Page 77 of Three Rules to Wed a Duke

“Not so fast,” Anthony said, taking her arm gently and pulling her back. He looked bashful once again and said, “We’ve had enough of treachery and schemes for one morning. Let’s see to this list of yours for a little while.”

“My list?” Frances asked, knitting her brow. “Oh, for the repairs? I assure you, it can wait until all of this is behind us and Abigail is safe.”

“But it’s what I want to do, at least for a little while. I want to think of happier things for now, even if it’s to be short-lived.”

Frances was awestruck at the sentiment. She took Anthony’s outstretched hand and they began to walk the house, going room by room. It was truly as though he was seeing these things for the first time, but what actually moved Frances was the stories he could tell in each room.

“As you know, my father passed when I was very young. As such, my mother didn’t entertain elaborately, at least not very often. But I remember that every year at Christmastide, it was as though all of her missed events and parties came together into one chaotic collusion. There were visits from friends and relatives, elaborate dinners, intimate parties that would go on through the night until breakfast time, and so much more. Ribbons and garlands were strung everywhere, and I would think there couldn’t possibly be a candle left in all of London for every last one of them had to be in this house,” he said, smiling to himself.

“It sounds lovely,” Frances added softly, longing to hear more.

“Pardon me, I’m sorry for going on about it when you likely didn’t have any sort of celebration like that,” Anthony stammered, clearing his throat.

“Our celebrations at school were subdued, but they were quite meaningful. Of course, Emma and Agnes returned home for Christmas each year, and I would take turns going with each of them. I don’t know that my aunt and uncle ever even found out I wasn’t at school! It became something of a game to see how close we could get to the house without them ever learning I was in the city.”

“So, you were a fearless, brazen schemer even then. It’s no wonder you concocted such a ruse as the one to trap Sir Perry!”

“Whatever it takes to survive,” Frances teased lightly. She became serious once more and said, “It is my fervent hope that Abigail’s circumstances are corrected immediately and we commence repairing the house, then… we shall host a Christmastide celebration such as the ones your mother adored. We will bring that spirit back to this house.”

“I would like that,” Anthony said, though he sounded reserved. “I fear that after so much time living with a shroud of grief and secrecy over the house, I wouldn’t know how to carry myself with people around.”

“There shall be only as many people as you wish, both you and Abigail. And only those of your choosing,” Frances promised.

“You won’t long for grandeur and opulence instead of moderation and a scattering of friends?”

“Never. I already have all the grandeur I need with you and Abigail, with Juliet and Thomas. And I’m certain that Emma and Agnes are more than sufficient to make up for any others! I don’t know that you’ve sat through an entire tea with the pair of them chattering away. It can be overwhelming if you haven’t practiced.”

Anthony laughed again, and Frances was delighted to see his heavy mood begin to lift. She was determined to do whatever it took to ensure that his darkened spirit never returned.

CHAPTER 30

Frances and Anthony sat together on the drawing room sofa, looking every bit as stiff as if they’d been positioned there by someone else and instructed not to move. The minutes ticked by on the mantle clock while neither of them spoke.

“This reminds me, we should have our portrait painted soon,” Anthony finally whispered dryly. Frances couldn’t help but snicker.

“Your Graces, Sir Perry, Baronet of Bellingsworth has come—” the butler began formally, but the intruder shoved past him without waiting for the introduction to finish.

“What’s the meaning of this, Preston?” Sir Perry bellowed. Mr. Vickers and two footmen took their positions at the door, standing guard rather than leaving them to their talk. Anthony looked the baronet up and down, refusing to rise to his feet to greet him or invite the man to sit.

“How good of you to come,” Anthony said slowly. “But pray tell, what is the meaning ofwhat?”

“We have a contract. It is in writing, signed by your father’s hand!”

“My father is dead, God rest his soul,” Anthony answered simply.

“That does not undo his agreement, one which you must honor! Now produce my betrothed or continue to pay my fee for violating the contract.”

Frances watched Sir Perry and noted how he was actually a rather small man when viewed for long enough. His age was showing as well, and Frances began to wonder whether all of the gossip about this man was actually true or merely overblown stories. Up close, hearing him rant in the light of morning, he seemed to be nothing but a bag of blustering wind.

“As I mentioned in my letter, I feel a compromise is in order. I was never made aware of this contract until you appeared with it, and I therefore had no part in agreeing to it. It is my decision then that my sister be the one to decide her future for herself.”

“What would a stupid girl know of making a sound decision?” Sir Perry shouted before turning a sneer of disdain on Frances. “Contracts such as these are the work of men. I cannot even fathom why your wife would be here.”

“Rest assured, regardless of who is present in any given situation, my wife will definitely be the most intelligent person in the room,” Anthony stated matter-of-factly. Frances struggled to keep her expression neutral, for the compliment thrilled her to no end.

“I care not. All that matters to me is my contract. Do you dare go against your father’s intentions?” the baronet challenged.

“If it was, in fact, my father’s intention to force my sister into marriage with someone like you, then I gladly defy him. So, make peace with my terms. If my sister approves of you, then I shall willingly permit the atrocity to take place. If she refuses you, then you shall go on your way and never let your shadow fall on my doorstep again. Agreed?”

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