“I doubt either of us wanted it.”
He did not reply to that for a long while.
“Anthony is my oldest and closest friend besides Lord Stafford. He is also one of the best men I know. Don’t believe what you see or hear about him in society, Miss Spencer. Not all of it is true.”
Why had he just told her that?
“His aunts seem lovely,” Evie said, unsure what else to say.
“They are wonderful ladies, and we have a lot to thank them for,” Lord Corbyn said.
“Were you all childhood friends, my lord?”
“We have been friends from a young age, yes. We became so at school.”
“I would like to have had an education, other than what I learned from my mother and books,” she said.
“I’m sure your education was a great deal more fun than ours, Miss Spencer.” His eyes were on the painting above them, but she knew he wasn’t seeing the austere-looking gentleman.
“Lord Corbyn.” She patted his hand, needing to ease the sudden tension in him. “I’m sorry if your school life was not what it should have been.”
He looked down at her and she saw a flash of pain, and then it was gone.
“It was hell,” he said quietly. “But that is in the past, and now I am to dance with the lovely Lady Barlow. Come, I will take you back to your sister.”
“I will stay, my lord, and wander. I rather enjoy studying all the austere-looking ancestors.”
“Thank you for walking with me, Miss Spencer. I enjoyed our talk.”
“As did I, Lord Corbyn.”
She watched him walk away from her, thinking the entire conversation unusual. Why had he said that Anthony was one of the best men he knew? It was not like she had a future with the man.
Evie wandered, nodded to people, but did not stop. If she kept moving, no one would question her about her sudden engagement and the reasons behind it.
“Do take a look at the stars, Miss Spencer, they are really something this evening.”
“Thank you, I will, Lady Beasley,” Evie said, surprised the woman was talking to her, considering she wanted her daughter to be the next Countess of Hamilton.
“And do accept my congratulations on your engagement,” Lady Beasley added with a smile.
“Thank you.” Stunned at the woman’s change of heart, Evie felt the least she could do was look at the stars. Stepping through the open doors, she walked to the edge of the balcony. The air was cool and held the scents of London.
“Oh, Miss Spencer. Do help me!”
Looking around for who was calling her Evie glanced over the railing, and found Miss Beasley below, wringing her hands.
“What is wrong, Miss Beasley?” Evie started down the stairs to her right.
“A man, he has fallen, and I fear broken his leg. You must help.”
“I will get help,” Evie said reaching her.
“Oh please, just come, he is groaning in agony. It is that way. I can’t stand the sight of blood, and his head is bleeding. I shall get help.”
“Very well.” Evie picked up her skirts and ran down the path. Torches lit the way, but it grew darker the farther she ventured. Looking around her, she saw no sign of an injured man.
Stopping when she reached a small opening with seats, she heard someone moaning to her right. Stepping from the path she hurried in that direction. The man was bent at the waist, with his back to her.
