‘Yes.’ Her mouth fell open. ‘You know?’
‘I’ve suspected for a while. My grandmother never leaves Rutland unless she has to. I knew as soon as she said she was coming to Bath that it must be serious.’
‘She says he hasn’t even told her.’
‘He probably knows that he doesn’t have to.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘So am I. He’s been more of a father to me than my real father ever was.’ He lifted an eyebrow. ‘But why did that stop us eloping to Scotland?’
‘Because I promised your grandmother that I wouldn’t tell you and I couldn’t marry you while I was keeping secrets, especially when you said you valued my honesty.’
‘So it wasn’t because you’d changed your mind?’
‘No.’ She shook her head, threading her arms around his neck and teasing her fingers through his hair. ‘It was only when I saw you drinking that I panicked. I thought...’
Her voice trailed away and he gave a wry smile. ‘You thought that I was turning into my father?’
‘At the time, yes, but your grandmother made me see I was just looking for an excuse to run away. Then she asked if I was brave enough to leave my old life behind like my mother did.’
He felt as if his heart had just stopped. ‘And what did you say?’
‘That I’d never abandon you again.’
‘Anna...’ He folded her into his arms, crushing his lips against hers and kissing her with several days’ worth of relief.
‘But we have to hurry.’ She pulled away after a few moments, looking at his bruise anxiously. ‘How are you feeling now?’
‘Absolutely fine now that I’m here with you.’
‘Good. Then we need to get ready.’
‘For what?’
‘Our wedding.’ She paused. ‘If you still want to marry me, that is?’
‘If I still...?’ He caught her about the waist, pulling her back towards him again. ‘Anna, I love you. Of course I still want to marry you. I’ve spent the whole journey here worrying that you might be Mrs Etton already.’
‘I could never have gone through with that. Not when I was in love with you.’ She hung her head apologetically and then smiled. ‘Now your grandmother’s arranged everything at short notice. I don’t think anyone dared to refuse her. A common licence, a supper afterwards...’
‘Please tell me she hasn’t invited guests, too.’
‘None except me.’ Henrietta poked her head into the shop again. ‘Can I give you my wedding present now?’
‘Another one?’ Anna laughed. ‘I thought the house in the window was our wedding present?’
‘Oh, that was just for fun. This is your real present...’ Henrietta walked towards them holding a plate piled high with diamond-shaped biscuits. ‘They’re a different shape and flavour to Belles so I thought they should have a different name. Maybe Countess biscuits, if you don’t object?’
‘I think that’s the best wedding present anyone could wish for.’ Samuel reached for a sample. ‘Except...what about Contessa biscuits? That’s Italian for countess, isn’t it?’
‘Perfect.’ Anna clapped her hands together. ‘I think my father would have approved of that, too.’
‘They’re savoury.’ He took a bite and nodded appreciatively. ‘With salt?’
‘Just a hint. I thought it was fitting.’
‘They’re delicious.’ Samuel popped the entire rest of the biscuit into his mouth. ‘Can I have another? I’ve been riding for hours.’