“I was looking for your sister.”
“She’s, ah…” She looked around her as if her sister was hiding nearby. “Out.”
“So I understand. Do you know when she will return?”
“I’m afraid not. Evie is shopping.”
Evie.He’d only ever thought of her as Miss Spencer. It was odd how just a name changed her in his eyes. He could see her as a beloved sister and daughter now, even if she was excessively irritating.
“And you did not care to go?” he said attempting a genuine smile to put her at ease, because she was now wringing her hands, which was often the reaction his presence produced in innocent young woman. Not Evangeline, however. She’d never feared him.
Prudence Spencer shook her head.
“Do you know which direction she took?”
“I don’t know. Can I be of any help to you, Lord Hamilton?”
He studied her face. Was she aware of what happened last night? And that her sister masqueraded as a man to ensure her family had what they needed?
“I need to speak to your sister on a matter we discussed at the Bailey ball. She asked me about something, and I have the information she wanted. I would like to give it to her personally,” he lied.
And this, Anthony thought, was what happened when you got involved with someone you had no business being involved with. Questions were raised, and you told a lie so no one knew what you were about, and then you had to remember that lie. It was exhausting. He did not know how his aunts did it constantly.
It was simply best everyone feared you as they kept their distance.
“Hello, what’s going on here?”
Heathcliff Spencer appeared, a wide smile on his face, as always.
“Lord Hamilton, what has you calling at our humble abode?” Baron Spencer rarely spoke in a moderate tone; he boomed. “Are you visiting my dear Prudence, per chance?”
It annoyed Anthony that Miss Spencer’s father naturally thought his youngest daughter was why he had called.
“I have called to see Miss Spencer, my lord.”
“Have you really? Now that is a surprise don’t you think, Prudence?”
The daughter in question winced, and then her lips pursed in a tight line.
“You’ll have to come in and take tea with us, Hamilton. My eldest daughter has gone to Covent Garden. Apparently, she’s shopping for—”
“Yes, thank you, Father. I’m quite sure Lord Hamilton doesn’t need the details,” Prudence Spencer said cutting her father off.
“Thank you for the offer of tea, but I will have to decline, as I have an appointment. I shall call to see Miss Spencer another time.” Anthony then bowed and walked back out the gate.
The door shut with a definite snap, and he was quite sure that Prudence was now taking her father to task for nearly telling Anthony that Evie, as he would now think of her, was out shopping for the household supplies.
Climbing back on his horse, he headed toward Covent Garden. He and Evie had things to discuss, and they would do so today.
Chapter Fifteen
“Ifail tosee how two bruised potatoes could cost that exorbitant amount, sir.”
“Exorbitant!” Mr. Chester glared at her, but his eyes twinkled. “I’m insulted, Miss Spencer. Wounded down to my toes. My heart is bruised!”
“Perhaps if you throw in that misshapen turnip, I may be persuaded to purchase your bruised potatoes. But,” Evie held up a hand, “I think it exceedingly shabby you would try to foist them on me.”
She’d first come to the markets to purchase food for the household and other necessities with their cook/housekeeper. Evie had then taken her time getting to know several of the vendors. Mr. Chester was her favorite.
