Glimpses of Love

Chapter Six

"Miss Keighley," when Henry was looking for Noah, he found him with Anna. This was her first season. Henry couldn't help but sneak a peek at her. Her hair, the color of honey mousse, was pulled back in a bun. Curls falling from her forehead to her cheekbones. Peachy cheeks... And that mole on her cheek, right next to her ear. How well they all fit together. He cleared his throat as his eyes met her mossy gaze.

"My lord." Her timid gaze traveled over his face. His red hair was an heirloom from his late mother. There were pale freckles on his nose. When he smiled, dimples appeared in a straight line next to his lips. Anna looked into his eyes, the place she most avoided looking. She didn't know how to describe this color. His eyes did not have such bright and varied colors. But there were many colors in the young man's eyes. Anna noticed that the green was more intense. His eyes were looking at her under his shaped, red eyebrows. She barely suppressed a sigh.

"Are you enjoying the ball?"

Anna nodded. "Of course, are you?"

Henry put his hand on Noah's shoulder. "I am trying, even though Noah dragged me."

They all laughed together. They listened as Noah began to preach about marriage and choosing a wife. Henry looked at Anna with furtive eyes. From time to time, when their gazes met, she would smile at him and then go back to listening to Noah.

Henry wanted to ask her to dance. He just wasn't sure what that would mean. He took a deep breath. He didn't need to think about it. It was obvious why he was here, to keep Noah company.

The waltz was about to begin. Anna and he locked eyes. He wanted to say something but something was holding him back.

"My lady,"

Henry's gaze shifted to Noah's hand reaching for Anna. His gaze dropped. His jaw twitched.

"Would you like to dance?"

Anna nodded her head up and down and smiled. As they walked to the center of the ballroom, Anna and Henry locked eyes. The young man smiled bitterly at her. She pulled her gaze away from him. He watched him dance with Noah. A woman like her deserved to be with a man who wasn't afraid of love. A man like Noah.

Henry left the ball early that night. And he never again entertained the idea of asking Anna Keighley to dance.

Henry lifted his head from her shoulder. He took a few steps back, avoiding eye contact. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. That's what he told himself. "I have to go."

Anna tried to reach for him, but she couldn't. Henry stormed to the garden gate and ran out. She stared after him, bewildered, her hand in the air. When a cool breeze blew, she came to her senses and decided to return home. As she lay on her bed, replayed the events over and over in her mind. Henry had clearly had a bad day. The last time she had seen him like this, his mother had passed away. Although he hadn't shown Anna, she had secretly witnessed him crying. But what was happening now was very different. Henry had come to Anna of his own accord and she didn't know what to think about it. Her scalp hurt. She sat up in bed with a sigh. Something was squeezing inside her, as if her legs and arms were being pulled. Her eyes began to ache. She lay down on her bed again. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. After hours of writhing in bed, Anna fell asleep. First thing in the morning she would visit the Acklams.

***

"Lord Henry is not at home, my lady."

Anna exhaled in distress. "The others, are they here?"