In very little time, he’d pulled up to the stables and stepped down from the conveyance. Anthony met him and held the horses.
“Where’s Mr. Clancy?” His stableman was always waiting for him.
“Your mother has him setting up the coach for her. Something about one more visit to the village.”
“Of course. She always brings a gift for her aunt.”
Anthony’s eyes widened. “You have a great aunt?”
He chuckled as he removed his gloves. “I do. The women on my mother’s side of the family live forever. She only just lost her own mother last year. Would you mind getting a groom to stable the horses?”
“I’ll do it.” Anthony grinned. “I’ll take any excuse to stay out of the house.”
Immediately concerned, he frowned. His mother only tolerated Anthony because he requested that she be polite, but she could make things uncomfortable for the man. “My mother has not made you feel you need to leave, has she?”
“If you mean has she said something or in action made it known she no longer wishes me within sight? The answer is no. However, if you mean because the house has turned into a carnival of moving pieces and chatter? Then yes. I sought the solace of a few nickers and the calmness of your stable. I do believe I was in danger of being packed in a box and sent to London!” Anthony gave an exaggerated shiver before setting to relieving Legend of the harness.
“NowthatI completely understand.” He started for the house then halted. Though they had agreed not to tell their families, Anthony needed to know. “You did not ask the result of my visit.”
“No, I didn’t. It is not every day a peer must apologize to a lady. I thought it best not to inquire.” He led Legend toward his stall.
“Actually, we came to an agreement.”
Anthony closed Legend’s stall and came back toward him to unhook Lore. “Is it a beneficial agreement?”
He smirked. There was something about the way Anthony asked questions around the topic being discussed that reminded him he’d been a Bow Street Runner before joining the fight against Napoleon. He assumed Anthony was gentry from his manners, but he rarely talked about his past. But that was a topic for another conversation. Was his agreement with Mariel beneficial? “I believe so. We are continuing our betrothal.”
That caught Anthony’s attention. “I’m confused. Did you not just say yesterday that you wished Lady Beaumont to marry another?”
“I did indeed. However, this is not real. This will only be for six weeks and then she will throw me over, so as not to be pitied by the ton.”
“And that gives you time to contact your heir so you can be truthful to your mother.”
Anthony’s keen mind was just one of the characteristics he liked about the man. “Exactly.”
Anthony unhitched Lore from the harness. “Do you know who’s next in line?”
“There is a cousin on my father’s side. For once, I won’t need your help on that.”
“I don’t mind being of assistance.” Anthony walked Lore to his stall. Opening it, he patted the horse on his rump and the gelding entered. He looped the horse collar over the horse and set it through the ring. Finishing, he headed out of the stall. “I should know in a few days if the man you saw in the village last week is from our former regiment.”
He’d all but forgotten about that incident. If he hadn’t had such a well-trained horse, he could have found himself on his backside or worse, with a broken neck. “I didn’t expect your investigation to be so quick.”
Anthony grinned. “I am nothing if not thorough.”
That was quite true, and he was thankful once again for having a man of Anthony’s character not as his former lieutenant but as a friend. “Your talents are invaluable.”
The man winked. “I know.” Laughing, he moved off in search of a groom to tend the horses.
Continuing to the house, Marcus took the steps to the side door two at a time, pleased to be able to give his mother good news, even if only temporarily. As he stepped into his study, the sound of servants talking and walking about could be heard outside the doors to the room. Once his mother was off and in London, he could begin his farce and make it clear to the woman he loved that marriage was out of the question for him, even if he had to tell her the truth…or rather the part that was fit for a lady’s ears.
He opened the door to the corridor and quickly stepped back as two footmen carried a large trunk. Once they passed, he strode down the hallway where Gibson oversaw the chaos. “Is Lady Blackmore upstairs?”
“No, sir. She’s in the parlor having ice cream.” The man’s expression didn’t change but there was a slight uplift to his tone that clearly revealed he thought Lady Blackmore’s activity unusual.
Their new butler didn’t know his mother well…yet. “Thank you.” He turned before Gibson could see him smile and strode into the parlor of pale blue. It was his mother’s favorite color.
“Ah, there you are, Marcus. Wherever have you been? Were you hiding from all the noise like you used to when you were a boy?”
