“Yes.” He gave an emphatic nod. “You would have never suited the life of a vicar.”
I glanced heavenward, my hands fisting at my sides. Miles didn’t know how fortunate he was that we were in public. A group of passersby seemed to sense the tension between us. One woman whispered behind her glove to her companion. I stepped into the shade of the nearby shop, hoping it would cool the anger that boiled under my skin.
“I’m surprised to find you in London,” Miles said as he stepped up beside me. “I thought your best success was in York.”
“It is.” I kicked at a twig on the cobblestones. “I came here to reclaim the money you stole.”
Miles smiled, his gaze lingering on a group of young ladies as they passed with their chaperones. “I will repay you. I promise. A meager two-hundred pounds will be nothing but pocket coins for me soon enough.”
His arrogance hadn’t always been so apparent as it was now. He had no reason to hide it when there were no observers. “I presume the East India Company was profitable then?” I asked.
He bit the inside of his cheek, shaking his head. “Actually, it wasn’t. I was nearly arrested for a number of…fraudulent activities.” He waved a hand in front of him. “It’s no matter. I realized the life of a nabob isn’t for me. I lack the patience for it. There are faster ways to obtain a fortune, and I have plans underway.”
I frowned. “Plans? Do you have any money at all?”
“Yes.” He scowled. “Not to worry. I will ensure you are paid.”
I shook my head, cursing under my breath. I would never see that money. My family would never respect me, and Miles would win, just as he always had. The image of Anne running into his arms flashed through my mind, and a wave of frustration nearly knocked me to the ground. He wouldn’t greet her with the arrogant smile he wore now. He would fool her just as he had fooled so many others. Panic set into my bones. If he was scheming something, I needed to find out what it was.
“What are these ‘faster ways to obtain a fortune’?” I raised my brows. I was grateful for my extra inch of height as I stepped closer to him. “What are your plans?”
“Marriage.” He adjusted the buttons on his silver waistcoat. “I have made arrangements with a widowed baroness. Her late husband had a great deal of land, of which she still shares in the profits.”
I glared at him, my jaw tight. “Anne Dixon?”
His eyes widened. “I didn’t think you would remember her.”
“She is rather unforgettable.”
Miles stared at me in confusion for several seconds. “At any rate…there is an understanding between us. I suspect her widowhood has provided her with enough money to live comfortably on. She is a sweet girl, and I am quite fond of her. It would be an agreeable match, to be sure.” For a moment, his smile appeared genuine. “If not Anne, I’m certain there are plenty of young ladies with dowries who will be joining the upcoming Season.”
I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to steady my breathing. How had a disgusting, fortune-hunting scoundrel like my brother managed to steal Anne’s heart? He couldn’t even begin to deserve her.
“Are you all right?” Miles’s teasing tone grated over my skin. “You could do the same, you know. If you spent less time fixating on the two-hundred pounds, you might be able to focus your attention instead on a beneficial courtship.”
I stared at the cobblestones, no longer able to look at his face. It took all I had not to grab him by the neck. If he knew Anne’s loyalty, if he had taken a moment to try to understand her heart, he would see that she was worth more than any sum of money. As I had always suspected, he had left her for the chance to go to India without any qualms. When he was unsuccessful, he had convinced her of his devotion through letters to ensure she would wait for him. Once he learned of her destitution, he would surely break her heart. How could someone be so cruel?
I had promised myself I would protect Anne from him. Telling him the truth, and preventing her hopes from escalating further, seemed the best way to do that.
I took a deep breath. “I have become acquainted with Anne during my time in London,” I said, looking up from the ground.
Miles reared back in surprise. “How?”
“We have both been guests at a house party hosted by Lady Tottenham at Birch House. I happen to know that Anne’s financial state is not what you think. The baron’s land has stopped producing. She is destitute.”
Miles’s face fell.
“If it is your love for her that motivates you, I invite you to honor your proposal.” My gaze was hard. “If not, I invite you to leave her alone. Break your ties to her. You have hurt her enough.”
Miles exhaled slowly. “That is unfortunate news.” He scowled, raking a hand over his hair. He was silent for several seconds. “I have certainly led her to expect an engagement between us.”
“Will you keep your word?” I was confident in his answer, but I wanted to hear him admit his folly.
He sighed. “If her situation is as dire as you say, then I cannot. I do feel terrible that she has been awaiting my return, but I have no choice but to pursue a woman with an income or dowry. I did love her once, but we were very young. It was never going to last.” His remorse only skimmed the surface of his expression. He met my gaze. “Would you be willing to convey the news to her?”
I scoffed with disbelief. “You cannot be serious. Anne won’t take my word for it. She deserves to see your true character so she can understand how little she has truly lost.”
Miles’s expression darkened. “How do I know you speak the truth about her financial situation? You could lying in an attempt to ruin my plans.”
