“Of course, and thank you again.”
She’d become Evie to him and he Anthony to her in the last few minutes, and he could think of her no other way now.
He led her to the stairs, nodding to the few guests who looked their way as they climbed. She took a deep breath before they entered the ballroom. Soon they were moving through the guests until they found Prudence Spencer.
“Evie.”
“I am well, Prue. Lord Hamilton and I went for a walk in the gardens. I am sorry I did not tell you, but you were dancing.”
Prudence’s eyes shot from her sister to Anthony’s.
“And now, I am to dance with my lovely fiancée again,” Anthony said.
“And I will dance with her equally lovely sister,” Jamie said, appearing.
They moved to the floor, and he placed Evie in a line across from him. Two dancers to her left was Miss Beasley, who was frowning as she noted who Anthony’s partner was. He gave hera hard look that had color filling her cheeks. She quickly turned away.
As the music began, he met Evie in the middle, and she managed a smile.
“Good girl,” Anthony said as he retreated.
Through the dance she smiled, as did he, and he watched Miss Beasley’s frown darken. Toby stood to the side of the dance floor, watching them. When their eyes met, he shook his head, which told Anthony that Cavendish and Calthorpe had not returned.
But he had a feeling this wasn’t over, even after he’d threatened both men. Cavendish was vindictive and held grudges. It worried him he’d come after Evie and her family.
When the music finished, Anthony knew he should dance with others, as should Evie if they were to mislead the gossips. He led her back to where Toby stood.
“Come, Miss Spencer, I believe this is our dance,” his friend said.
He danced with others, as did she, and by the end of the evening, they had squashed any rumors, which was helped by the fact Cavendish and Calthorpe had not reappeared.
“Splendid night,” Heathcliff Spencer said, totally unaware of what his eldest daughter had suffered earlier. One look at Evie’s face told Anthony not to mention it.
“I will call on you tomorrow,” he said helping her into the carriage. She didn’t answer, simply nodded, and he closed the door.
He stood watching it roll away and wondered what the hell he was to do now.
“I think I need a drink,” Toby said, joining him. “And then we need to discuss how to keep your fiancée and her family safe.”
“Because while you may have terrified Calthorpe into silence, we both know Cavendish is a tougher nut to crack,” Jamieadded. “Your fiancée is in danger, Anthony. You have to know that.”
He did, and suddenly the engagement he’d thought was an excellent scheme for both him and Evie wasn’t, and he was now faced with the fact she was in danger, and it was up to him to keep her safe.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Evie had sleptfitfully and risen with smudges under her eyes and in a vile humor, which boded well for no one in the Spencer household.
“If you snap at me one more time, Evangeline, I will not be responsible for my actions,” Prue hissed at her from across the small table where they ate their morning meal.
Their father was humming at the end while drinking his tea and reading the paper, as usual oblivious to undercurrents… or anything, if she were honest.
Oh, to be that way,Evie thought with a healthy dose of annoyance.It must be lovely to be oblivious to everything going on around you.
“Would you not be a little out of sorts, were you in my position, Prudence?”
“Yes, but I am not the enemy. I am your sister, for better or worse,” she muttered.
Evie poked out her tongue.
