"But I must say I'm pleased that you appear no worse for the wear. My sister here was sure your heart would be shattered into a thousand fragmented pieces." He winked at Anna. After all, just because his heart was all tied up in knots didn't mean he had to act that way.
Rather, it demanded that he act utterly natural. Which, upon further reflection, was probably exactly why Essie had never noticed him.
He had never changed.
He had treated both Essie and his sister the same since he could remember.
Essie sighed. "I was quite hurt at first, but upon further reflection, I discovered something." She leaned forward slightly, a wide grin bending her lips, drawing his attention. Unable to help himself he allowed himself the freedom to gaze upon her freely, soaking up the beautiful expression and committing it to memory.
"I'm on pins and needles," he replied teasingly, hoping his light tone counteracted his expression.
"Who wouldn't be?" She teased back. "I discovered that my pride was hurt more than my heart. And that was a wonderful breakthrough. Because I'd much rather have my pride wounded. Don't you agree?"
"Utterly. And if I might be frank?" He asked, raising his eyebrows as he posed the question.
"Always." She shrugged.
"He wasn't worth even one tear. If he cannot see your merit he doesn't deserve it." He nodded once and stood, needing to distance himself before he gave away too much.
"Cross, what a kind thing to say," Essie replied, her tone soft and thoughtful.
He turned to face her.
"Simply the truth."
"And to think, you were about to leave before Essie even arrived! See! I told you that your presence was needed!" Anna cut in, a grin splitting her face.
"You were heading out? But Cross, I need you here! I have a plan and it absolutely will not work if you leave!" Essie stood and walked towards him.
"There are two phrases that women used which tended to provoke absolute trepidation and suspicion in the male heart." He narrowed his eyes as Essie made her way towards him.
"Dramatic," Anna called out.
"Honest!" He replied, glancing around Essie and narrowing his eyes at his sister.
"And just what are those two phrases, pray tell?" Essie asked, twisting her lips wryly.
He cleared his throat. "'I have plans for you' and 'can we talk'." He nodded emphatically.
"Very well." Essie grinned mischievously. "Would you be so inclined to participate in a series of events that I'm sincerely hoping you'll agree to partake?"
"That was impressive," Anna said.
Essie turned slightly so that she could see Anna. "I must admit I was quite thrilled with myself."
"If we're all done congratulating Essie on her fantastic use of the English language to manipulate those around her…." He glared at her teasingly.
"Admit it, I was brilliant."
"You are brilliant," he replied easily.
"Oh!" Essie appeared surprised.
"I never once said it wasn't brilliant, I simply said it was manipulative." He rocked on his heels and gave her a grin.
"I wasn't… Oh, very well… I was… but will you do it?" Essie asked, almost bouncing on her toes.
"Do what? You haven't exactly told me the plan, though I truly do hate to ask." He ran his fingers through his hair.
"It's easy. I need you to court me."
He almost swallowed his tongue. "Pardon?"
Essie rolled her eyes. "It's quite easy and will be painless, I promise. Once I lay out the particulars, you'll see that my plan is fool proof."
"Minus the fool." Anna pointed to him.
"Thank you, sister dear," Cross replied, glaring at his sister while he tried to wrap his mind around what Essie just proposed.
"If your brother was a fool, I wouldn't have dreamed of asking him to do this!" Essie turned to Anna, hands on hips.
As if acting of their own accord, his gaze dropped to her waist. What would it be like to place his hands at her waist and allow them the pleasure of tracing her perfect shape?
He had to distract himself, now.
Before his train of thought became… apparent.
Essie turned. "Please?"
He was too lost in his own thoughts, and his gaze, which had been resting on her hips, slowly traveled up her form till it met her eyes. He knew his gaze wasn't shuttered and if she were to look closely, she'd see desire burning within.
She blinked, as if questioning what she saw.
He quickly glanced away and took a deep breath. Turning to her once more, she was the one to glance away! And was that a faint tinge of rose coloring her cheeks?
"What is the plan?" He asked, his tone not quite as controlled as he'd like.
Her gaze shifted to his and any blush that may have been present disappeared as her face lit up.
"I have to get myself engaged." She began to pace, gesturing with her hands in an animated way. "And with only six weeks till the end of the season, I need to be quick about it. After all, what do men want?" She spun to face him.
"Is this a rhetorical question?" He asked, dubious.
"No. I'm asking you."
"Men want…." He could think of several things, but most of them couldn't be spoken of in front of a lady.
"What they can't have!" Anna shouted and stood, startling Cross.
"Good heavens, Anna!" He scolded.
"Yes!" Essie pointed to Anna.