“Because I might need your help. Is that reason enough?”
His expression gentled, and he angled his head lower, licking a line with his tongue along her closed lips. “Yes.” He straightened and retrieved the reins. “Shall we proceed?”
Marguerite took a deep steadying breath. “I’m glad you are with me, Anthony. I don’t think there is anyone I would rather have by my side.”
He went still and looked back at her. “Thank you.”
She tilted her head up to look at him. “Is that all you have to say?”
“It’s all I’m able to get out at the moment.” He sighed. “Your faith in me is a new experience. No one else thinks I’m capable of doing anything except ruining my life.”
“My family says the same about me.”
He smiled and she smiled back, aware of the growing connection between them, the sense that she had truly found a man who understood her. He bent to kiss her cold cheek.
“Then perhaps we should prove them wrong together?”
“Perhaps we should.” Marguerite nodded decisively.
His laughter warmed her. With a light flick of his whip, he set the horses in motion and they headed to the front of the house.
A footman ran down the shallow worn steps to greet them and to assist Marguerite out of the curricle. While she waited for Anthony to confer with the stable hand, she looked up at the mellow red front of the house. Ivy grew around the diamond paned windows, and rose stems climbed around the door. If Justin had lived, this would’ve been his country estate until his father died.
Marguerite felt no sense of ownership. Her marriage had been so brief that she’d never even visited the house. She had no sad memories to spoil its obvious charm and beauty. Smoke rose from the ornate chimney pots and curled around the roof line before drifting lazily toward the almost barren trees.
Anthony touched her arm. “Are you ready to go in?”
She placed her fingertips on his sleeve, picked up her skirts and walked into the house. Whatever happened during her stay, she was determined to face it with as much grace and courage as she could muster. Another footman led them into a sunny drawing room where Amelia sat by the fire, her embroidery hoop in her hand, a bored expression on her round face.
Marguerite fixed on a smile. “Good afternoon, Amelia. I hope you are well?” She glanced up at Anthony. “May I introduce you to Lord Anthony Sokorvsky?”
Amelia dropped her embroidery on the floor, her mouth a perfect O. She craned her neck to look behind Marguerite. “Where is Mrs. Jones?”
“She decided not to accompany me. Lord Anthony very kindly brought me down in his curricle.”
“You were alone?”
Marguerite pretended to frown. “Well hardly that, Amelia. We were together.”
Anthony nudged Marguerite and swept Amelia a perfect bow. “Good afternoon, my lady, and thank you for inviting me into your home.”
Amelia smiled distractedly at Anthony and continued to stare at Marguerite as if she’d never seen her before. Marguerite hoped she looked calm and confident. It was harder to pretend she hadn’t behaved shockingly than she had imagined. She had no idea how Lisette carried it off so convincingly, but perhaps it was time she learned. Amelia got to her feet and held out her hand to Anthony.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lord.” She cast Marguerite a sly glance. “I’m even more intrigued about how you came to meet my dear sister-in-law.”
“Oh, through mutual friends. Isn’t that always the case?”
“I suppose it is.” Amelia beckoned to a footman. “Please show my guests to their rooms.” She nodded at Marguerite. “And we’ll see you down here for dinner in an hour or so?”
“That would be lovely, Amelia,” Marguerite said. “Is Charles here?”
“No, I believe he’s out shooting at some kind of bird. He should be back soon. I’m sure he’ll be delighted to see you both.” Amelia studied Anthony. “Especially you, my lord.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting him as well. I know Marguerite holds him in high regard.”
With a last cordial nod in Amelia’s direction, Anthony escorted Marguerite back into the hall and up the carved oak staircase. To her surprise, the footman led them to adjoining rooms. She remembered to thank him as he closed the door behind him. Her luggage sat in a pile on the blue rug in front of a welcoming fire.
With a sigh, she took off her bonnet, set it on the dressing table and studied her face. Despite the openness of the carriage she looked remarkably well, her cheeks flushed from the cold and wind, her eyes bright.
A knock on the door made her straighten and turn away from the mirror. A young woman entered the room and bobbed a curtsey.
“Good afternoon, my lady. I’m Rachel. I’m here to unpack your luggage and help you change.”
“That would be lovely.” Marguerite smiled and resigned herself to not getting a moment to see if Anthony was all right. He’d seemed more than capable of dealing with Amelia. His manners were always exquisite, his countenance serene. In truth, she suspected he was as good at hiding his inner turmoil as she was.
As she helped the maid unpack, Marguerite pondered his revelations about his family. Did they disapprove of his sexual tastes? Was that why he was being forced to move out? Despite being at odds with her own family, she still believed that when they realized she was happy, they’d come around to her involvement with Anthony.
She stared down at the petticoat she was attempting to fold. Would Anthony ever receive that acceptance? And if not, how would he deal with it? She would hate to lose him.
By the time Marguerite emerged from her room, darkness had fallen and the candle sconces in the hallways had been lit. Anthony leaned against the wall beside his door, immaculately turned out in shades of brown and black, his dark hair glinting in the soft light. He bowed and offered her his arm. “You look very nice. Blue suits you.”
“Thank you. Were you waiting for me?”
“Of course I was. Do you think I want to brave your relatives alone?”
“They aren’t that bad. I’m quite fond of Charles. He’s always been very kind to me.”
“I’m sure he has.”
His dry tone made her look up at him. “Do you mean because he got to inherit everything instead of Justin?”
“Good God, no! After seeing how his wife reacts to you, I meant that he’s probably infatuated with you.”
“It’s true that Amelia doesn’t like me. I’ve never bothered to ask why. I always try to be nice to her.”
“And that probably makes her dislike you even more.” Anthony continued down the stairs until they reached the bottom and then stopped. He cupped Marguerite’s chin in his hand so she had to look at him.
“Why don’t you believe you have a right to be part of the Lockwood family?”
“Because they didn’t want me. After Justin’s death, they tried to annul the marriage, tried to pretend it had never happened.”
“But you know it did. Why don’t you act as if you believe it?”
“That is hardly fair. I’ve done my best to fit in.”
“Have you?”
She swallowed hard. “Yes, I have, and it’s no use. How would your father feel if you brought home a girl whose mother was a notorious brothel owner and your father . . . your father wasn’t even named, because . . .”
Anthony’s fingers covered her mouth. “Don’t.”
She shoved his fingers and his sympathy away. “. . . not even your mother knew who he was, because she was forced to bed so many men in the Bastille.” She choked a laugh. “I could have royal blood or the blood of murderers in my veins. What a perfect addition to an aristocratic family.”
She wiped hastily at her eyes and glared at Anthony. “Don’t you dare feel sorry for me.”
“I won’t.” He brushed her cheek once, twice, taking the tears and some of the hurt away. “You are an amazing woman, Marguerite. Any man should be honored to have you in his family.” He held her gaze, kissed her fingers and placed her hand back on his sleeve. “Now, let’s go and make ourselves pleasant to our hosts, and perhaps you’ll finally tell me what on earth we are doing here.”