Page 24

A nthony hadn’t slept more than a few hours after returning home last night.

He’d thought about gambling or calling on his mistress.

Neither had created so much as a flicker of interest in him.

So, he’d gone to the room downstairs where he’d hung a punching bag and beat it until he could think no more.

Cavendish wanted to ruin Evangeline Spencer because of him. She may believe she played some part in that, but he knew differently.

He should never had entered this foolish arrangement between them, because now she would need to be protected… by him.

Sipping his coffee, he wondered at this feeling inside him.

The fierce need he’d felt last night to maim Cavendish and Calthorpe for hurting her.

Anthony had worked hard not to show anger or pain.

He fought his demons by doing the things that made him feel, and they’d grown more daring and aggressive.

But now he wasn’t sure anything would draw his attention away from her.

Where before he’d actively sought anything that would rid him of the cold and make him feel, even for a few minutes, now he wanted to feel nothing when she was near.

Anthony knew something was changing inside him, and he didn’t like it, because he couldn’t control it. He reminded himself again to keep his distance from Evangeline Spencer.

His aunts arrived in a flurry of excitement as Anthony was eating his breakfast. They burst into his parlor all talking at once.

“Anthony!” Aunt Petunia ran to him with her short black dog, Monty, on her heels. It yapped and turned circles as he regained his feet, bracing for the inevitable. “You’re engaged to Miss Spencer! We could not be happier.”

“So happy,” his other two aunts parroted.

“Monty, enough!” he bellowed as the dog kept barking excitedly.

“He is just happy, aren’t you, darling?” Aunt Aggie said. “We traveled straight here once we heard the news.”

“How is it you got the news of my engagement miles from London?” Anthony said as he waved them into seats, resigned his morning meal would be shared with his aunts. Monty then leapt at him. He caught the dog and returned to his chair.

“A note arrived from Bessie. You remember her dear, Lady Riddle. Well, her daughter told her, and she sent word immediately, which is what you should have done.”

“I wanted to tell you in person and had planned to do so today.”

All three of them harrumphed.

“Tea, Dibley, and lashings of it, as we have much to discuss,” Aunt Petunia said. “Before we go to the exhibition.”

“Much to discuss,” Aunt Lavinia added. “Also, Dibley, if Cook has baked some of those lemon biscuits, we would not be displeased.”

Stroking Monty’s soft ear, he watched his aunts order his butler around. It was like being buffeted by a gentle breeze when they arrived. But Anthony would allow these three women to do whatever they wanted within the safety of his home.

He remembered the day they’d saved him as if it was yesterday. Two years after he arrived at Blackwood Hall, his aunts had called to see him. Anthony had been told to dress well and say nothing by the Housemaster. He’d done the first, but not the second.

They’d taken him for a drive while forcing the food they’d brought with them into his hand. He’d broken down. Lost control and wept. They’d demanded to know why, and Anthony had shown them exactly what he was regularly subjected to. He’d exposed the welts, bruises, and marks on his body.

It was rare he saw anger on his aunts’ faces, but he saw it that day.

The carriage had turned around and returned to Blackwood Hall.

Aunts Petunia and Lavinia had then left him with Aunt Aggie and stormed the walls of Blackwood Hall.

They had never told him exactly what was said, but from that day onward, the lives of Anthony, Toby, and Jamie had changed for the better.

It had not all been easy, but they no longer woke each day terrified for what they’d have to endure.

If they’d done nothing else for him, they’d have his eternal gratitude for that alone, but they’d been a constant source of love and affection in both his and Harriet’s lives.

“Now, when is the wedding to be?” Aunt Aggie asked.

“We have not discussed that as yet,” Anthony said, feeding the dog some ham.

“Not at the table please, Anthony,” Aunt Petunia said as she did every time he fed Monty.

He would need to tread carefully with these three. They could sniff out a lie at ten paces.

“We want to meet her,” Aunt Aggie said.

“I thought you already had, which is why she was on the list?” Anthony said.

“Yes, but just in a social situation,” Aunt Petunia replied.

“You put a name on the list, and you did not even know the character of the woman? Shame on you,” he said, teasing her. “All of you,” he said.

“Oh, pooh to that. Now hurry it along. We are going to the exhibition and for a jaunt around the park, as we have the open carriage, and you are coming with us. I want all the details of your betrothal.”

“Am I?”

“Yes, I want to hear everything,” Aunt Aggie said.

“And if I say no, you will all harangue me until I agree?” Anthony asked.

“Exactly. Finally, you are learning,” Aunt Aggie said smiling. “But the art will be lovely to see.”

“You do know most people fear me, don’t you?” he drawled.

“Yes, but not us.”

They left forty minutes later, Anthony next to Aunt Lavinia and the other two seated across from him with Monty.

“You will be married in St. George’s, of course,” Aunt Aggie said.

“Of course,” Anthony agreed, because there would be no wedding, so he would simply agree with what they wanted.

He wondered how Evie was this morning. Cavendish had scared her, and then she punched and kneed him in the groin. He’d been proud of her for that. At least he knew she could disarm a man if need be.

But not one who grabbed her from behind.

“Do you care for her, Anthony?” Aunt Lavinia asked.

“That will come, Lavinia. There is no need for any of that yet. As long as there is respect the rest will happen,” Aunt Petunia said.

“But he is our boy, and I want him to be happy,” Aunt Lavinia added with an uncharacteristic snap to her words.

“I will be happy,” he said squeezing her hand. “Have no fear.”

She smiled and nodded, pleased with his response. “Because you deserve that, my boy, considering you have not been for so long.”

“I’m happy,” he protested, uncomfortable that she knew this about him.

“No, you are not. No one lives the life you do, pursuing the things you have, and is happy, Anthony,” Aunt Aggie said. “But I have hopes that Miss Spencer can change that for you.”

He shouldn’t have done it. His engagement to Evangeline had stirred up so much emotion, and when it was over, his aunts would be heartbroken. But it would be for the best.

Anthony was not a man someone like Evangeline Spencer should be married to. His demons would destroy her.

They drove through London with his aunts waving at and greeting anyone they came across.

He had spent many hours both night and day wandering these streets. It was as familiar to him as his estates, and likely more so. Sampson’s Confectioners caught his eye.

“Stop if you please, Huntley,” he said to his aunts’ driver.

“What’s wrong?” Aunt Aggie looked around her.

“Nothing. I want to purchase some sweets. I will return shortly.”

“I tell you that boy has changed since he’s become engaged,” he heard Aunt Lavinia say as he walked to the shop.

Rolling his eyes, he then purchased what he needed and returned minutes later with two bags.

One he handed to his aunts, the other he kept in his pocket, after popping one sweet into his mouth.

“Do you know I don’t believe I’ve had a lemon drop for years,” Aunt Aggie said. She then sucked loudly. “Delicious.”

While they discussed the need to eat more lemon drops, he thought about his next move with Evie. He needed to ensure Cavendish and his lot were no threat to her. But how?

Entering the park, he enjoyed the cool, crisp breeze on his face. People knew he was related to these three, but he rarely spent time with them in public, so those they passed were surprised to see him rolling around the park in an open-topped carriage.

Anthony had many responsibilities, and now it seemed he had more. The Spencers. They had no money, which he needed to address. He’d said he’d help Evie with investments, but their immediate need was more pressing. Prudence Spencer needed to wed and wed well.

The carriage stopped as the art exhibition appeared.

He saw plenty of easels, some set up with completed artwork, others with artists painting.

Studying the scene while his aunts chatted with Ladies Barber and Harper, whose carriage had pulled up alongside, his eyes landed on the back of a woman who was walking behind a couple.

Evie. She stopped to study a painting. Standing slightly to the right while her sister and Landon strolled on.

To her left was another group, and Miss Beasley was among them.

“Excuse me,” he said to his aunts. “I see someone I wish to speak with. I shall return shortly.”

They waved him away, and he climbed from the carriage, making for Evie. She was moving again. Head down, shoulders hunched and to him, she looked dejected. Had something else happened? He increased his pace but was too late to intercept her before the other women.

“Well, if it isn’t Miss Spencer. I wonder you dare to show your face after last night,” Miss Beasley said loudly, unaware that he was behind her.

Evie turned and saw him, her eyes widening.

“I know what you did with Lord Cavendish,” Miss Beasley hissed. “We all do.”

“Oh? And how is it you know that, if it was not you and your mother who lured me outside on the pretext of helping someone?” Evangeline said.

“Hello, my sweet.” Anthony moved to her side. He then placed a hand on her back. “How are you today?”

“Lord Hamilton!” Miss Beasley looked shocked. Her friends, however, were shooting her questioning glances.

He bowed to the women, still smiling, which he was sure did not reach his eyes. This woman and her mother had lured Evie into Cavendish’s clutches. The outcome could have been a great deal worse had he not found her.

“What were you discussing when I arrived?” Anthony asked feigning ignorance.

“I-ah, was just discussing a rumor I overheard,” Miss Beasley said quickly.

“Rumor?” Evie said, her tone ice cold.

Looking down at her, Anthony noted she was pale and had smudges beneath her eyes. Clearly, she hadn’t slept well.

“You lured me to Lord Cavendish, Miss Beasley—”

“I cannot believe you would speak such slanderous lies to me!” She clutched her chest.

“Lies are they?” Evie snapped.

“Allow me to finish this for you,” he said running a hand down her rigid spine.

“I—”

“I am to be married to Miss Spencer, Miss Beasley,” he said before Evie could continue. “She is to be my wife,” he added, just to make sure the woman understood. “If anyone threatens or harms her again, there will be consequences for those involved.”

“My lord—”

“Consequences that neither you nor your mother will enjoy.”

Miss Beasley gulped so loudly they all heard it.

“Do you understand that from this day forth, everyone will show my fiancée and her family the utmost respect?” Anthony had kept his voice calm, as if they were simply chatting, but his meaning was clear to everyone in this small gathering.

“Evie?”

“Carry on with your walk, Prue, all is well,” Evie said, keeping her eyes on Miss Beasley. “I’ve done nothing to you. Why would you want to harm me?” she added.

“You are engaged to me,” Anthony said. “And that is enough. Isn’t that right, Miss Beasley?”

The woman was puce with embarrassment now. She’d not expected Anthony to come to Evie’s aid. She’d thought to drive a wedge between them. Little did she know their engagement was not real.

“A word of advice before you leave us, Miss Beasley. Stay well clear of Lord Cavendish and his friends. If you think I am dangerous, they are doubly so.”

Her mouth fell open at Anthony’s words. She then turned and fled with her friends on her heels.

“Well,” Evie said, exhaling the word in a loud breath.

“Exactly. Let’s walk behind your sister and Landon.”

“A distance behind,” she muttered.

“Pardon?” He picked up her hand and lowered it to his arm, seeing as she hadn’t put it there already.

“Nothing.”

That single word had conveyed her need for him to ask no further questions and to put distance between them. As someone who had lived his adult life doing just that, he allowed her the quiet she wished for as he looked at the paintings.

“I like that one.” He pointed to a landscape minutes later. It was of the scene before them, a small glimmer of water in the distance. Carriages and horses on the road, and people promenading.

“I like that one better.” She pointed to the right where a man was painting a night sky with very little color.

“Because it mirrors your current mood?”

“My mood is fine, thank you,” she snapped.

“Perhaps one of these will help sweeten your sour countenance.” He held out a barley sugar. She took it with a muttered thank you and popped it in her mouth.

He let her have her silence as he listened to her sucking on the sweet. Visions of them in bed together with that mouth on him had his barley sugar wedging in the back of his throat. Anthony coughed several times to dislodge it.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes,” he rasped.

“Suck it slowly and it will not shoot to the back of your mouth.”

“Thank you. As you can imagine, that had not occurred to me in the years since I’ve been eating them.”

“Sarcasm is a sign of a small mind,” she said haughtily.

“Yours must be minute then.” Her only response to that was a hiss of breath.

A loud yapping had them both turning to see Monty approaching at a sprint.

“Bloody dog,” he muttered.

“Whose bloody dog is he?” Evie dropped to her haunches right there in front of everyone looking, of which there were many after his chat with Miss Beasley and what happened last night. In fact, they seemed to be the center of attention in the park today.

Monty ran at her, dancing on his hind legs, licking her face until Evie started giggling.

“Who does he belong to?” she asked.

“He is my aunts’ dog, Monty.” Anthony lifted her to her feet, ignoring the heat in his chest as he studied her. Her smile did not reach her eyes. They still looked sad.

“He’s lovely.”

“He’s a spoiled dog, but yes, he is a good boy. I brought him for them three years ago, and they dote on him.”

Anthony bent to stroke Monty, who immediately flopped on his back to have his belly rubbed.

“He is of course mannerless as you can see. It is not done to expose your belly in public like that, Monty.”

When he rose, she was giving him one of those unsettling looks that told Anthony she could read every thought in his head, but all she said was, “He’s lovely.”

“What’s wrong, Evie?” he said, because right then he would have done just about anything to make her happy again.