Page 18

E vie slapped Prue’s hands aside as she attempted to pinch some color into her cheeks.

“Is there a need to pinch so hard?”

“You are pale, Evie, and while I know that is a combination of nerves and fear, Lord Hamilton will not.”

They were in their bedchamber and Prue was fussing with her appearance.

“I’m still shocked by what you told me, Evie. To think he apologized to you, and now is taking you driving in the park today. It’s very romantic.”

Prue thought many things were romantic.

Evie had broached the subject of Lord Hamilton taking her driving last night, as casually as she could, to her father and sister. Heathcliff Spencer was delighted, and Prue shocked.

“I thought you disliked each other?” had been the first words out of her mouth. To which Evie had replied “not anymore” with as much conviction as she could.

“It is only a drive in the park, Prue. Don’t make more of it than need be.

But I find that I do like him more after we talked.

” The words felt like they were choking her.

Looking down at her gloves, she avoided her sister’s eyes.

“As I explained last night, you know I thought it would be you that had suitors falling all over themselves for your attention, which they are…will be,” she added quickly.

“But now you have one, and he is the powerful and wealthy Lord Hamilton. His reputation worries me, Evie. It is terrible. The rumors around that man make me worry for you.”

“Prue—”

“Miss Haddock said that he has five mistresses and a gambling den in his town house.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Evie said. While she knew his reputation, she believed a lot had been embellished. There had to be some good in that man, because his three aunts adored him, and Lords Corbyn and Jamieson were loyal to him.

“While you will not openly acknowledge it, Evie, I know you are only doing this for father and me.”

“As you would, and likely will. This season was for one of us to find a match, Prue.”

“Evie—”

“But I like Lord Hamilton. He does not flatter me, and we have spoken on many interesting topics. He is no fool, and as you know, I can’t abide those.”

“Really?” Prue looked relieved. Evie had said the right things to ease her worry.

“Yes.”

“Well then, let me look at you.” Prue held out Evie’s arms. “If you are to drive around the park with the devil, you must at least look good.”

“He is not the devil.” Evie sighed.

“He is not far from it according to many who walk in society.” Prue studied her. “The lemon is a perfect color for you. Perhaps I should just—”

“If you touch my cheeks again, I will slap you. Now back away, as I heard someone knock on our door.”

“Oh, very well. I only want your happiness, Evie,” Prue then said solemnly.

The sisters hugged. “I know, as I want that for you.”

“Will you take Sarah with you, Evie?”

“I will, yes.” Their maid would accompany her. Which was silly as far as Evie was concerned. She’d been walking about London alone since arriving here, but she also knew what sticklers society was for rules.

She followed Prue out the hall and down the stairs. Evie could hear the deep voice of Lord Hamilton as she drew closer. He was talking with their father in the small front parlor.

She wouldn’t feel shame having him here. Yes, it was not grand like the places he was used to, but it mattered not. He would not be in her life for long. This was a deal between them that would last the rest of the season.

Entering the room, Evie found the immaculately dressed Lord Hamilton seated across from her father. They appeared to be discussing horses, which her father loved but could no longer afford to purchase.

“Ah, here they are, my lovely daughters,” Heathcliff Spencer said regaining his feet along with Lord Hamilton.

“Miss Spencer, Miss Prudence Spencer.” He bowed deeply.

“Lord Hamilton, how lovely to see you,” Prue said. Evie bobbed a curtsey and managed a tight smile.

They must spend time together to convince people they were engaged…

or soon would be. Would anyone believe he could be interested in her?

After all, he could have his pick of any woman, even if half of them were terrified of him, and she was hardly a catch.

Older than the average debutante and not as pretty, there would surely be questions.

“Allow me to tell you how lovely you look today, Miss Spencer,” Lord Hamilton said.

“Thank you.” The words felt like they were choking her. Prue and her father were watching closely, and she hated lying to them.

“Shall we go?” she asked.

“Of course.” He smiled, seeming completely at ease, while her insides were churning like butter.

Prue squeezed Evie’s hand and told her to have fun. Her father kissed her cheek, and then they were outside and climbing into his carriage. She took the seat beside Sarah, while Lord Hamilton sat across from her.

“It’s a lovely day for a drive,” he said as they started moving.

“Yes, lovely,” she agreed.

She felt his eyes on her as Evie’s went to the window to watch the scenery until they entered the park. They circled slowly behind other carriages and horses, and then Lord Hamilton tapped on the roof, and they halted.

“A walk, I think.” He opened the door and stepped down.

Evie couldn’t very well argue and demand to continue in the carriage, so she took his large, gloved hand and climbed out. He assisted Sarah to do the same.

“Put your hand into the crook of my elbow, Evangeline.” The words were spoken softly, but she heard the order behind them.

She managed a jerky nod, and then her eyes were scanning the people before them. Who had seen them together? She saw two groups looking their way.

“I look exactly as you do when I am forced to eat boiled salmon, Evangeline. Smile for pity’s sake. If we are to convince anyone you have fallen madly in love with me, you need to work on your acting skills.”

“I like boiled salmon.” Evie smiled after she’d said the words. “The problem is, I don’t like to be fake and loathe that about some in society. Plus, I don’t remember us ever discussing falling madly in love.” The very thought made her stomach clench.

“I doubt either of us are the falling madly in love kind. However, this is something we both decided upon, so put your back into it, Evangeline.”

“Very well. I shall try.” She smiled up at him, fluttering her eyelashes. “I cannot tell you how lovely it is to be here today, walking in the park with you, Lord Hamilton.”

He frowned. “I will need to be on my guard with you. That was very convincing for all you said you couldn’t act. Will you try to use my name now, Evangeline?”

“Anthony.” It sounded off and misshapen on her lips.

They walked a few more steps before he spoke. “Excellent. What is your favorite color?” he asked.

“Yellowy orange.”

“Not just yellow, or orange?”

“It is the color that strikes the meadow at the edge of my father’s land when the sun begins to rise.”

He sighed.

“You don’t like my color choice, Anthony?”

“There now. You’re getting the hang of it, Evangeline.”

She only just resisted the urge to poke out her tongue.

“As to your question,” he continued. “It makes my choice of green seem bland,” he said. “Are you one of those people who describe things in flowery prose?”

Evie wondered how many people, besides those closest to him, knew this man had a sense of humor. Not many, she guessed, as he was usually leaning on ballroom walls with a mocking look on his face.

“Well, there are many greens. Perhaps the color of the leaves on a walnut tree, or a silver birch? When the sun hits—”

“Dark green,” he drawled, interrupting her. “Let’s move on as I am woeful at descriptions, and clearly you are not. Favorite food.”

“That’s easy. Boiled salmon and potatoes.”

“You’re a mean person, Evangeline.”

“Surely not?” Now the nerves had eased slightly, she realized she was enjoying herself, much to her surprise. “My favorite sweet foods are plum cake and barley sugar candy.”

“I am partial to eclairs and sugar plums,” he said.

“Both excellent choices,” she agreed.

They were walking down a path behind others out for a stroll. Some shot them curious looks. Lord Hamilton nodded, or doffed his hat, and Evie smiled. It was getting easier, she thought. As soon as that thought entered her head, she saw him.

“It will be all right, Evangeline. Trust me.” He placed a hand over the one she had on his arm. “Breathe easy and continue to smile.”

She concentrated on inhaling and exhaling as Lord Cavendish stalked toward them with another man she knew as Mr. Calthorpe. As they drew closer, she saw the anger mottling Lord Cavendish’s face.

“Miss Spencer. What is the meaning of this?” He spat the words out as he reached them. “Unhand the woman I plan to marry at once, Hamilton.”

“Cavendish, Calthorpe,” Anthony said, in his slow drawl. “Lovely day for a walk with a beautiful woman.”

“I demand to know why you are walking with Miss Spencer, Hamilton, when you know my intentions toward her.”

“I know nothing about you, Cavendish, and have no wish to,” Lord Hamilton said.

Evie tensed as Lord Cavendish leaned in, his eyes narrowed and mean as he glared at Anthony, and then her.

“Come here, Miss Spencer, and away from him!”

“Back away, Cavendish, before I make you.” Lord Hamilton’s voice, though not growling like Lord Cavendish’s, still conveyed a menacing threat.

Evie now saw the man most of society feared.

“Miss Spencer never once indicated to me she found your interest in her favorable,” he added. “Do as I say, Cavendish, and move back, because you are making a scene, and while I care little for that, I know appearances are everything to a man like you.”

“I don’t take orders from you,” Cavendish snapped, but his eyes shot left and right.

People had stopped to watch, and in that moment, Evie wanted to return home and close the door and never leave the Spencer house again.

“When it comes to Miss Spencer you do, Cavendish.”

“What? You have no claim on her,” Lord Cavendish spluttered. He fell back a step, clearly shocked.

“Exactly. What are you about, Hamilton?” the man with him, Calthorpe, said. “Some kind of petty revenge you’re still seeking for the harmless games at Blackwood Hall?”

Evie felt the arm beneath her fingers tense. Lord Hamilton’s expression was once again wearing that mocking smile, but when he looked down at her briefly, she saw the rage. She wondered what lay between these men. What had happened at Blackwood Hall?

“You were a coward then, and you’re—”

“Lord Hamilton has asked me to marry him, and I have accepted,” Evie said quickly, cutting off Lord Cavendish. “We are blissfully happy at the prospect, and I would ask you to respect my decision, my lord.” She dug her fingers into the hard muscled arm.

“Extremely happy,” Anthony said, in a voice cold enough to freeze water.

Lord Cavendish looked about to have an apoplexy. His face was flushed red, and his hands clenched into fists.

“I knew nothing of your partiality toward each other,” he gritted out. “Miss Spencer and I spoke just the other night—”

“You spoke, Lord Cavendish. I did not. Nor did I agree to what you proposed.”

“You knew my intentions, woman. Knew what I wanted.”

Anthony’s hand once again settled on hers. The gentle squeeze was reassuring.

“Her name is Miss Spencer, and if you speak to her like that again, Cavendish, you will be walking away with a bloodied nose… at the very least.”

Had he really just said that in a public setting? She felt a small surge of heat that he was protecting her, even if this, what was between them, was not real.

“You threatened me, Lord Cavendish,” Evie continued, keeping her voice soft so those craning to overhear, could not.

“Did he? Care to tell me how, Evangeline?”

“No.” She shook her head to ensure Lord Hamilton understood. “It no longer matters.”

“It matters to me,” he said darkly.

“Misunderstanding,” Cavendish said glaring at her. “Woman’s not the most intelligent, if you grasp my meaning, Hamilton. You may want to revise your intentions toward her.”

Before Evie could tell Cavendish exactly what she thought of him, Lord Hamilton released Evie and started to remove his jacket.

“Wh-what are you doing!” Mr. Calthorpe yelped.

“Cavendish insulted the woman I am to marry.”

“It was not his intention,” Calthorpe added. “Tell him it wasn’t.”

“It was not my intention,” Cavendish said reluctantly.

Anthony stopped his movements, and picked up Evie’s hand, placing it back on his arm. “Miss Spencer is to be my wife. Therefore, under my protection. I suggest you think long and hard before insulting her again, Cavendish.”

“You will both regret this,” Lord Cavendish hissed.

“Be careful. That sounded like a threat to me, and I believe I have already told you I do not take well to those,” Lord Hamilton said.

Both men turned and stalked away, leaving Evie wanting to do the same. However, noting the curious looks around them, she forced her lips into a smile, and wondered what she had now found herself in the middle of.