“I always believed you would be the last to wed among us, so you will allow us some surprise, that you, the man who conforms to no one and has taken a vow of licentious behavior, is now engaged,” Toby said.
“You make me sound degenerate,” Anthony snapped, even if the words his friends spoke were true.
“We know you are more than what you have led society to believe, Anthony,” Jamie said. “But you don’t trust easily after what happened to us, and it was my belief you would never allow a woman close enough to hurt you.”
“My wife does not need to be someone I will share my every thought and life with. Plenty don’t,” Anthony protested. “Many barely see each other.”
“All true, but I too believed you wouldn’t wed until you were nearing your last legs and had to produce an heir,” Toby added.
“In fact, you once told us you will wait until you are at least sixty but can still perform your marital duties to take a wife,” Jamie said.
His friends had excellent memories. Now was one of those times he wished they didn’t.
“It is done,” Anthony said with a finality many would heed and not question further.
“Things can be undone,” Jamie said, not one of those people. “And while I like Miss Spencer and find her an intelligent conversationalist, I also know that neither of you like each other.”
Anthony sighed. “I told her I wouldn’t tell anyone, just as she promised she would not.”
“But there is something smokey about this betrothal?” Toby added.
“Is she blackmailing you?” Jamie demanded.
That made Anthony bark out a laugh. “You think I would allow anyone to blackmail me?”
“No, but I can think of no other reason,” Jamie said.
“I found Miss Spencer in an awkward situation—”
“What awkward situation?” Toby asked.
“Do you need all the details?”
“Every last one,” Toby said.
“Not a word of this can leave this carriage.” They both nodded solemnly.
“She was dressed as a man gambling in Hugh’s. A Frenchman. I’d seen her…him before. Mr. Renee, she called herself.”
“I don’t know whether to be impressed or outraged,” Jamie said looking dazed.
“Did she really?” Toby whistled. “Why?”
“Money, of course. She was hardly gambling in disguise for the fun of it,” Anthony said.
“How did you know that Mr. Renee was Miss Spencer?” Jamie asked.
“I saw a birthmark on the back of her neck, and then there is the way she stands—”
“What way does she stand?” Jamie interrupted him.
“All her weight on her right leg, with the left foot sometimes resting on it.”
“I didn’t even know you were aware of Miss Spencer, and yet clearly you’ve been watching her,” Toby said.
“No. As you already know, I saved her in the street one day when a horse would have knocked her to the ground. I turned back after I walked away to check all was well and she was standing like that,” Anthony said.
“Still—”
