“Thank you. I get all of my courage from you, dear sister. No one can stop me from thinking of you that way.”
“Nor me,” Selina said fiercely.
“I do wonder what my father will say.” Beatrix looked to Thomas. “I suppose I should warn him.”
Thomas frowned. “He doesn’t deserve that.”
“Probably not,” Beatrix said gaily. “What about you, Selina? Are you ready for the difference in the way people will treat you now?” She glanced toward Rafe. “And you?”
Selina exchanged a look with Rafe and shrugged. “I suppose.” She exhaled. “I knew it was coming. I just wanted another day or two.”
Harry faced Rafe. “I’m going to submit your claim to the Prince Regent and the attorney general tomorrow morning. However, before I finish it, I’m going to the newspaper to find out how they learned this information.” He bent and kissed Selina’s brow. “I’ll see you at home later.”
“We’ll drop her at Cavendish Square,” Beatrix offered.
Harry thanked them and left.
Rafe rose. “If you’ll excuse me, this has been a thoroughly eventful day.”
Selina also stood, as did Beatrix with her. “Rafe became betrothed today. Goodness, that will be in the newspaper soon too.” She looked at him. “When do you plan to announce it?”
“How the hell should I know?” He scrubbed his hand through his hair again. “Am I supposed to make an announcement, or will Anne?”
“Anne Pemberton?” Beatrix asked in surprise. At Selina’s affirmative response, she added, “Excellent choice. I like her very much. Though, I’m surprised she agreed to marry someone so soon after her other wedding.” She made a face of disgust before her expression transformed into a warm smile directed at Rafe. “You must have completely won her over. Congratulations, Rafe. I hope you’ll be very happy.”
Thomas cleared his throat. “I would say that Miss Pemberton’s family should make the announcement. You may wish to discuss the particulars with Lady Colton.”
Rafe didn’t want to discuss anything anymore today. He tugged gently at his cravat, but didn’t untie the knot. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m in need of a brandy. Then I’ve apparently a betrothal to announce.”
Selina came toward him and touched his arm. “I’m so glad for you.” She searched his gaze, as if trying to read if he truly was happy. “Please let me know if I can help.”
“I’m sure you can.” He kissed her cheek and departed the library.
If all went according to plan, he would be an earl and a husband before the month was out. And hopefully his uncle would be on his way to the noose.
Chapter 13
Anne stifled a yawn as the coach drove through Berkley Square.
“You’re tired today,” Jane noted from beside her.
“I slept rather fitfully.”
“Because of the betrothal?” Jane had been thrilled for Anne, if surprised that Rafe had actually proposed since there had been no official courtship. She’d noted that people would find that of interest. Anne had said she planned to tell people that they’d met at Ivy Grove and their courtship had been swift.
“And the story in the paper.” Anne had wanted to see Rafe after reading the article identifying him as the presumed dead heir to the Earl of Stone. But she’d settled for sending him a note saying she was thinking of him. She’d yet to receive a response, which had probably also contributed to her sleeplessness.
“I am curious to find out your godfather’s reaction to that newspaper story,” Jane said as the coach turned onto Bruton Street and came to a stop in front of the current Earl of Stone’s residence.
Anne imagined he wasn’t pleased. However, he couldn’t avoid the inevitable. Rafe would be declared the earl. “We will discover it shortly,” she said to her sister as the coachman opened the door.
A few minutes later, they sat in the drawing room awaiting Anne’s godfather’s arrival. This time, Jane would remain with her for the entire visit.
Her godfather hurried into the room, his features taut with distress. “Ah, Anne, and Lady Colton.” A weak smile stretched his lips. “I’m afraid you’ve caught me on my way out.”
“I see,” Anne said pleasantly, afraid that he was, in fact, very upset about the newspaper article. “I came to share some news.”
“Oh?” He stood a moment longer before taking a seat, though he was clearly ready to leave as soon as Anne said what she came to say.
She hesitated, wanting to ask him about his agitation first, but ultimately revealed her news. “Yesterday, I became betrothed to your nephew.”
Anne didn’t think it was possible for the earl to sit any farther forward on the edge of the chair, but he did. His eyes rounded and his jaw dropped. “What? How?” he sputtered.
“After we met at Ivy Grove, we found we had much in common. He has called on me a few times,” she fibbed, “and we decided we suit. I expected you would be happy since you were so intent on reintroducing me to the Marriage Mart. Furthermore, I am actually marrying into your family. Isn’t it wonderful?”
He blinked several times. “Yes, of course. I’m just surprised. You didn’t mention he was courting you when you visited the other day.”
The skepticism in his tone was slightly annoying. “Things happened rather quickly. I really can’t tell if you’re pleased or not. Is this because you’re planning to contest Rafe’s claim to the title?”
“I still haven’t decided. But I must do so very soon because his claim was presented today. I expect you already know that.”
She didn’t, and that disappointed her. “I want you to know what a good person Rafe is. There is much you don’t know about him.”
“Then please inform me,” he said, settling back in the chair and trying to appear serene despite the tic in his jaw.
Hesitating, Anne glanced at her sister. Should she reveal what she knew of Rafe? The things he kept private and only very recently exposed to her? “He just is.”
“Unless you can point to something that proves what you say, I’m afraid I’ll need to reserve judgment.”
Frustrated by her godfather’s behavior and driven by the need to defend the man she loved, Anne turned her back on caution and hoped Rafe would understand. “He owns a bookshop on Paternoster Row and has for some time. He’s made wise investments and built a considerable fortune. He helps orphans find employment and provides them housing if they need it. He is liked and respected in Cheapside.” She recalled all the people who knew him from when they’d visited Paternoster Row and Cheapside during their stolen afternoons. Every one of them—and there were many—had greeted him warmly.
“So that’s where he lived before?” her godfather asked. “Cheapside?”
“Yes.” She thought of his house there and how his wife hadn’t lived at that residence. It bothered her that she didn’t know where he’d lived before then, but she was still learning all there was to know about him, just as he was about her.