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E vie had arrived at the ball and instantly been bombarded with questions and snide comments under the guise of congratulating her on her engagement. Women who had never spoken or acknowledged her suddenly appeared to be her best friend…if her best friend wanted to subtly attack her, that was.

One thing was now abundantly clear, however. People thought the Earl of Hamilton could have done better.

“It’s all very well for you to find the situation funny, yet I cannot. So far, someone has hinted that I may carry your child. Or I have compromised you.”

“Someone actually said those things to you?” He raised a brow.

“They did not say the words outright, but I understood the meaning. Society may look polished and cultured. It may titter and take tea from dainty cups while eating sandwiches no bigger than my finger—”

“I believe they are called finger sandwiches.”

Evie looked at him and while his face held no expression, which she’d seen many times, those eyes were another matter entirely. He was laughing at her.

“And what did you reply to the person who alluded to you carrying my child, Evangeline?”

“Isn’t it considered vulgar to speak to a woman of such things?”

“Possibly, but I doubt your sensibilities are hurt as you are not the average society miss.”

She huffed out a breath. “They weren’t.”

“And I will remind you at this juncture that it was not I who told Lord Cavendish about our engagement. That was you, Evangeline.”

“I know,” she snapped, “and if I could go back and change that I would.”

“You can’t, so make the best of it,” Anthony said. “Remember Cavendish.”

She shuddered.

“Has he approached you?”

“No. I think he will keep his distance now,” Evie said looking around her for the man. She could not see him, thankfully.

She watched Prue dance by with Mr. Landon. “May I ask you something, my lord?”

He nodded.

“Do you know Mr. Landon?”

His eyes went to Prue, who was laughing at something her dance partner said.

“Not well, but enough that I can say I have heard nothing that would put your sister off marrying him, were it to come to that.”

“It’s vexing being a woman,” Evie said. “I cannot ask questions as a man can, but it is just as important to me that Prue be happy as it is she marry someone with money.”

“The Landons are comfortable,” he said. “Now, the music is about to end, and I will caution you to hold your counsel and think of the end result before telling someone exactly what you think of them for their impertinent questions, Evangeline.”

“I am not a fool, my lord. I know what is at stake.”

“And yet, I’m quite sure you can be pushed into losing what little control you have.” The side of his mouth tilted up, which Evie knew constituted a smile.

“I’ll have you know that my control is excellent,” she added.

He’d kissed her outside her house the day he’d spoken to her father. Just a simple brush of his lips over hers, and she’d not been able to stop thinking of that moment since. She wanted him to kiss her again, which was the perfect reason to keep her distance from her infamous fiancé.

“I assure you, Lord Hamilton, I am quite capable of playing the pretty when required. I was just shocked at the onslaught of questions and comments when I arrived. I have recovered now.”

“Dance with my friends; they know about us.”

“You told them, when I was not allowed to tell Prue?” Outraged, she glared at him.

“So you haven’t told her?”

Evie refused to look away, even as she wanted to.

“You told her didn’t you, Evangeline?”

Her name seemed to roll off his lips in a way it had on no one else’s lips before.

“She followed me about the house, constantly firing questions at me until I broke down and told her. People think she is the amiable Spencer, which let me assure you is not true. She’s as tenacious as a fox on a hunt when required.”

“She is just able to hide it better than you. I have a sister with a temperament like yours.”

“She must be wonderful then.”

“She is.”

“Is she not in society?” Evie had a feeling he did not like to talk about the people closest to him.

“No, she lives in the country with her husband.”

His words were cooler now, and were she anyone else, she would heed the warning that this was not a subject he wanted to pursue.

“Are you close?”

“I have no wish to discuss anything personal with you. This is a business arrangement. Please respect that.”

The man who had teased her just moments before was gone again. The ruthless earl was back.

“Of course. Thank you for the dance,” Evie said as the music finished. He led her back to where Prue now stood and then left with a curt bow. Before she could speak to her sister, Lord Pyne had whisked her away to dance.

“Hello, has your fiancé wandered off already?”

Evie smiled at Lord Corbyn, whom she knew was Anthony’s friend.

“So it would seem, my lord.”

“Would you like to dance or walk about the room pretending to be interested in the exquisite decor and well-dressed guests?”

“I would like to walk, thank you.”

He held out his arm, and she placed her fingers on it.

“I believe there is a gallery through that door. We could view the somber ancestors if you like?” Evie nodded.

The room had plenty of people wandering about but was not as crowded as the ballroom. True to Lord Corbyn’s word, there were indeed many somber-looking ancestors staring down at them.

“Why do you believe no one is allowed to smile in a portrait?” Evie asked.

“I believe a smile is harder to hold for long periods,” he said.

“Which makes sense had I given it more thought.”

He laughed. “Sometimes we need others to point out what we don’t know.”

“I’m afraid one of my weaknesses is my need to know everything,” Evie said.

“If that is the case, then I can only imagine the arguments you have already had with Anthony.”

This time Evie laughed. “I know that you know, my lord.”

“I thought you might.”

“The original idea was Lord Hamilton’s, and I foolishly expedited matters in the park,” she said.

“I know the details and lay no blame at either of your doors. Circumstances forced you into the betrothal. Plus, my friend does nothing he hasn’t thoroughly thought through first. So, his betrothal to you was something he wanted.”

Evie felt a small jolt of pleasure at that and squashed it. Lord Hamilton felt nothing for her, as she did for him. This was merely a business arrangement.

“I doubt either of us wanted it.”

He did not reply to that for a long while.

“Anthony is my oldest and closest friend besides Lord Stafford. He is also one of the best men I know. Don’t believe what you see or hear about him in society, Miss Spencer. Not all of it is true.”

Why had he just told her that?

“His aunts seem lovely,” Evie said, unsure what else to say.

“They are wonderful ladies, and we have a lot to thank them for,” Lord Corbyn said.

“Were you all childhood friends, my lord?”

“We have been friends from a young age, yes. We became so at school.”

“I would like to have had an education, other than what I learned from my mother and books,” she said.

“I’m sure your education was a great deal more fun than ours, Miss Spencer.” His eyes were on the painting above them, but she knew he wasn’t seeing the austere-looking gentleman.

“Lord Corbyn.” She patted his hand, needing to ease the sudden tension in him. “I’m sorry if your school life was not what it should have been.”

He looked down at her and she saw a flash of pain, and then it was gone.

“It was hell,” he said quietly. “But that is in the past, and now I am to dance with the lovely Lady Barlow. Come, I will take you back to your sister.”

“I will stay, my lord, and wander. I rather enjoy studying all the austere-looking ancestors.”

“Thank you for walking with me, Miss Spencer. I enjoyed our talk.”

“As did I, Lord Corbyn.”

She watched him walk away from her, thinking the entire conversation unusual. Why had he said that Anthony was one of the best men he knew? It was not like she had a future with the man.

Evie wandered, nodded to people, but did not stop. If she kept moving, no one would question her about her sudden engagement and the reasons behind it.

“Do take a look at the stars, Miss Spencer, they are really something this evening.”

“Thank you, I will, Lady Beasley,” Evie said, surprised the woman was talking to her, considering she wanted her daughter to be the next Countess of Hamilton.

“And do accept my congratulations on your engagement,” Lady Beasley added with a smile.

“Thank you.” Stunned at the woman’s change of heart, Evie felt the least she could do was look at the stars. Stepping through the open doors, she walked to the edge of the balcony. The air was cool and held the scents of London.

“Oh, Miss Spencer. Do help me!”

Looking around for who was calling her Evie glanced over the railing, and found Miss Beasley below, wringing her hands.

“What is wrong, Miss Beasley?” Evie started down the stairs to her right.

“A man, he has fallen, and I fear broken his leg. You must help.”

“I will get help,” Evie said reaching her.

“Oh please, just come, he is groaning in agony. It is that way. I can’t stand the sight of blood, and his head is bleeding. I shall get help.”

“Very well.” Evie picked up her skirts and ran down the path. Torches lit the way, but it grew darker the farther she ventured. Looking around her, she saw no sign of an injured man.

Stopping when she reached a small opening with seats, she heard someone moaning to her right. Stepping from the path she hurried in that direction. The man was bent at the waist, with his back to her.

“Are you all right, sir?”

He straightened, and then turned. Evie began to back away as Lord Cavendish smiled at her.

“I don’t think so, Miss Spencer.” He grabbed her arm.