“Of course. He doesn’t divulge much in his letters, but it does sound as if he’s enjoying himself, as I told him to.”
Lissa frowned, as that was not the impression she had from Anthony. “He has told me that his family is not pleased with his activities.”
Her Grace sighed. “Yes, well, that would be his father and three brothers. They can be quite boring in their traditions, but I told him to enjoy his life however he wished. When he was young, he thought of himself as expendable—and yes, at the age of but seven, that is what he called himself. There was no way I could sway him otherwise, as his father and brothers had truly made him feel that way, though not intentionally. I do hope he has overcome that flaw. But yes, I told him because he was a fourth son, it gave him the freedom to do whatever he wished with his life.”
Lissa’s admiration for Lady Roxburgh grew at how clever she was, though she’d keep the fact that Anthony still considered himself expendable to herself. Even at the thought, her stomach clenched. He truly didn’t realize how important he was.
“So your disguise has to do with his latest investigation?” Her Grace’s blue eyes, the same color as Anthony’s, shone with excitement.
Pleased that the woman was far from the typical duchess, Lissa continued. “I’m sure Anthony is telling His Grace about this even as I speak, so you should know as well. We stumbled upon a plot to kill the king.”
“What? No one can get to the king, especially now, with his ailment.”
She leaned forward, happy to have someone to talk with about it. “We knew there was something afoot with a certain lord, and so Anthony garnered an invitation into the man’s home through your eldest, Lord Ferncroft. While there, we discovered a secret room. Unfortunately, the lord discovered us and a fight ensued.”
Her Grace’s eyes widened. “Is that how my son got that terrible bruise on his forehead?”
“Indeed it is. As we escaped, I stuffed my pockets with letters we had found, but hadn’t had a chance to read, in the hopes they would help us. It was after we rode to Gretna Green and married that we were finally able to read them. You see, when I grabbed up the letters, I also inadvertently scooped up a few valuables. Anthony was afraid the lord in question would bring me before a magistrate, so he married me to protect me.”
Anthony’s mother studied her then began to shake her head. “No.” She continued moving. “No, my son would not marry you simply to protect you.”
Confused, Lissa pressed the point. “I promise you, he did. We have been friends for well on three years now, so he feels a certain obligation toward me. It’s what I felt when protecting him in France. I know you wished your son a love match like you and the duke, but I promise you, we will rub along nicely.” She smiled, hoping the woman wouldn’t be too crushed.
But Lady Roxburgh kept shaking her head. “I understand you believe that, as I imagine he hasn’t told you how he feels about you, but the truth is, he could’ve found a way to protect you without binding himself to you for the rest of his life. No, my son loves you.”
Lissa shook her own head but stopped as she thought back on their time since reuniting. There had been a definite shift in howhe treated her the day they discovered the gun case entrance to the secret room. Could he truly be in love with her? Her belly turned in on itself and she rolled in her lips, not sure how to feel about such a revelation…if it were true.
“Don’t worry. All will be well. My son is a smart man. He would know the right woman for him, and if you have been friends for such a length of time, then that is a strong foundation.”
Though the woman’s words were meant to soothe Lissa, they didn’t. In fact, they made her feel guilty.
She rose from the chair and walked to the dressing table. What she felt for Anthony was not the same as what she felt for Etienne. It was very different. It was fondness, respect, protectiveness, enjoyment, and pleasure.
She stared at herself in the mirror. But thatwaswhat she’d felt for Etienne, and yet it wasn’t the same. Could it be her age now that made it feel different? Anthony understood her, and she him. They had the same spirit, as it were. They were a pair, alike, with a strong bond. She’d never been friends with Etienne. Could that be it?
Her Grace rose. “Well, I best set the staff to packing.”
“Packing?” Lissa frowned, not sure why Lady Roxburgh would need to leave. She wasn’t in danger.
“Yes. If I know my husband, and I do, we will all be leaving here by tomorrow morning. If the king is involved, then there is no time to waste. Yes, we are almost hermits up here, but my husband still has close friends, and he will want to take care of this. Besides, you cannot settle in at Bellamore until all is resolved.”
“Why?” Lissa had hoped they could leave the issue with the duke and she could see her new home. One that was truly hers.
The woman stopped on her way to the door. “Because, my dear, Anthony’s coachman has already been here to let us knowthat a Lord Leighhall has visited Bellamore and demanded to see my son. The coachman warned us not to let Anthony go home. Something to do with having burned his coach. As I understand it, the poor coachman barely had time to separate the horses and flee.” The woman winked before walking out.
Lissa stared at the closed door, her mind racing. Leighhall had burned the coach they were supposed to be in? A shiver raced up her spine, and she crossed her arms over her chest. Suddenly, understanding dawned. Anthony’s mother had already known something was wrong! Had she asked for details because her husband wouldn’t tell her, or was she testing her new daughter-in-law?
Lissa moved closer to the fire, feeling cold. For the second time since being sent to the Belinda School for Curious Ladies, she felt her life was no longer under her control. Now she was married to a baron. A man of wit and humor, but also with great honor and responsibility, who may, possibly, love her.
She held her hands out to the warmth, thinking of how gentle or passionate he could be in bed, how often he grinned, or how much he enjoyed the puzzle of life. These were all similarities they had. She needed time to sort out her own feelings. She cared for him greatly, of that she knew. When Leighhall had lifted the crossbow, her fury had been all consuming, but that was because he was her friend. He would feel the same way.
And maybe he did. His mother was not in his life anymore. She might not realize the man he was, the steadfast and loyal friend he could be. That was the most likely explanation.
Feeling more comfortable with her thoughts, she moved back to the dressing table, curious about why Her Grace had been so particular about her—
The door flew open, banging against the wall as Anthony strode in. “We leave in an hour.”
It appeared his mother had been correct. “Where are we going?”
