From the corner of my eye, I watched as Anthony and Simon entered the foyer from the ballroom. Both had puzzled expressions on their faces upon seeing me in my top coat and hat. Anthony opened his mouth to speak when the wooden staircase creaked from the second floor and Rebecca descended in her lovely red velvet cloak.
She stopped hastily. All eyes on her, well the only eyes that mattered: Anthony's, Simon's, and mine. Her gaze flickered between the three of us. Her cheeks blushed and she averted her eyes. I didn't want her to be embarrassed. I never wanted her to be embarrassed of me and honestly, it killed my soul that I couldn't be what she wanted — what every young lady craved in a husband.
I cleared my throat and addressed my friends — and I use that term loosely now. "Miss Rebecca and I will be out on the veranda. It is such a lovely night."
"It is a crisp night. Perhaps it is wise not to go outside. We don't want Rebecca to get a chill," Anthony said, challenging me. He had a look in his eyes I had never seen directed at me before. Yes, I'd seen it at school when one of the lower classmen dared speak to him, but never to me… I was his friend. His. Friend. I thought that meant something.
You should know that I do not give away my friendship or my trust easily. I have only given my trust to one person in this life and that was Anthony Wexley. I shall regret that decision every day of my life.
I was ready to counter when Rebecca beat me to it. I was as surprised by her answer as my companions appeared to be. "Cousin, it is alright. We won't be out long and I do wish for some fresh air. You know how I feel being cooped up in the house for hours on end."
"But the chill," Anthony said again. His voice held a noticeable trace of desperation. I heard it. I hoped Rebecca did not.
Anthony didn't want me alone with her. It is understandable, I suppose, his position, but I cared not for how it made him feel. I still don't.
"It will be alright." She spoke again. This time with much more force and determination.
She reached the bottom step and I offered my arm, which she took. "Yes, my friends." I made sure to emphasize the word friend so they knew I was on to them. "We will only be on the veranda and only for a short while. Besides, why must you worry? I will take complete care of Miss Rebecca."
As we walked past Anthony, I couldn't help but wink in his direction. This didn't please him, but it made me feel better. I'd won this round and by Miss Rebecca's insistence.
I felt lighter than I had in ages as we passed a few other people who didn't even look our way as we walked out onto the veranda. The chill did hurt my bones, but I refused to show the effects of the cold for I didn't want Anthony to get the satisfaction of being correct. A light layer of snow covered the stone surface, and more snow fell from the heavens. Rebecca placed her hood over her head, protecting those delicate features from the coldness of December.
When I could not stand being apart any longer than necessary, I took her hand in mine and turned her to look into my eyes. "Will you walk with me?"
She blinked a few times to let the words sink in. "But I thought... were we not staying on the veranda?
I smiled as innocently as I could. Did I really think Anthony and Simon wouldn't spy on us? No. Of course they would. That was why I paid Lord Culpepper to intercept them and ask all manner of boring questions to keep them occupied and always from the windows — away from me and Rebecca. "I would love a stroll, if you don't mind? The movement might keep the chill away." It wouldn't, more than likely, but I had nothing to lose. It was now or never.
I do not know if she fell for my ruse because she said not a word about it, but she did nod and allow me to escort her down the stairs and toward the path to the garden. I had the foresight to grab a lamp to guide our way, hoping that her cousin wouldn't see it and find us.
I only needed a little bit of time. Just a little bit to tell her the truth. I knew without a doubt in the world that she loved me as much as I loved her — or at the very least thought fondly enough of me to want to get to know me better.
The snow eased to barely a flurry as we reached the gardens. The interesting thing about Anthony's garden was that it was constructed in the form of a maze. I hadn't known that until we reached the high hedge about it and Rebecca informed me.
"Are you ready for an adventure?" I asked, hope filling my young voice.
"I believe I am." The lantern reflected in her eyes, making them even more magical to me.