A surge of anger flooded my chest. “You may ask Anne about her financial state yourself. Unlike you, she is honest. She believes you truly care for her. If that isn’t true, you need to tell her. I won’t break her heart for you, but Iwillendeavor to make it whole again.”
Realization dawned in his features. “You care for her.” He tipped his head back with a laugh. “That’s even more motivation for you to lie to me. You know she would never chooseyouover me.” His sneer pushed my composure over the edge. “Did she already reject you?”
I threw my fist into his nose.
He staggered back, holding his face. He lunged forward without warning, striking me in the cheekbone, then my mouth. I punched blindly at his face, making contact with his jaw. I grabbed his collar, throwing him back until he tripped against a passing gentleman. The gasps of the people on the street brought me back to my senses. I tasted blood in my mouth, and my face throbbed with pain. Miles wiped blood from beneath his nose, his eyes wild with shock.
I had never hit him in my life, but he had never deserved it more. I had wanted to fight him for years, so I felt nothing but satisfaction at the surprise in his expression.
I backed away, eager to escape the onlookers. Our public fight could make the London gossip papers if I wasn’t careful. It might have been too late, but I didn’t care. I would cherish that moment for the rest of my life. Standing up to Miles and defending Anne all in the same instant was an incomparable victory.
I didn’t stop walking for at least ten minutes, making my way as far from Miles as possible. I couldn’t visit the banker with blood on my face. I needed to go back to Birch House and warn Anne, but I didn’t know how. Was it better if she didn’t know Miles was already back in London? It would drive me mad to see her waiting even a second longer for Miles.
I could already feel the swelling on my cheekbone. Knowing I might have broken Miles’ nose was my only consolation.
I sat in the coach on the way back to Birch House, debating what to say to Anne when I returned. Ultimately, it would be best if she didn’t know Miles was back in London—at least not yet. I would keep it a secret as long as necessary. I needed time to decide what to do. Miles owed Anne an explanation, though I doubted he would give her that.
He had never been one to pay what he owed.
CHAPTER 22
ANNE
My blue embroidery threads formed a knot so large I didn’t even try to untangle it. I stabbed the needle through the fabric and set the hoop aside, picking up my teacup instead. My stomach had been in an even greater knot since breakfast.
I could hardly sit still, a heavy sense of dread hovering over me like a storm cloud. Lady Tottenham was still keeping to her room, but the rumors about the gentlemen who had been sent home were still circling the drawing room.
“I can understand why Lord Kirkham, Mr. St. Vincent, and Mr. Barnwall were sent away,” Victoria said as she worked on her own embroidery across from me. “All three of them are complete boors. They must have broken one of Lady Tottenham’s rules. But it astonishes me that Mr. Holland would be banished from the house. Lady Tottenham seemed to favor him greatly.” Her eyes slid in my direction. “I cannot understand why she would interrupt your courtship.”
I glanced out the window. A fresh wave of confusion and disappointment made my heart sting. Mr. Lymington, Mr. Hatcher, and Mr. Amesbury rode horses on the back lawn while Mrs. Pike and Octavia watched them at a nearby table. Besides those five, all that remained of the party were Victoria and myself. “I don’t understand it either,” I muttered before taking a gulp of tea. My throat burned.
A slew of questions had been racing through my mind all morning. Had Alexander been blamed for burning the rabbit? Or had he been discovered in the hexagon room with me and sent away for reasons of impropriety? That didn’t seem likely, but I could think of no other explanation. He had disappeared so suddenly, just like the other three men. Just like Mrs. Fitzgibbon and her cousins. I hadn’t even had the chance to say goodbye, and with Lady Tottenham ill in her room, I couldn’t even ask for an explanation.
Ishould have been the one sent away.
The only reason Alexander had gone to the hexagon room had been to help me.
I thought of how my stomach had ached from laughter the night before, and now it ached with dread. Without Alexander at the house, the days would be long and dreary.
A pang of longing struck me squarely in the chest. I scratched at my collarbone, trying to make the feeling go away, but it only grew stronger. I already missed him.
Victoria reached forward and placed a gentle hand on my knee, pulling me from my thoughts. “Remember, this is only a house party. A strange one, yes, but you will see Mr. Holland again when it is over.” She gave a soft smile. “He will find you.”
I nodded, though I wasn’t as certain as Victoria. Once I was reunited with Miles, everything would change. If the two brothers never reconciled, then I might never be allowed to be Alexander’s friend again. My chest felt hollow as I took a deep breath. “You’re right. Thank you, Victoria.”
She set her embroidery down on the table before stretching her back. “Now I am going to venture outside for a walk. Would you like to join me?”
What I truly wanted was to be alone. I had far too many emotions and thoughts to sort through. I shook my head. “I’m afraid I lack the energy today.” I gave a rueful smile.
“That is quite all right.” She made her way to the door, waving her lace-gloved hand. “I hope to find your spirits improved when I return.”
I waved, keeping my posture straight until she disappeared into the corridor. The moment she was gone, I slumped my back against the settee. After my victory of finding the key the night before, I would have expected to carry that triumphant feeling with me for days. Instead, I felt utterly defeated. Tears stung the back of my eyes. I never would have thought my friendship with Alexander would leave behind such a void, but I was drowning in it. My neck heated with anger at Lady Tottenham. Why on earth would she send him away? It didn’t make sense.
I stood up in one determined motion. There was no use in wasting the day. Even if Alexander was gone—especially if he was gone—I needed to finish Lady Tottenham’s game. He might have been sent away because he had helped me find the key. I couldn’t waste the opportunity to finish solving the riddle. There was nothing on the schedule for the day, so I had all the time I needed to search for the final pieces of the puzzle.
There was nothing I could do to find out where Alexander was until Lady Tottenham returned to the party. The one thing I could control was my effort to win the game. With all the other guests outside, I would have the freedom to roam and search the house. It was the perfect opportunity.
I hurried to my bedchamber to retrieve the tiny gold key before taking the stairs to the second floor. It was unlikely that Lady Tottenham would place multiple clues in the same room, so I began my search in the study.
