Anne’s face darkened a shade as I met her gaze. If any of the guests had failed to notice our fake courtship by now, they were no longer in the dark. Lady Tottenham had just held a candle to our attachment, lighting it up for all to see.
When the ladies removed to the drawing room, I remained with the men at the table for port. Between the seven of us, Mr. Barnwall always drank the most, followed closely by Lord Kirkham. I typically enjoyed half a glass. I hadn’t managed to befriend any of the men of the party yet, and I wasn’t certain I wanted to. Of the six options, Mr. Amesbury seemed to be the most agreeable. He sipped slowly on his port, pale eyebrows peeking out over the cup. Mr. Hatcher, with his walnut brown hair and ready smile, reminded me a little of Miles. He was amiable enough, but a little too arrogant to make his company enjoyable.
Lord Kirkham’s beady eyes lingered on my face as he finished his second glass. He had hardly said a word all evening. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “I see you have taken a liking to Lady Daventry.”
My cup rested against the table, but my fingers still gripped it tightly. “I have.”
“All the ladies here seem to have taken a liking to you.” His square jaw clenched. “You could have your choice of any of them, at least for the duration of the party. You might play with one or two while you can, and marry the one with the largest dowry when the party is over.”
Mr. St. Vincent and Mr. Barnwall laughed.
I didn’t flinch. “I don’t treat women in such a vile way, nor do I treat love like a game.”
“Lady Daventry is handsome, but she isn’t as young or as pretty as Miss Colborne,” Mr. St. Vincent said with a scoff. “I’ve heard rumors that the late Baron of Daventry’s land isn’t profitable at all. To be so attached to a penniless widow approaching the age of thirty….you must be toying with her.”
“Yes,” Lord Kirkham said, gulping down another cup of port. “Surely you are hoarding all the women here for your own pleasure. Give up Lady Daventry to man who is better for her age. You may take one of the Colborne sisters.”
“I did find her efforts with the crickets rather attractive,” Mr. Hatcher mused, tracing the rim of his cup with one finger. “She is a determined one, to be sure.”
Lord Kirkham sat up taller, flashing his chipped teeth. “Well, I’m the only one she chose to kiss during the game the first night of the house party.”
“I would fight you for Lady Daventry,” Mr. Barnwall said with a nudge in Lord Kirkham’s direction. “As a widow, she has experience being married, so I would expect her to grow accustomed to the role quickly and adapt to motherhood with ease. She would make a fine wife.”
A surge of anger prickled in my chest. I filled my lungs with a deep breath, but it didn’t help. I drained my glass, my neck growing hot with irritation.
Mr. Hatcher grinned. “You might stop by her chambers tonight to see just how fine of a wife she would make.”
Mr. Barnwall gave a deep laugh. “I think I will. A woman like her must be rather desperate.”
I slammed my glass down on the table. I stood, straightening my jacket. “If you do so, I will ensure that you leave Birch House with teeth like Lord Kirkham’s.”
Mr. Barnwall stood, face red with anger.
Lord Kirkham glared at me. “Don’t pretend you haven’t been plotting to take advantage of her desperation. You can’t fool us.”
“My intentions are honorable,” I said. “I hope to marry her.”
Lord Kirkham grunted.
Mr. Hatcher tipped his head back with a laugh. “Is that so?”
I set down my glass and stood, starting toward the door. I couldn’t endure another second at the table. It took all my self control not to burst into the drawing room. I steadied the anger coursing through me and opened the door without startling the women inside.
I found Anne sitting with an open book in her lap. Mrs. Pike played a lively tune on the pianoforte.
“Are you all right?” Anne asked as I sat beside her, apparently sensing my frustration.
I met her worried gaze. “I broke one of your rules.”
She snapped the book closed. “Which one?”
My jaw tightened. “I told the men that I plan to marry you.”
“What?” Her voice came out louder than I expected. She rotated to face me. “Why would you do that?” she whispered.
I took several deep breaths. “I had to say it. They doubted my intentions, and they made theirs perfectly clear.” My jaw tensed. I rubbed one side of it. “Do you lock your door every night?”
Her eyes rounded. “Yes, of course.”
