If he thought it was all a bit rushed and odd, the baron never said so. He had instantly given Anthony his permission to wed his eldest daughter. They then joined Evangeline and her sister in the small parlor to celebrate.
“It’s all very quick,” Prudence said, handing him a cup of tea and a hard stare. “I mean, Evie never told me you two had even had a meaningful conversation, and we are close and share everything. Today you go driving in the park and now you’re engaged. You’ll forgive me if I struggle with what has happened.”
This Spencer was not quite as happy as her father, if the frown on her face was any indication.
“I have given my permission, Prudence,” her father said. “And what a wedding it shall be.”
The man reminded him of one of those long necked, bulbous vases his aunt Petunia favored. Large body, but very little substance from the neck up.
“We are happy,” Evie said and even to his ears it sounded forced. Anthony shot her a look, and she smiled. A full wide one that did not reach her eyes. “It is wonderful,” she added.
“I have never been this happy,” Anthony lied.
“It is as if I woke in the dark and now the sun has risen,” Evie said clearly to best him.
“Evangeline is what I have been waiting for my entire life,” he said solemnly. To ensure he got in the last word, he rose as she opened her mouth to spout another lie. “And now I must be off but will see you this evening at the Rothersham ball.”
Anthony bowed and headed for the door before she could stop him. However, he knew she would be on his heels.
“Prue is not convinced,” she said the minute they had stepped outside the door.
Anthony turned to look at her and noted that Prue’s face was pressed to the parlor window to their right.
“Perhaps this will do it.” He leaned in and kissed her before she could protest. Soft, he thought, and sweet. Anthony pulled back and looked into her dazed eyes.
“Behave yourself, and I will see you tonight.” He then walked to his carriage before she could speak, still clearly shocked over what he’d done.
He looked at her, raising a hand as the carriage rolled away, but she was still simply staring at him, stunned. Anthony knew exactly how she felt, because that simple kiss had left him reeling.
Chapter Nineteen
He’d sent wordto his friends that he would collect them for this evening’s ball, as they deserved to hear the engagement news from him. Toby was first. He climbed in and took the seat across from Anthony.
“Lord, I’m fatigued. I fenced with Jamie today, and the youngest Scuttlethorpe, who is far too energetic, but I could not let him win. Where did you go? We expected you to arrive.”
“I had business to attend to,” Anthony said. His friend went on to explain details of his fencing matches, and he was happy to let him, as his mind was on other things.
When they pulled up at Jamie’s house it did not take long for him to join them.
“Is there a particular reason you felt the need to have us both arrive at the Rothersham ball with you?” Jamie asked when the carriage started rolling again.
“I am engaged to be married to Miss Evangeline Spencer,” Anthony said. “I spoke to her father today and he has accepted.” He sat back and waited for the questions.
“What? Since when have you wanted to wed, and for that matter to her? Who, and correct me if I am wrong, you told me you found excessively irritating,” Toby said. He was frowning now.
“And that she would be the last woman you would marry,” Jamie added.
“We have talked lately and have common interests. This benefits us both.” Anthony kept his expression blank.
“No,” Toby said slowly. “There is more to this, and we want the reasons now, or no one is leaving this carriage.”
“What he said,” Jamie added, hard-faced. “All of it now, Anthony.”
It had been a faint hope at best that they’d believe him. They were his brothers in every way but blood. He could not get much by them.
“Can you not just say, congratulations, Anthony, I am extremely happy for you both?”
“No,” they both said together.
