Anna scrutinized her dress of choice for the evening with an extremely critical eye. She'd changed twice already before settling on a demure evening dress in lavender which gave her eyes a purple hue. With painstaking care, Grace pinned it at the crown of her head, higher than normal and selectively placed little pearled hairpins through the curls. She did not want to look like a little girl pretending to be an adult anymore. Not when she would be meeting Colin's parents face to face for the first time.

Her father had been slightly reluctant to let her go without a chaperone, but had given in on the basis that Colin's parents would be present. Now, Anna had been reduced to a mass of jumbled nerves that her sister could not assuage with easy banter and joking. Anna was terrified that Lord Hollenbeck and his wife would meet her and find her unworthy of their son. She was not of the peerage, British or French.

"He's here." Grace said upon hearing the sound of their parents talking below with another masculine voice. She quickly dabbed perfume on Anna's neck and wrists. Anna swallowed her fear and gripped Gracie's hand, allowing her older sister to lead her from the bedroom and down the stairs. Their mother gave an approving nod from her position near the bottom of the staircase. Pa smiled wistfully, winking at her, but he was immediately forgotten when she looked toward the tall form of Colin Moreau, immaculately dressed in a fine evening suit. His dark chocolate hair was elegantly combed and parted. Anna felt a pang of longing at the sight of him. The silver irises of his eyes seemed to smolder, meeting hers in the dim evening light of the parlor. It almost made her forget how anxious she was.

"We won't be too late." Colin assured her father, extending his hand for her to take. Anna willingly gripped it, feeling the warmth seep through her glove. Anna quickly kissed both of her parents before following Colin out the door, sharing one last look with Grace, who was standing with her husband and beaming at her.

Anna settled against Colin's side, letting him put his arm around her. She felt the gentle nudge of his nose in her hair, making her smile.

"Happy Birthday." She told him, reaching up to run a gloved finger over his lips. His eyes glittered with mischief as he caught the tip in his teeth, biting lightly before releasing it.

"It is now." He replied. "My mother is practically busting at the seams to meet you." A low chuckle left him, making her skin tingle. "You should know she's probably already naming our children. Sorry."

"Do you really think they'll like me?" Anna asked doubtfully, biting her bottom lip. Colin let out a long sigh, as if she were too much for him to handle and pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger.

"Anna, you never cease to astound me with your lack of self esteem." He told her, laughing. "Sweetheart, you could be a girl I found on the street and they would love you. My parents are exceedingly easy to please."

"But just say—"

"No, Flash." Colin stopped her, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. "I fear I'll have to marry you soon, so you've no doubt in your mind that it's you I want." Drawing her hand into his, he toyed with her fingers, remaining thoughtfully silent for the rest of the drive to the restaurant. He helped her out of the car and urged her hand into the crook of his arm.

Colin's parents were a lovely looking couple. His mother was a very young looking woman with dark hair which was caught elegantly at the nape of her slender neck. Her eyes were shocking blue, reminding Anna of Julienne's eyes. Her husband, Lord Hollenbeck, was fair haired, with warm amber eyes. They did not look old enough to have a son of thirty-one years old. As Colin had promised, Anna was presently pulled into Lady Hollenbeck's arms and kissed on the cheek.

"Oh, bless you, you lovely girl." The woman gushed, pulling back to look over her before giving Colin an approving nod. "You were right. She is enchanting."

"Bianca, let her breathe." Lord Hollenbeck chuckled, taking Anna's hand and bending over it in acknowledgement. "Forgive her, she is just so grateful that our son is finally making progress toward producing grandchildren."

"Oh good Lord," Colin rolled his eyes, "You have two grandsons by your eldest if I may remind you, Mother. And I'm sure Gabrielle won't be far behind."

"Yes, she's finally recovering from losing the baby last year." Bianca agreed, pulling Anna gently along with her as they were shown to their table. "Do tell us about yourself. We were friends of your parents', you know. Of course, the distance has kept us all apart, but I always adored Meg. How is she?" Surprised, Anna blinked and tried to think.

"She is well. My parents are happy since my older brother was finally brought up to scratch and is now expecting his first child." She met Colin's eyes quickly, before looking back into the bluest eyes of Lady Hollenbeck.

"Yes, of course!" The lady agreed, fondly. "With our Jules…my sister swears she looks just like I did at her age."

"She's right." Lord Hollenbeck agreed, sipping the wine that was placed in front of him. "Julienne is very similar to you in looks."

"Lambourne genes have always been dominant." She explained to Anna, looking almost apologetic. Colin smothered a groan, drinking his own wine and giving his father a look of pleading.

"How old are you, Anna?" Lord Hollenbeck asked, steering the conversation in a forward direction.

"I will be twenty-one in October." She answered, wringing her hands beneath the table. Something covered her hand and she realized that Colin had stilled her by placing his hand over hers. His eyes were kind.

"And what do you like to do with your time?" Colin's father went on.

"Reading, of course." Anna told him easily, seeing his mother perk up once again. "I'm partial to Shakespeare."

"Oh, Ansel, Shakespeare." Lady Hollenbeck cried, looking absolutely tickled. Meeting Anna's eyes, she explained, "It's what brought my husband and I together. Sonnets."

"Well, that and Romeo and Juliet." Lord Hollenbeck added, grinning. "Not from the stars do I, my judgment pluck—"

"Oh bloody hell, here we go." Colin muttered, shaking his head. Anna thought he was suppressing a smile though.

"And yet, methinks I have astronomy." Lady Hollenbeck sighed, gazing at her husband. Anna prayed that one day, her husband would look at her that way still.

"Number fourteen?" Anna inserted, a shy smile playing at her lips. "Also a favorite of mine. My favorite part is, 'But from thine eyes my knowledge I derive, and constant stars in them, I read such art."

"Oh, marry her tomorrow, Colin." His mother implored, giving Anna a wonderful smile.

"Well done, Flash." Colin chuckled, giving her a sideways glance and making her blush. They were briefly distracted as their order was taken.

"I would like to make a toast." Lord Hollenbeck said, raising his glass. "To our son, Colin Alexandre Moreau. Thirty-one years of age today…four years ago, I was worried for you. But you've flourished. And you've found this wonderful young lady."

"And you deserve it more than anyone." His wife agreed, reaching for her son's hand. "You're so hardworking and loyal. I always thought you deserved better—"

"Mum, no." Colin interjected tersely. "But the sentiment is appreciated." Anna watched his face tense, and his eyes lower into his drink for a moment. She noticed a muscle ticking in his jaw. His hand, still on hers tightened. She squeezed back, swallowing the bit of apprehension she felt at what was not being said. He took another drink of his wine, before setting it aside and smiling down at Anna, instantly smoothing over her fears.

"Well, as long as we're on the subject of toasts." Colin grinned, "There's something I'd like to discuss with all of you." Lady Hollenbeck gasped and Anna stared at Colin in confusion. He began to reach into the inside pocket of his coat, and Anna had to swallow a gasp.

It was going to happen tonight!

"Anna, you have soared into my life bringing light into the dark loneliness that I've felt for so long, and I—" Colin stopped dead, staring straight ahead as if he'd seen a ghost.

"Go on, Dear!" Lady Hollenbeck urged, while her husband turned to see whom his son was staring at and darkened considerably.

"Oh, no." He said, as a lovely, voluptuous, dark haired woman with dark eyes approached the table, smiling sweetly.

"Colin Moreau, I haven't seen you in ages!" The beautiful woman gushed, thrusting her diamond encrusted hand at him. Colin blanched, politely taking it.

"Mrs. Dashiell." He replied acidly, nodding at her. She awarded him with a brilliant white smile. Anna's heart sank. Mrs. Dashiell was probably one of the loveliest women she had ever laid eyes on and she was looking at Colin as if she wanted to devour him.

"My Lord, my Lady." Mrs. Dashiell inclined her head toward Colin's parents, who both gave her obligatory smiles.

"Well, Libby. You certainly seem to be doing well for yourself." Lady Hollenbeck said, sounding entirely phony.

"Oh we are!" Mrs. Dashiell agreed, giving Colin another sunny smile. "Dane is already learning to read and he's not even four." The sugary sweetness of the woman's voice set Anna's teeth on edge. "Of course, Alain has just received a promotion and we're looking to buy a vacation home in Orleans."

"How convenient." Colin told her tartly, gesturing to Anna. "Elizabeth Dashiell, I should like to introduce Anna Reynolds."

"Not Simon's sister?" She asked, tilting her head and giving Anna an assessing look. Anna swallowed, rendered dumbstruck. She pulled her hand out of Colin's and moved as far away from him as she could manage in the tight space.

"The very same." Anna told her through gritted teeth. She disliked this beautiful, sensual woman with perfect teeth and sparkling sable eyes. Her perfectly formed breasts were thrust upward and put on display like two trophies.

"Oh, Simon and I were very good friends." Mrs. Dashiell informed her, the silken tone of her voice full of innuendo making Anna sick to her stomach. She'd known that her brother used to cavort with women, she'd just never known that he'd also dallied with married women. Especially this one.

"How…nice." Anna managed to spit.

"Yes, I heard of his marriage. Please give him my congratulations."

Not if you paid me. Anna thought, forcing herself to smile at the woman.

"I will."

"Well, I must get going." Mrs. Dashiell sighed, meeting Colin's eyes seductively. "We really must catch up sometime." Colin grunted in response while his parents continued to watch her as she sauntered away, hips swaying in the dark velvet of her dress.

"The nerve of her!" Lady Hollenbeck scoffed, clicking her tongue and looking at Anna. "How could she even think of approaching you in public?"

"Let it go, Mother." Colin ground out, looking at Anna in concern. Her appetite had gone and she felt like she may heave up anything she attempted to eat. "Pay her no mind, Anna." He said, brushing her cheek with the back of his hand. "She's nothing but a vulgar tart."

"That's not proper dinner talk!" Lady Hollenbeck scolded, though she looked as if she quite agreed.

"Please, do go on with what you were saying." His father prodded, gesturing for Colin to return to his toast, but he shook his head.

"Perhaps another time." He said, seeing Anna's distress. "The moment has gone. Let's just enjoy the rest of our meal."

Colin wanted to destroy something when he returned to his hotel room that evening. He ripped the liquor cupboard open and poured himself a glass of brandy, savoring the sweet liquid that did nothing to calm him. Anna had been shaken after Libby's unkind interruption of their dinner. After everything she had done to him, Colin could scarcely believe her audacity. Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved the folded paper she had discreetly slipped him before she'd gone.

Colin-

We really must catch up, please do not hesitate to come and visit me. I would love to chat with you.

Libby

Her address was scrawled neatly at the bottom. To the untrained eye, it was a harmless note, but to Colin, who knew the inner workings of Elizabeth Dashiell's – formerly Dawlish – mind all to well, he knew what she was implicating by giving it to him, detestable light skirt that she was. It was literally an insult for her to stand in Anna's presence.

Fumbling through his discarded coat, he withdrew the velvet box and flipped it open to stare at the shining emerald set in the middle of small diamonds and clutched it in his hand while the other held his drink. Damned if he was going to wait any longer. Happy Bloody Birthday, Colin...

Saturday couldn't arrive fast enough.

Yep...like I said, it's ugly.