Anthony sucked in a breath and held it while doing his best to keep his expression neutral. It hadn’t occurred to him until now that this might explain why Miss Quinn was so well versed in romance.
Her uncle had said she’d no interest in marriage, but maybe her stance on this had changed. Perhaps she had a secret beau. It was possible, given her age. And what if she did? Would it make any difference to Anthony?
Yes, was the resounding answer knocking about in his head.
She took a deep breath and chuckled lightly. “I’m afraid I’ve not been so lucky.”
The relief washing through him was so intense he almost sagged beneath the weight of it. Thank God. Her heart remained unattached.
“I’m surprised,” Brody said. “In light of your beauty and charm, I’d imagine you having a number of suitors.”
Anthony scowled at him. The scoundrel would do well to flirt with anyone other than Miss Ada Quinn.
A pink hue darkened her cheeks. “I’m afraid not. Truth is they’d have a hard time meeting me in the first place, seeing as I rarely go anywhere. I’m not a social person and—”
“Westcliffe,” a shrill voice called, much to Anthony’s chagrin.
He turned to see Viscount Ebberly’s dreaded daughter, Miss Amanda Starling, striding toward them with one of her friends. Dressed in a gown far too lavish for walking, the slim, petite blonde looked like a doll with her pale porcelain features framed by carefully arranged curls.
Suppressing a groan, Anthony excused himself to Miss Quinn and stood. As did Brody and Callum.
“Miss Starling,” Anthony said, his mouth stretched into a tight smile. “What a surprise.”
“Indeed it is,” she purred as she came to stand before Anthony. “But not a sorry one, I must say. It’s always a great pleasure to see you. You know my friend, Lady Edwina, of course.”
Anthony gave both ladies a curt bow. “A pleasure.”
Brody and Callum followed suit while Miss Quinn got up, so she too was now standing. Anthony gestured toward her. “Allow me to present my very good friend, Miss Quinn.”
“Ah.” Miss Starling raised her dainty nose and peered at Miss Quinn as though she were a flawed piece of art. “Delighted, I’m sure.”
Anthony gnashed his teeth and prayed the woman would wish them all a good day and move on. Instead, she turned a dazzling smile on him. “I’ve written your sisters today as promised and have asked them to join me for tea on Saturday. In exchange, I trust you’ll keep your end of the bargain?”
Anthony blinked at the reminder. Damn the bloody deal. He’d completely forgotten about it. So much had happened since, but he supposed he was grateful to her for paying his sisters attention. However much he dreaded Miss Starling setting her sights on him, he had to acknowledge the benefit of her acquaintance.
“I am a man of my word,” Anthony told her, forcing the words out while doing his best not to look like he’d just bitten into a lemon.
“Then I shall look forward to seeing you again soon.” She sent Miss Quinn a quick smile before leaning in to whisper, just loud enough for all to hear, “Papa has the marriage contract drawn up. All you need do is sign.”
Anthony stood, rooted to the ground, unable to utter a word as she and her friend swept away.
“Marriage contract?” Brody asked, jolting Anthony out of his frozen state. “You can’t be serious.”
“I…um…” Anthony raked his fingers through his hair.
“You’ll have to forgive me,” Miss Quinn said, her voice a touch uneven. “It’s getting late and I ought to return to the shop.”
“But we’ve not had the cake yet,” Anthony said. Turning toward her he noted the anxious look in her eyes right before she dipped her head to hide the emotion. “Please stay a while longer.”
“I can’t,” she said. “I’m sorry. It’s been a pleasure meeting you both, Your…um…Graces?”
Brody grinned. “The pleasure was entirely ours, I assure you, Miss Quinn.”
“If you give me a moment to gather everything,” Anthony said, already lowering into a crouch and reaching for Miss Quinn’s half empty teacup, “I’ll escort you.”
“There’s really no need,” she said, prompting him to glance up and to see the tight smile she wore. “I am perfectly able to find my way back. And as you have just said, there’s still cake. I see no reason for my early departure to deny you and your friends.”
“But—”
