returned. “He is a great man. I’m pleased I am not the only one who sees him that way. Are the festivities to your liking today? Or, let me guess, you find them simply adequate.”
“You presume to know my character so easy, my lady.” He felt he had been polite, for the most part, and thought it would be apparent he was enjoying himself.
“Not at all. I’m simply attempting to figure out the puzzle that is Mr. Sinclaire.”
He too a step closer, his eyes again fixed on hers. “And what have you determined thus far.”
Instead of backing away shyly like most women would, she challenged him. Taking her own step forward with a smirk on her face. “Sir, I cannot allow you to know all my secrets. Where is the fun in that.” Anna glanced down to her fan and back up at him before bringing the fan to her lips.
Mr. Sinclaire raised an eyebrow. “Are you really that desperate for my affection Lady Anna?” Did she really want to kiss him now as desperately as he did her?
“I haven’t the slightest notion of what you mean,” she teased, a playful smile on her lips.
Ernest took another step closer, his mouth now inches from hers. “I don’t buy that for a moment,” he muttered, his voice deep and low. Suddenly, Miss Sutton’s loud cry from the skittles field broke their trance and the moment was gone. “Do you play skittles, Lady Anna?”
Anna did not know how to play, but agreed to play against Mr. Sinclaire. He teased that she would be no match for him, and he admired her attitude to accept the challenge. He thought he would have to go easy on her but he started to worry when it came down to the final round, and then somehow Lady Anna, the novice defeated the seasoned skittles player. She was proving to be his match in more ways than one which almost made him satisfied enough to forget his bruised ego. He would also ignore the fact that she cheated by using her feminine charms, brushing against his arm to fluster him. She had him figured out better in two encounters than others who had known him for years.
After the game the Dowager Countess introduced Duke Tristan Richards of Karlington to Anna. The Duke thought very highly of himself, while Ernest had nothing positive to say about him. He found it hard to contain his anger as Tristan droned on about his own perceived positive attributes.
“In fact, for years they have sung glorious tales of my heroic deeds and handsomeness.” He pulled Anna closer and smiled aggressively at Mr. Sinclaire, as if Anna was some prize, and he was winning.
Mr. Sinclaire’s anger was about to boil over and he couldn’t refrain from speaking up. “What ‘greatness’ do you refer to, Your Grace.” It was painful to regard to him with such a title. “I was under the impression that all those ‘tales’ were merely fiction.” He and Tristan continued to exchange words until Ernest decided to take leave of the situation, excusing himself politely before he said something he couldn’t take back.
Ernest pretended to be engaged elsewhere, but he couldn’t help but keep an eye on Anna and the Duke from across the lawn. He had to stifle a laugh when he saw her yank her hand away from Tristan with a scowl on her face.
A short time later Anna strolled up to Ernest as he watched couples assemble to dance. “Sir, will you not ask me to dance?”
“What makes you think I’m the kind of man who dances?” Normally, he wasn’t, but for her, he’d make an exception. He smirked and then bowed to Anna. “My Lady, will you do me the honor of the first dance?”
“Indeed, I will. So kind of you to ask.” She teased him back. He took her hand and led her to the dance floor, noting with glee the hardened expression on Duke Richard’s face.
Anna danced so gracefully, as if she had been training her whole life. He kept quiet focusing on the music and the moment. Anna pressed him about the lack of conversation, but he truly didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t much for idle conversation and his true feelings were best left unsaid this early on in their acquaintance. When it was time to switch partners, they both found themselves looking at the other, exchanging smiles across the dance floor.
“Since you won’t make an effort for conversation, I will…Do you have a favorite dance, Mr. Sinclaire?” Anna asked once they were reunited.
“One that I don’t have to participate in.” He replied sardonically. He hoped she would recognize and appreciate the fact that he didn’t dance with just anyone.
“But you’re so light on your feet!”
“It’s all thanks to years of practice, but from the looks of it, you’ve had quite a bit as well.” He wasn’t certain if that was true given her upbringing, but he was impressed with her talent regardless.
Anna grinned widely. “I’m glad you noticed. I was fortunate to learn from Miss Parsons earlier.”
The dance soon ended any it was time for them to part. “Thank you Lady Anna, for granting me this dance…I don’t think I’ve seen someone dance so well before.”
“I think my new shoes are to blame.” Anna claimed modestly but Ernest new better. Anna continued to pleasantly surprise him at every turn and he was certain there was no one else like her.