Stroking Monty’s soft ear, he watched his aunts order his butler around. It was like being buffeted by a gentle breeze when they arrived. But Anthony would allow these three women to do whatever they wanted within the safety of his home.
He remembered the day they’d saved him as if it was yesterday. Two years after he arrived at Blackwood Hall, hisaunts had called to see him. Anthony had been told to dress well and say nothing by the Housemaster. He’d done the first, but not the second.
They’d taken him for a drive while forcing the food they’d brought with them into his hand. He’d broken down. Lost control and wept. They’d demanded to know why, and Anthony had shown them exactly what he was regularly subjected to. He’d exposed the welts, bruises, and marks on his body.
It was rare he saw anger on his aunts’ faces, but he saw it that day. The carriage had turned around and returned to Blackwood Hall. Aunts Petunia and Lavinia had then left him with Aunt Aggie and stormed the walls of Blackwood Hall. They had never told him exactly what was said, but from that day onward, the lives of Anthony, Toby, and Jamie had changed for the better. It had not all been easy, but they no longer woke each day terrified for what they’d have to endure.
If they’d done nothing else for him, they’d have his eternal gratitude for that alone, but they’d been a constant source of love and affection in both his and Harriet’s lives.
“Now, when is the wedding to be?” Aunt Aggie asked.
“We have not discussed that as yet,” Anthony said, feeding the dog some ham.
“Not at the table please, Anthony,” Aunt Petunia said as she did every time he fed Monty.
He would need to tread carefully with these three. They could sniff out a lie at ten paces.
“We want to meet her,” Aunt Aggie said.
“I thought you already had, which is why she was on the list?” Anthony said.
“Yes, but just in a social situation,” Aunt Petunia replied.
“You put a name on the list, and you did not even know the character of the woman? Shame on you,” he said, teasing her. “All of you,” he said.
“Oh, pooh to that. Now hurry it along. We are going to the exhibition and for a jaunt around the park, as we have the open carriage, and you are coming with us. I want all the details of your betrothal.”
“Am I?”
“Yes, I want to hear everything,” Aunt Aggie said.
“And if I say no, you will all harangue me until I agree?” Anthony asked.
“Exactly. Finally, you are learning,” Aunt Aggie said smiling. “But the art will be lovely to see.”
“You do know most people fear me, don’t you?” he drawled.
“Yes, but not us.”
They left forty minutes later, Anthony next to Aunt Lavinia and the other two seated across from him with Monty.
“You will be married in St. George’s, of course,” Aunt Aggie said.
“Of course,” Anthony agreed, because there would be no wedding, so he would simply agree with what they wanted.
He wondered how Evie was this morning. Cavendish had scared her, and then she punched and kneed him in the groin. He’d been proud of her for that. At least he knew she could disarm a man if need be.
But not one who grabbed her from behind.
“Do you care for her, Anthony?” Aunt Lavinia asked.
“That will come, Lavinia. There is no need for any of that yet. As long as there is respect the rest will happen,” Aunt Petunia said.
“But he is our boy, and I want him to be happy,” Aunt Lavinia added with an uncharacteristic snap to her words.
“I will be happy,” he said squeezing her hand. “Have no fear.”
She smiled and nodded, pleased with his response. “Because you deserve that, my boy, considering you have not been for so long.”
