“Matches are made all the time between people who feel nothing for each other. No one will question us on the matter.”
“You mean no one will question you,” she said.
“If anyone is rude to you in any way, then I expect you to talk to me on the matter.”
“Very well, and it is likely I will have more questions.”
“I would expect nothing less from you,” he said solemnly.
She frowned. “Are you laughing at me?”
“I don’t laugh, Miss Spencer.”
“What, never?”
He didn’t answer that.
She huffed out a small breath, looking like a disgruntled child.
“We will go driving in the park tomorrow, and then I will take you to the theatre, along with your father and sister, the following evening.”
“I accept your gracious offer, Lord Hamilton.” Her face looked like she’d sucked on a lemon.
“You will not like this either, Evangeline, but to make this work, I believe you need to keep what we are doing a secret from your family.”
“I don’t keep things from my sister.”
“People will be watching you and your family, Evangeline. To make this work, we need them to believe us. Your sister’s reaction will be important. If she, like the others, believe we have—”
“If you say fallen in love, she will definitely not believe that. We have barely spoken two words to each other, and those were angry ones. My sister is nobody’s fool, my lord.”
“I am aware of that, but you could tell her that you and I talked at the Bailey ball, and I apologized, as did you, for the way we had spoken to each other.”
“I’ve always disliked apologizing.”
“It’s not something I enjoy,” Anthony said. “For now, we keep this between us.”
“And you will not tell your friends?”
“I fear they will know something is off, as I have vowed often I am not ready for marriage.”
“My sister knows me better than anyone.”
“Then we shall cross those bridges if they arise,” Anthony said. “But for now we will not disclose our engagement and simply appear as if we are getting to know each other.”
She nodded, seeming happy with that.
“Do you need money to buy dresses?” Had he slapped her, the effect would have been the same. Angry color filled her cheeks, and her mouth opened and closed several times before she spoke.
“We are not a charity case, my lord.” She then rose to her feet. “Good day to you.”
Anthony watched as she snatched the last fruit bun off the plate before him and walked from the teashop. He did not start laughing until the door was closed.
Chapter Seventeen
Evie slapped Prue’shands aside as she attempted to pinch some color into her cheeks.
“Is there a need to pinch so hard?”
