“There is no still about it,” Anthony said. “This is convenience for both of us. The Spencers have no money, and one of the daughters needs to marry. Cavendish has decided that Evangeline will be his future wife, and she has no wish to be so, but will find it hard to refuse if he persists.”
“No woman should have to wed that man,” Toby said, now angry.
“Exactly.”
“Evangeline?” Jamie asked.
“If we are to carry this off, we must at least look like we are familiar with each other,” Anthony said.
“I understand why she needs a fake fiancé, but not you,” Toby said.
“Your aunts,” Jamie said before Anthony could speak. “This will put them off hounding you to marry.”
“Exactly.
“But why the rush? Surely just showing interest in Miss Spencer for now was enough?” Toby asked.
He explained about the walk in the park and Cavendish’s outrage seeing them together.
“I loathe that man, and Calthorpe,” Jamie said.
“Amen,” both Toby and Anthony added.
“But what about when it ends? You will be all right, but not Miss Spencer,” Toby said.
“We are hoping that with her engagement to me, then more gentlemen will approach her sister. If she contracts a good match, Evangeline will retire to the country with her father.”
Why the thought of never seeing her again made his chest hurt, he wasn’t sure, but Anthony knew one thing, he didn’t like it.
“What if no match is contracted and you have taken Miss Spencer off the market when she could have married well?” Toby asked.
“It is done,” Anthony said. “We cannot go back. When the season ends, she will leave London and declare she no longer wishes to marry me.”
Toby made a scoffing sound. “Do you seriously believe anyone will think that the truth?”
“You are an earl, Anthony, for all you are one who cares little for convention,” Jamie said. “She is a nobody and is not popular. She’s too old, and her looks—”
“She is intelligent and beautiful,” Anthony snapped. He realized his mistake when both men looked at him in silence. “What?”
“You are defending her.”
“We have talked, she is not as irritating as I once believed.”
Toby smiled.
“Why are you looking like that?” Anthony demanded.
“No reason at all, and Miss Spencer is a very nice woman. She will be good for you.”
“It is not a real engagement.” Anthony felt he needed to reiterate that point.
“Have you told your aunts? They will be ecstatic.”
“They are visiting friends for a few nights. I will speak with them upon their return tomorrow, if the news has not already reached them.”
Toby clapped his hands together. “Well then, I foresee far more excitement in the remainder of the season than we’ve had in years.”
“We, of course, will help you in any way we can,” Jamie said. “I’ve always enjoyed anything that sits society back on their heels, and I think tonight will be exactly that.”
