“She followed me about the house, constantly firing questions at me until I broke down and told her. People think she is the amiable Spencer, which let me assure you is not true. She’s as tenacious as a fox on a hunt when required.”
“She is just able to hide it better than you. I have a sister with a temperament like yours.”
“She must be wonderful then.”
“She is.”
“Is she not in society?” Evie had a feeling he did not like to talk about the people closest to him.
“No, she lives in the country with her husband.”
His words were cooler now, and were she anyone else, she would heed the warning that this was not a subject he wanted to pursue.
“Are you close?”
“I have no wish to discuss anything personal with you. This is a business arrangement. Please respect that.”
The man who had teased her just moments before was gone again. The ruthless earl was back.
“Of course. Thank you for the dance,” Evie said as the music finished. He led her back to where Prue now stood and then left with a curt bow. Before she could speak to her sister, Lord Pyne had whisked her away to dance.
“Hello, has your fiancé wandered off already?”
Evie smiled at Lord Corbyn, whom she knew was Anthony’s friend.
“So it would seem, my lord.”
“Would you like to dance or walk about the room pretending to be interested in the exquisite decor and well-dressed guests?”
“I would like to walk, thank you.”
He held out his arm, and she placed her fingers on it.
“I believe there is a gallery through that door. We could view the somber ancestors if you like?” Evie nodded.
The room had plenty of people wandering about but was not as crowded as the ballroom. True to Lord Corbyn’s word, there were indeed many somber-looking ancestors staring down at them.
“Why do you believe no one is allowed to smile in a portrait?” Evie asked.
“I believe a smile is harder to hold for long periods,” he said.
“Which makes sense had I given it more thought.”
He laughed. “Sometimes we need others to point out what we don’t know.”
“I’m afraid one of my weaknesses is my need to know everything,” Evie said.
“If that is the case, then I can only imagine the arguments you have already had with Anthony.”
This time Evie laughed. “I know that you know, my lord.”
“I thought you might.”
“The original idea was Lord Hamilton’s, and I foolishly expedited matters in the park,” she said.
“I know the details and lay no blame at either of your doors. Circumstances forced you into the betrothal. Plus, my friend does nothing he hasn’t thoroughly thought through first. So, his betrothal to you was something he wanted.”
Evie felt a small jolt of pleasure at that and squashed it. Lord Hamilton felt nothing for her, as she did for him. This was merely a business arrangement.
