“I can’t imagine how you would have, since you have not been a part of my life for the past six years.”Lizzie’s normally expressive features were set into a blandly polite facsimile, but he could see the tightness in the lines around her eyes.Damn it, they shouldn’t have come.
Lady Rollinsford’s expression briefly showed a flash of pain.She smoothed a hand down her gown.“Actually, I rather like your paper.I am a subscriber.”
He felt a tiny jolt of surprise run through Lizzie, and he gave her waist another small squeeze.
“I invited you tonight because I received a request from a gentleman of my acquaintance for an introduction.It seems he became quite enamored of you at Lady Cheltenham’s ball.”She waved her hand at Matthew.“But that is moot, if you are already engaged to be married.”
Matthew’s stomach dropped at the mention of the Cheltenham party; the night he had followed his brother.He glanced around the crowded room, but didn’t see him anywhere.No, it couldn’t be him.
“Please excuse me.I see new guests have just arrived.Mr.Reeves, please have a drink.The refreshment table is over on the far wall.”Lady Rollinsford walked away with a bright smile aimed at a couple who had just entered the room.
Lizzie’s posture deflated as her grandmother walked away.He studied her face.“I think we could both use a drink.I hope she has brandy.”
“I will wait for you here.I haven’t the slightest inclination to make small talk with anyone.I prefer to be an observer.”
“I’ll be right back.”He weaved his way through the room.Some curious looks were sent his way, but he paid them no mind.His girl needed a drink to settle her nerves.At the refreshment table, he ordered two snifters of brandy.As he turned, a glass in each hand, he saw his brother across the room.Jonas stood with two other men by the windows.He was impeccably dressed in all black, except for a blood-red cravat and waistcoat.His black hair was slicked back with pomade.Matthew’s reaction was, as usual, a terrible, gut-tightening unease.
But tonight, he paused to study his brother.As children, Jonas had always seemed larger than life.As the older brother, he had been bigger physically, but more so, it had been his cruel personality that had been so intimidating.Now, as Matthew really looked at him, he saw that Jonas had not aged well.He was soft around the middle.His face was puffy and bloated, probably from excessive drink.This was a man who had spent his life in the lap of luxury, never having to fight to survive, and it showed.Matthew might be the younger brother, but he was certainly no longer the weaker one.And he was done hiding.Jonas could go to fucking hell.
Jonas sipped from his drink.Matthew saw the moment he noticed Lizzie.His brother’s expression turned absolutely predatory.Jonas turned to the man next to him and excused himself.Then he started for where Lizzie stood by herself.Oh, hell no.Matthew pushed through groups of people to take the most direct route to his girl.When he arrived next to her, Jonas was mid-sentence.
“—I hoped you would wear the green dress.”
“Pardon?”Lizzie recoiled.“Are we acquainted?”
Matthew handed her the brandy glass and then snaked his arm around her waist to pull her snug against his side.“No, you are not acquainted.Allow me to introduce the Viscount Griffen.”
Lizzie stiffened next to him.Then she took a long swallow from her glass.
Jonas’s gaze narrowed on the hand he had at her waist and then snapped up to his face.A flare of recognition widened his brother’s eyes.“Matthew?”He glanced between the two of them.
Matthew nodded.“Let me introduce my fiancée, Miss Elizabeth Harper.”
His brother’s expression darkened.His eyes narrowed; his jaw clenched.“It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Miss Harper.”He reached for her free hand.
But Matthew was quicker and pulled her behind him.“I won’t ever let you touch her, you bastard,” he snarled.
Jonas flinched and took a step back.
Lady Rollinsford appeared at his elbow.“Lord Griffen, I see you are finally getting an introduction to my granddaughter.”
Smoothing his lapels, Jonas’s smile was saccharine.“Yes.Unfortunately, it has also turned into an unexpected reunion with my younger brother.”
Lady Rollinsford’s head swept up to stare at him.“The missing spare, Lord Perrin?”
Matthew shook his head.“No, I ain’t no toff.I am Matthew Reeves, nephew to businessman and theater owner, Harry Reeves.I run the Blue Angel, a gaming establishment and theater.And I am the soon-to-be husband to Elizabeth Harper and father to Robert Harper.This is who I am.”
Lizzie squeezed his hand.He stared down into the emerald depths of her eyes as they shone with soft emotion, and something inside his chest shifted.A sense of rightness slid into place.
“Grandmother, please excuse us,” Lizzie said.Her gaze stayed fastened on him.“I don’t think we will stay for dinner.”
He nodded, and with her hand still grasped in his, he turned and led her from the room.In the front hall, he asked the footman at the door to send around for his carriage.He was helping her into her wrap when his brother appeared across the foyer.
“Has Stella been hiding with you?”he called out.
Matthew strode across the black-and-white marble floor.He leaned into Jonas’s space.“We are not hiding anymore.We know what you have done.And mark my words, you’ll pay for your sins.”
Chapter Thirty-One
