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“I ’m not sure why you are needling me, both of you,” Anthony said to Jamie and Toby when Miss Spencer went to inspect the bows. “But desist, or I shall make you pay.”

“He is excellent at revenge,” Toby said. “Do you remember that time he—”

“God’s blood, you two are trying,” Anthony snapped.

“Come now, she is three times Chipping Nodbury champion. Surely you can allow her to compete with us?”

Jamie’s face was all innocence, but when you knew someone as well as you knew yourself, you understood when you were being played.

“She’s a lovely woman and would make you an—”

The words finished on a wheezing sound as Anthony elbowed Toby hard in the stomach.

“Right, then,” Jamie said, grinning because he hadn’t received the jab. “Have you selected a bow that would suit you, Miss Spencer?”

When Anthony had turned to find Miss Spencer standing there with her sister, he’d thought seriously about leaving. Just picking up his bow and disappearing into the trees. But as his aunts were due to arrive, he couldn’t.

The woman made him feel like he had an itch he couldn’t quite reach, and then there was the fact that she was on the list his aunts had written, about which he seriously regretted telling his friends, even if he’d crossed her name off.

Plus, now he knew the plans Cavendish had in place for her, and that unsettled him.

Miss Evangeline Spencer got under his skin, and no one did that. He couldn’t understand why her, of all women?

It certainly wasn’t her fashion sense. Today’s bonnet had a wide brim that looked like it was more poor design than deliberate, and under her chin was a fat blue silk bow.

The long ends trailed down her chest to a simple white dress with no lace or frills.

At least the hem reached her footwear this time.

“I will use this one if I may,” she said, holding up a bow for them to see. It was the one Anthony always brought in case his aunts wanted to participate.

“Off you go then, or we will be here all day.”

She glared at him.

“Take a step forward, Miss Spencer, as women’s targets are usually a great deal closer.”

She looked at him, her brown eyes narrowed, suggesting she would like to tell him exactly what to do with his words.

“There is no need for that.” She stomped into place.

“Well, I fear the animosity is not yours alone, my friend,” Toby whispered.

Ignoring him, Anthony watched as she prepared to fire her first arrow. Clearly, if she was a three times champion, she had some ability, but he did question her competitors. Her shoulders rose as she inhaled and lowered as she released the breath.

The thought of Cavendish breaking her spirit made him want to warn her off. She had to be told what that man was capable of. Not by him, but perhaps by Jamie or Toby?

He watched as she released the arrow, and, much to his annoyance, hit the target dead center.

His friends clapped loudly, as did his aunts and Miss Prudence Spencer. Anthony said nothing.

Miss Spencer gave them a small smile and stepped back out of the way.

“Right then, I’m next,” Toby said, looking far too happy.

He shot close to the center, as did Jamie, and Anthony, who had always been better than his friends, as he practiced regularly, having set up targets in the garden of his townhouse, hit dead center also, just beside hers.

“Oh, well done!” Aunt Aggie cried.

“Excellent shot, my lord,” Miss Spencer said in a tight voice that suggested she did not think it excellent at all.

Anthony fought his smile. It seemed he was not the only competitive person present.

They shot three more rounds, and she’d got the closest to him, but not close enough, Anthony was pleased to say.

“You have excellent aim, Miss Spencer,” Toby said. “It seems you are worthy of your title.”

She gave him a tight smile. Clearly she was still as uncomfortable as he in being here, even if he’d seen the spark of excitement when she moved to fire her arrows.

Anthony stepped back as she prepared to fire her last one.

Cavendish would dictate her every move if he married her. Anthony knew Miss Spencer. She would fight back, but it would not last. Cavendish would break her. The thought left a foul taste in his mouth. He would use Miss Spencer and discard her.

“I fear I will get frostbite if you two continue with this rigid politeness,” Toby said pulling Anthony from his thoughts.

“It’s like watching two wary dogs circling each other. Neither wants to attack first,” Jamie added.

“What are you talking about? We are being exactly as two people who barely know each other should be.”

“If you insist,” Toby said.

“But I think she’s wonderful and would make you a—” This time it was Jamie who received the elbow.

“Another word, and I’ll follow that up with a punch,” Anthony snarled. Jamie simply laughed.

His eyes went back to Miss Spencer. Back straight, feet shoulder-distance apart, and her knees slightly bent. Arm straight to prevent her muscles tiring. Anthony wondered who had tutored her, as she was good. She released the arrow, and he watched its flight all the way to the center of the target.

“Well done,” Jamie said clapping loudly. “You are indeed an excellent archer, Miss Spencer. No one has bested Anthony in years, but it seems you may do it.”

She nodded, but there was no smile as she retreated. His friends didn’t get close to her arrow, and then it was Anthony’s last turn.

“Down to you now, Anthony!” Aunt Lavinia called as he prepared to fire. He focused on the target and Miss Spencer’s arrow. Releasing it, he watched it hit hers, dislodging it.

Loud clapping ensued, with his aunts congratulating him. He turned to face Miss Spencer, who to his surprise was clapping too.

“Well done, my lord. That was excellent aim.”

He nodded his head. “As was yours,” he said reluctantly.

“Thank you for allowing me to intrude on your private time. I am grateful.” He knew those words had been spoken with reluctance. Dropping into a curtsey, she then walked back to her sister. Anthony watched as she hauled Miss Prudence Spencer to her feet.

“I’m enjoying myself,” the youngest Spencer protested.

“But we are intruding, so it is time to go,” Miss Spencer added as he and his friends approached.

“Oh, but now we are to picnic,” his Aunt Petunia said.

Anthony knew what his aunts were about. They had Miss Spencer here, and she was on the list, so this was the perfect time for Anthony to spend time with her.

“We have a… thing,” Miss Spencer said as she had earlier. Clearly, she did not excel at lying like some he knew. He watched as she nudged her sister in the side.

“Oh right, that thing,” Miss Prudence Spencer said.

“Good day to you all, and enjoy your picnic,” they said together.

“And thank you for the entertainment and lovely biscuits,” Prudence Spencer added.

“Lovely girls,” Aunt Lavinia said watching the Spencers leave. “So well mannered.”

“I’m now doubly pleased to have put Miss Spencer’s name on the list, Anthony, as she is your equal in archery,” Aunt Petunia added.

“Both girls are indeed sweet natured,” Aunt Aggie said.

“Are we talking about the Spencers?” Anthony said, no longer able to keep quiet. “Because there is no way that older one could be termed sweet natured. She would be the last person I could ever marry.”

“Funny how she’s like that with you,” Toby said dropping down beside Aunt Aggie’s chair to forage through the picnic basket. “With the rest of us she’s exceedingly sweet natured.”

“That is interesting.” Aunt Petunia got a look on her face that told him she was more than happy with the thought that Miss Spencer was only irritated when Anthony was near. “How intriguing.”

“Not intriguing,” Anthony snapped. He then bent to take a biscuit and bit into it, so he couldn’t speak again.

His friends and family then proceeded to list the merits of the three women on the list, much to his frustration. Anthony’s reputation was fierce with anyone but this lot, and now Miss Spencer had infiltrated that part of his life. He was not happy about that… not happy at all.

“Well now, Miss Spencer has more merits than others, so I think we have the future Lady Hamilton,” Toby said. Anthony threw his half-eaten biscuit at him.