Twin Willows: A Novel by Kay Cornelius Page B

left the room.
    “Her father will be glad to see what a fine young woman Anna has turned out to be,” Stuart said, loudly enough for Anna to hear.
    She also heard Miss Martin’s reply. “Nonetheless, she’ll always be a half-breed.”
    Stuart doesn’t think of me that way
, Anna told herself, but her face still burned when she reached her attic room.
    Felicia immediately peppered her with questions. “What did Mr. Martin want? Did you notice the way he looked at you? Did you see Rose Smythe? She was positively green with envy.”
    Anna shrugged as if the encounter was of no consequence. “Someone Mr. Martin knows saw my father not long ago and said he looked fit. He just passed on that news.”
    “Well, don’t tell Rose that. Let her think the worst—it would serve her right.”
    That night Anna made her usual preparations for bed, although it would be next to impossible to sleep, knowing Stuart shared the same roof.
He is in the parlor
, she thought.
If I can just get past the creaking floorboards in front of Miss Martin’s room, I can see him, at least for a little while
.
    Anna made herself stay in bed long after Felicia’s even breathing told her that her friend was asleep. Finally she got out of bed and put a robe on over her long nightdress. Hardly the proper attire to pay a visit to a gentleman, but she didn’t want to risk making any noise that would awaken Felicia. Anyway, Anna told herself, except for her feet, her body was more completely covered than if she had on her daytime attire.
    Carefully she crept down the stairs, stepping around the spots likely to squeak. When she reached the second floor, the loud snores coming from their respective rooms told her that Miss Martin and Mr. Fogelman did not hear her. Anna’s heart hammered as she groped her way down the dark staircase to the first floor.
    Following the faint light that shone from the parlor, she found Stuart, still fully dressed and sitting at a small table, writing by the light of a lone candle. His eyes widened when he looked up and saw her.
    “Don’t worry, I’m not a ghost,” Anna whispered.
    Hastily Stuart stood and came to her, holding out a piece of paper. “I was just going to ask Cook Nancy to give you this.”
    Anna read the words aloud. “‘Join me in the parlor. S. M.’ Now you won’t have to bother her.”
    “I’m glad. I feared Cook’s heavy step might awaken my aunt. I presume you did not?”
    “No. She was snoring.” Anna drew her robe about her, suddenly embarrassed that, while Stuart was fully clothed, she was not.
    “Are you cold?” he asked. “I have a blanket.”
    Anna shook her head. “I’m fine. I can’t believe Miss Martin would make you sleep on the floor.”
    “I don’t mind.” Stuart took another step forward, and Anna raised her face and waited, instinctively knowing he would kiss her.
    “Oh, Anna,” he exclaimed, placing his hands on her shoulders. “I’ve missed you so much these past months.”
    “I’ve missed you, as well.” She stepped into his embrace, and wordlessly they dung together for a long moment before he put his lips on hers. His kiss was even more wonderful than she remembered, and she responded with all her pent-up longing. She felt herself leaning toward him, almost melting into his body, until he unwound her arms from around his neck and helped her down beside him on the blanket. Loosely embracing, they lay facing one another, attempting to regain their breath.
    “I have never known anyone like you, Anna Willow.” Tenderly Stuart’s hand traced her straight forehead and outlined her straight nose and full lips before he once more bent his face to hers.
    Her head fell back as his tongue gently parted her lips. The hand that had outlined her face now stroked her neck and shoulders and paused to probe the pulse in her throat before moving down to the curve of her breasts.
    No one had ever touched her there before, and she started in surprise.
    He pulled back and