“You would do that?”
He sighed again. “I am not the complete monster some believe me to be, Evangeline, and I admire and respect you for what you are trying to do for your family. Do I think that charade as Renee was foolish and far too risky? Yes,” he said cutting her off as she opened her mouth. “But, if I help you, then you will be helping me.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Yes, would be an excellent start.” Anthony wasn’t sure why he wanted her agreement as much as he did.
“But you are a gentleman. Surely you do not invest?”
“You really do have a poor opinion of us, don’t you, Evangeline?”
She nodded, which made him bark out a laugh surprising both of them. Anthony rarely did anything in public but look cynical.
“I have a man of affairs who is exceedingly good with making money. I have been known to excel at it also.”
“But you gamble,” she said.
“Only what I can afford to lose.”
“Unlike Lord Beaton.”
“Yes, unlike him and others,” Anthony said.
Her head tilted to the side as she studied him, and suddenly he felt exposed, like she could see right down to the scared boy he’d once been.
“However, I doubt you have enough money, Miss Spencer, so I won’t make you any promises.” The words came out harsh.
“Of course.” Like him, her face changed and was suddenly empty of emotion.
Good. It was best this way. They would never be friends. This was business only.
“So do we have a deal for the remainder of the season? If I can make you money I will, but our engagement will deter Cavendish from pursuing you.”
“It seems underhanded.”
“You go out at night dressed as a Frenchman and fool everyone you see. I doubt it’s any more underhanded than that,” he said.
“I did what I must.”
That bloody chin rose again, challenging him. The problem was, women never did that, and he was finding it… what? Intriguing? Refreshing?
“If you wish for your sister to marry well, your connection with me would help with that,” Anthony added.
She was considering his offer; he could see that. Thinking through every angle in that fertile brain of hers.
“She has no dowry?”
“She doesn’t, no. We were hoping her nature and beauty would surpass the need for that.”
“Which is naïve,” Anthony said. “No man would overlook such a thing. Many need the money their future wives will bring with them.”
Her eyes shot sparks at him for daring to call her naïve.
“If I may speak plainly, Miss Spencer?”
“You weren’t?”
He wanted to laugh again but managed to swallow it down.
