Page 9 of A Lady’s Mishap (The Lockwood Family #5)

9

E lodie was jolted awake by the incessant sound of dogs barking. Groaning, she grabbed a pillow and pressed it over her ears, hoping to muffle the noise. But it was useless. The barking was relentless. Who in the world was letting their dogs create such a racket at this obscene hour?

With a frustrated huff, she threw the pillow aside, slipped out of bed, and made her way to the window. She leaned out and immediately spotted Anthony seated comfortably on a bench in his gardens while two puppies yapped energetically around him.

Raising her voice to be heard over the barking, Elodie called, “Anthony! Can you please quiet those dogs down? I am trying to sleep.”

Anthony glanced down at his pocket watch with a smile. “It is nearly ten o’clock,” he replied. “I am not entirely sure what you expect me to do. I have been up for many hours working on the accounts.”

“Well, unlike you, I prefer to sleep in.”

Anthony chuckled, clearly enjoying her frustration. “I am afraid there is no silencing these two,” he said, gesturing to the puppies at his feet, who were now yapping and chasing each other in circles. “They are a bit too enthusiastic about starting the day.”

“Will you not at least try?”

With an amused glint in his eyes, Anthony turned to the puppies. He pointed a stern finger at them and commanded, “No more barking! I forbid it.”

For a moment, it seemed to work. The puppies paused, their eyes wide and ears perked up, as if they understood him. But then, just as quickly, they erupted into a flurry of excited yips, their tails wagging even faster than before.

“You are making it worse!” she exclaimed, unable to suppress a small laugh despite herself.

Just then, another voice chimed in. “Do you two mind? Delphine and I are trying to get some sleep,” Bennett called out from a nearby window.

Anthony’s grin widened. “It is nearly ten. A perfectly reasonable hour to be awake.”

Elodie leaned out further to get a better look at her brother. “Did the dogs’ barking wake you up?”

“Yes, and now your conversation with Belview is not helping, either,” Bennett said.

Anthony stood from the bench, still smiling. “Perhaps I will take the dogs for a walk to the park. Would you care to join me?”

“I most certainly would not,” Bennett responded.

Anthony’s gaze remained on Elodie. “I was not asking you , Bennett. I was asking Elodie.”

Elodie hesitated, tucking a piece of errant hair behind her ear. “I am hardly dressed for a walk, nor have I had breakfast.”

“It won’t take long, I promise, and I could use the company,” Anthony said.

From his window, Bennett groaned, “For heaven’s sake, Elodie, just go with him so the rest of us can get some peace and quiet.”

“Fine, I will go,” Elodie agreed. “But you will have to wait. I cannot rush the process of beautification.”

Anthony bowed. “Take your time. I will wait for you in front.”

Elodie closed the window before she made her way to the dressing table, grabbing a brush to tame her bed-tousled hair. As she worked, the door opened, and Molly bustled in with a knowing smile.

“It sounds like we are in a hurry this morning,” Molly said, pulling a pale blue gown from the wardrobe.

“How did you know?” Elodie asked, pausing mid-brush.

Molly’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “You are not exactly a quiet talker. The whole townhouse heard you.”

“It was hardly my fault! Those dogs woke me up.”

“That is what puppies do,” Molly said, helping Elodie into the gown. “I have no doubt that Lord Belview will train them in no time.”

“I hope so.”

Once she was dressed, her hair neatly pinned back into a loose chignon, she rushed downstairs. White was waiting in the entry hall.

“Will you inform my mother that I am going on a walk to the park with Lord Belview?” Elodie asked.

“Yes, my lady. Will a maid be accompanying you?” White inquired, just as Molly appeared at Elodie’s side.

“I will be joining Lady Elodie,” Molly said promptly.

“Very good,” White said, opening the main door.

Elodie stepped outside and saw Anthony standing there, holding two leashes. He greeted her with a warm smile. “That was faster than I expected.”

“I do not know if I should be flattered or insulted,” Elodie remarked.

“Flattered, I assure you,” Anthony replied, stepping forward and holding out one of the leashes. “Would you like to walk Lulu?”

“Yes, but first, I have to put his hat on,” Elodie said as she held up the small embroidered blue hat.

Anthony’s brow furrowed. “Dogs do not wear hats.”

Ignoring him, she crouched down and tied the strings of the hat under Lulu’s chin. She stood up and beamed. “Is he not just adorable?”

In response, Lulu shook his head vigorously, sending the hat flying off.

Elodie picked up the discarded hat. “Oh, Lulu, do you not like your hat? I made it just fur you.”

Anthony looked heavenward. “That joke was truly terrible,” he said. “Why, pray tell, did you make a hat for a dog?”

Elodie shrugged, her fingers playing with the hat’s delicate ribbon. “It is far more preferable than embroidering handkerchiefs.”

Handing her Lulu’s leash, Anthony said, “There is a reason why dogs do not wear hats.”

“You are right,” Elodie said, accepting the leash. “I will need to make something more manly for Lulu.”

“Is that even possible with a name like ‘Lulu’?” Anthony teased.

Elodie had the perfect idea. “I will make him a waistcoat. Then everyone will know that Lulu is a serious type of dog.”

“A waistcoat?” Anthony repeated, incredulous. “That is just as absurd as a hat.”

“I think it is a marvelous idea,” Elodie said. “Lulu deserves to look distinguished.”

Anthony shook his head as they strolled down the pavement. “Dogs are not meant to wear clothing or accessories.”

“We shall have to agree to disagree.”

He shot her a playful sideways glance. “Isn’t that how most of our conversations end?”

Elodie smirked. “I can’t help it if you insist on saying such dull things.”

With a mock look of pain, Anthony placed a hand over his heart. “Oh, you wound me, my lady. And here I thought we were getting along so nicely.”

“We are, aren’t we? Which is rather strange.”

“Strange? How so?” Anthony asked.

Elodie hesitated, then said, “It is almost as if we are…”

“Friends?” Anthony said, finishing her thought.

“Yes, friends.”

Anthony’s expression warmed. “I would like to think we are. I certainly consider you a friend.”

They reached the edge of the park, the morning sun filtering through the canopy of trees, casting shadows on the path ahead. They crossed the street and started walking down a path.

Elodie cocked her head. “I suppose you are right. We are friends now that you have stopped teasing me so relentlessly.”

“I tease you, but only because I care.”

She let out an exasperated huff. “Did you care about me when you put worms down the back of my dress at that garden party?”

Anthony grinned. “Perhaps I got a little carried away. But I just wanted your attention.”

“There were far more civilized ways to get my attention,” Elodie declared.

“But none nearly as entertaining,” Anthony said with a laugh.

Elodie rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “You are fortunate I have an unusually high tolerance for feeble-minded people.”

Anthony stopped walking and turned to face her with exaggerated seriousness. “I am a viscount. You should be nicer to me.”

“You wish for me to lie to you, then?”

Anthony chuckled. “You do not mince words, do you?”

“I do not see the point.”

Gesturing towards a nearby bench that sat under the shade of a birch tree, Anthony asked, “Shall we sit for a while?”

Elodie went to settle onto the bench, holding Lulu’s leash loosely in her hand. Her gaze drifted to the peaceful scene before them. The grass seemed to glisten in the sunlight, and she could hear the gentle rustle of the leaves in the breeze. “It really is beautiful here in the morning,” she said.

Anthony sat down beside her. “It is, and it is not very crowded, either. That is one advantage of waking up so early.”

Lulu gave a soft whimper, and Elodie lifted him onto her lap, stroking his soft fur. “I think dogs have a way of making everything better.”

A comfortable silence settled between them. Anthony broke the silence with a soft smile. “Would you care to go on a carriage ride with me today?”

“I’m afraid my afternoon is spoken for,” Elodie replied.

His lips quirked into a teasing smile. “Oh? Plans? Or are you just planning to take an impossibly long nap this afternoon?”

Elodie shrugged one shoulder, finding amusement in the fact that Anthony knew her so well. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with a long nap. But no, that is not my plan. I am going on a carriage ride with Lord Westcott.”

Anthony’s smile faltered ever so slightly. “Lord Westcott?”

“Yes,” Elodie confirmed. “He invited me yesterday when he came to call upon me.”

A hint of something unreadable crossed his features. “But you hate everything about carriage rides,” Anthony remarked.

Elodie’s fingers stilled on Lulu’s fur, feeling a need to defend herself. “I do not hate them,” she corrected. “I just do not enjoy the bugs. They seem to have a personal vendetta against me during this time of year.”

Anthony’s lips pressed into a thin line. “And yet you agreed to go with Westcott,” he said, his voice holding a terseness that had not been there a moment ago.

“He asked politely, and I had no reason to decline.”

“You could not think of a single reason?”

Elodie studied him for a moment. “Anthony, do not tell me you are jealous.”

Anthony’s eyes widened, and he let out a scoff. “Me? Jealous? Of course not,” he said firmly. “I was merely pointing out your long-standing disdain for carriage rides.”

With a wave of her hand, Elodie said, “I will admit that did seem rather ludicrous. Forget I said anything.”

“Consider it forgotten.”

“Good.”

“Yes, good,” he repeated, his voice sounding a touch too formal.

Elodie could not decipher what had caused the change in Anthony’s demeanor, but she was not about to press the matter. Rising to her feet, she gently placed Lulu back on the ground, smoothing out her skirts as she did.

“I suppose we should continue our walk,” she said, a forced lightness in her tone, “before the puppies get restless.”

Anthony stood, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. “Yes. Let us get you home before your mother starts to worry.”

As they resumed their stroll, Elodie felt a confusing mix of emotions whirling inside of her. Anthony’s reaction to her plans with Lord Westcott had been unexpected, and she was not quite sure what to make of it. Part of her wanted to laugh it off, to believe that he was merely being overprotective. But another part of her could not help but wonder if there was something more behind his words.

Anthony sat in the corner of White’s, cradling a drink in his hand. The low murmur of conversations and clinking of glasses filled the air, but he was in no mood to be social. His thoughts were firmly fixed on Elodie and the carriage ride she was about to take with Lord Westcott. A man he had no issue with—until now. The jealousy gnawed at him, and he hated the way it twisted his thoughts.

But what right did he have to be jealous? Elodie was not his, and she was free to do as she pleased. Yet the thought of her enjoying Westcott’s company was like a thorn in his chest. Sighing, Anthony leaned forward, setting his glass on the polished table before him. He needed a clear mind, especially with the ledgers awaiting his attention back home. Drowning his frustration in a drink would not help, no matter how tempting it seemed.

When had his life become so complicated? And how could he show Elodie that he was the man for her, the one who understood her better than any other? He feared that a confession of his feelings might ruin the fragile bond they shared. If she sought nothing more than friendship, revealing his deeper affections could shatter everything. No, he could not take that risk. He would keep his feelings buried if it meant keeping her in his life, even if only as a friend.

He was about to rise when his brother appeared by his side. “I thought I might find you here,” Stephen said.

Anthony was in no mood for his brother. “What is it that you want, Brother?” he asked, his tone clipped.

“I have come to talk,” Stephen replied, easing himself into the brown leather armchair opposite Anthony.

“You should be at home, visiting with your daughter,” Anthony remarked.

Stephen lounged back in his seat as if he did not have a care in the world. “I have already told you that I want nothing to do with that little girl.”

“That little girl has a name,” Anthony retorted, his temper flaring. “Her name is Emma.”

“I still do not know why you brought her into our home,” Stephen grumbled.

“Because she is your daughter, and my niece,” Anthony stated. “I will never cast her out, no matter how inconvenient it is for you.”

“You have made everything so awkward. I can hardly feel at ease in my own home anymore.” “Good gads, do you think of anyone else but yourself?” Anthony asked.

“Why should I?” Stephen shot back, completely unashamed.

Anthony decided he needed a drink after all, especially if he was going to continue this conversation. He retrieved his glass and took a sip. “What are you even doing here?”

Stephen shrugged. “This is where I come when I need to think.”

He could not help a derisive snort. “Then I take it you do not come here very often.”

A flash of irritation crossed Stephen’s face. “I’d think you would be nicer to me since I have come bearing news.”

Anthony lowered the glass to his lap. “What news?”

Stephen leaned forward, glancing around the crowded room, then lowered his voice. “Montrose has placed a wager in the betting book about Elodie.”

Now Stephen had his full attention. “What kind of wager?”

“Montrose intends to ‘tame the shrew .’ Those were his words, not mine,” Stephen said. “He is boasting that he will marry her before the Season ends.”

Anthony’s grip tightened around his glass, his knuckles whitening. “Over my dead body,” he growled, barely able to control the fury rising inside him. “Montrose won’t even get close to Elodie if I have anything to say about it.”

“His wager is causing quite the stir. Elodie is the diamond of the Season, after all. Montrose’s challenge has piqued a lot of interest.”

Anthony’s jaw clenched. “Let them gossip all they want. Elodie will never marry that despicable man. Not while I am around.”

Stephen’s face grew serious. “Just be careful,” he said, a rare flicker of genuine concern in his eyes. “Montrose does not take kindly to being thwarted.”

“I do not care. He will not have Elodie. Not now, not ever,” Anthony declared.

A tense silence stretched between them for a long moment before Stephen stood. “I believe you, but I know what Montrose is capable of. He is not a man that I would want to cross.”

With those words, Stephen walked away, leaving Anthony alone to grapple with his own thoughts. He knew of Montrose’s rakish ways, but he would not step aside and let the man take something that was most precious to him.

Anthony took another sip before placing his glass down. He was about to rise and leave when Bennett and Winston approached him.

“May we join you?” Bennett asked, coming to a stop next to an empty armchair.

“Of course,” Anthony responded, gesturing towards the seats across from him. “I should warn you, though, I might not be the best of company.”

Winston raised an eyebrow as he sat down. “And why is that?”

Anthony frowned. “Stephen just informed me that Montrose placed a bet in the book. He wagers that he will marry Elodie by the end of the Season.”

Bennett’s eyes narrowed. “Absolutely not! Montrose is the last man I would want anywhere near Elodie.”

“I agree,” Anthony said. “But you know how Montrose is. He is already spreading rumors that he intends to ‘tame the shrew.’”

“The shrew?” Winston repeated, his face growing thunderous. “He dares to call Elodie that?”

Anthony nodded. “Precisely.”

Winston’s anger flared. He leaned back in his chair, all traces of humor gone. “What a loathsome man! We should confront him at once. This cannot go unanswered.”

“Talking to him will do no good, but we should warn Elodie,” Bennett said thoughtfully, his voice measured. “And under no circumstances should she be left alone with Montrose.”

“That goes without saying,” Winston huffed, his fingers tapping against the arm of the chair.

Bennett shifted his gaze to Anthony. “Did Stephen say what the wager was for?”

“He did not say,” Anthony replied.

“I will find out,” Bennett said, rising from his seat with a determined look in his eyes. “Give me a moment.”

As Bennett walked off towards the betting book, Winston met Anthony’s gaze. “I did not think it was possible to dislike Montrose more than I already did.”

“How do you think Elodie will react when we tell her about the bet?” Anthony asked.

Winston let out a dry chuckle. “Knowing Elodie, she will probably challenge him to a duel herself.”

Anthony could not help but smile at that thought. “And she would probably win.”

Winston smirked. “Most likely, especially since Montrose is usually deep in his cups. He is a rakehell of the worst kind, and if the rumors are true, he has already ruined several young women this Season.”

Anthony was about to respond when Bennett returned, his expression grim. He dropped down onto his seat and revealed, “Montrose wagered a thousand pounds that he would wed Elodie by the end of the Season.”

“A thousand pounds?” Anthony repeated incredulously. “What a muttonhead.”

“I won’t disagree with you there,” Bennett said with a wry smile. “I went ahead and placed a wager against him. When he loses, I will make a tidy profit.”

Winston rose, his frustration barely contained. “We should warn Elodie at once.”

Bennett put his hand out. “She will be safe with Lord Westcott. He is an honorable man, and he won’t let any harm befall her.”

At the mention of Westcott, Anthony grew tense. “Perhaps we should go to Hyde Park and keep an eye on them?”

“No,” Bennett said firmly. “Elodie would be furious if she found out we were spying on her. She was not pleased when she learned we followed your carriage through Hyde Park.”

“Why did you trail after us?” Anthony asked.

Bennett shrugged. “It was Elodie’s first carriage ride, and we wanted to confirm it went off without a hitch.”

“What did you think might happen?” Anthony inquired.

A knowing smile came to Bennett’s lips. “We are talking about Elodie. Anything is possible with her.”

A reluctant laugh escaped Anthony, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. “True enough,” he admitted.

A server approached their table and collected their drink orders. As he walked off, Bennett asked, “Have you made any progress with Stephen? Has he shown any inclination to do the right thing?”

“No,” Anthony said. “Stephen is impossible. I do not believe he feels an ounce of remorse for how he treated his wife and now his daughter.”

“Did you really expect any different from him?” Winston asked.

Anthony shook his head. “Not really. But with my parents here, I hoped they might knock some sense into him. Maybe… I do not know. There is a part of me that still wishes things could be different.”

Bennett offered him a look that could only be construed as sympathy. “Regardless of what Stephen does, I have no doubt you will do what is right for that girl. You have always been the one to step up when it matters.”

A heavy sigh escaped Anthony. “Yes, I will do my duty, but she is not my responsibility. She is Stephen’s daughter, not mine.”

“That is precisely why you will make sure she is taken care of,” Bennett said gently. “You have always been someone that others can rely on.”

Settling back in his seat, Anthony asked, “Why do I always have to be the reliable one? Just once, I want to do something reckless. Something that is not expected of me.”

Winston snorted. “No, you don’t. You might talk about wanting to be reckless, but you are far too sensible for that.”

A rueful grin tugged at Anthony’s lips. “You are right, of course.” He hesitated before he admitted, “I want what you two have.”

Bennett’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “You mean our good looks?”

“Or perhaps our irresistible charm?” Winston chimed in.

Anthony looked heavenward. “As insufferable as you both are, that is not what I meant.”

“Then what?” Bennett asked, his tone suddenly becoming more earnest.

Tracing his fingers along the rim of his empty glass, he replied, “I want someone who is always there. Someone who sees me—truly sees me—flaws and all. I want… love.”

The word seemed to hang in the air between them, a raw and honest admission that Anthony had never dared to voice before. It left him feeling exposed, but there was no taking it back.

Winston’s teasing demeanor softened. “You will find her, Anthony. When the right person comes along, you will know.”

Anthony’s thoughts drifted, unbidden, to Elodie. The image of her teasing smile came to his mind. There was a spark in her that had always drawn him in, a light that he could not help but be fascinated by.

Bennett eyed him curiously. “You have already found her, have you not?”

“Whatever do you mean?” Anthony asked.

“I do not know how I could make my question any clearer,” Bennett replied. “It is rather obvious you are already in love. So, who is she?”

Anthony worked to keep the emotions off his face. “I am not in love,” he said firmly, though the words felt like a lie even to his own ears.

Bennett didn’t look convinced. “I have known you since our days at Eton. You are smitten, my friend. Anyone with half a mind can see it.”

Rising, Anthony said, “Gentlemen, if you will excuse me, I have work that I must see to.”

“No, stay,” Bennett said.

“Don’t go!” Winston attempted.

Anthony tugged down on the ends of his blue waistcoat. “I’m afraid I have neglected the accounts for long enough today.”

“You can run, but you can’t hide forever,” Bennett advised. “Sooner or later, you will have to face your feelings for this girl—whoever she is.”

Anthony gave a curt nod. “Perhaps, but that time is not now. I have other responsibilities. Good day.”

As he walked away, Anthony knew Bennett’s words would haunt him. Because deep down, he knew they were true. And admitting the truth—admitting his feelings—meant risking everything he had with Elodie. And he was not sure if he was ready for that kind of gamble. Not yet.