Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

" H ow could you not tell me about Miss Huxley?" Phoebe demanded.

Her voice barely restrained as they walked along the gravel path; her green eyes, so similar to Anthony's, flashed with indignation.

A week had passed by since his first secret meeting with Eliza. Now, he'd found himself strolling around Hyde Park with his sister Phoebe, who was visibly fuming.

The usually serene park, with its manicured gardens and leisurely walkers, was a stark contrast to Phoebe's simmering anger.

Anthony sighed, knowing this confrontation was inevitable. He glanced at his sister, her determined expression and the slight flush of her cheeks a testament to her fiery temper—a trait they both shared.

Phoebe had always been fiercely protective of him, ever since their mother's death. However, her own responsibilities as a wife and mother kept her distracted from the details of his day-to-day life.

"Phoebe, it was a recent development. I did not have time to inform you."

"Did not have time?" Phoebe echoed incredulously. "You, who have managed to avoid every matchmaking attempt by the ton for years , suddenly get engaged and do not think to tell your own sister? I had to hear it from Lady Somersby of all people!"

Anthony winced at the thought of Lady Somersby's incessant gossip. "Phoebe, it is not what you think."

"And what should I think?" Phoebe stopped walking, turning to face him. "Are you marrying her for financial purposes? Or did you compromise Miss Huxley and feel obliged to make an offer?"

Anthony took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure. "I did not compromise her. I simply like her more than the others, and it would be an advantageous match for the estate, considering her dowry."

Phoebe crossed her arms, her expression one of stern determination. "Very well then. How did you meet Miss Huxley, and what made you decide to propose?"

Anthony met his sister's gaze, his expression serious. "We were introduced at a ball last season; she is a friend of the Duchess of Whitehall. Miss Huxley was in a difficult situation, and I stepped in to help her. Over time, I got to know her better, and started to enjoy her company. That is all."

"So this is about finances?"

"In a way."

Phoebe's anger softened slightly, her concern evident. "And why did you wait so long to tell me? You know how much your happiness means to me."

Anthony rubbed his temples, feeling the headache that had been plaguing him for days resurface. "This is not about feelings, sister. It's a practical match with a lady whose presence I can tolerate."

"Tolerate? Is that all you can say for your fiancée?"

"Yes. And that is all I have to say on the matter."

Phoebe's eyes widened, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I was worried that you were trying to avoid some sort of scandal, and we might have the new heir to Redfern born suspiciously early."

Anthony glared at her warningly. "Phoebe."

Phoebe uncrossed her arms, her demeanor softening. "It does seem like a smart match. And love has grown from the small seed of like," she pondered, but then she frowned again, "I am only saying this because I worry about you, brother. Ever since Charles?—"

"Do not ," he growled—he was not in the mood to discuss his friend's demise.

Phoebe frowned, "I understand his situation has affected you, but surely, perhaps you could find something more with Miss Huxley? Something other than a practical match, as you say?"

He glowered at her, his jaw clenching tightly.

"I will handle my engagement as I see fit, sister," he told her, his blood still seething with the mention of Charles.

"All right, all right. No need to pull out claws," she said gently, then linked her arm through his, resuming their walk. "Will you at least tell me more about Miss Huxley? What is she like?"

He groaned. "I insist we move on."

As they continued their walk, Phoebe's curiosity remained undiminished. She squeezed his arm, her eyes filled with determination.

"You know, you cannot just brush this off. You need to tell me everything. How did you go from meeting her at a ball to proposing? What exactly happened?"

Anthony tried to steer the conversation away, despite his sister's persistence. "Sister, it is complicated. There are many details, and not all of them are worth discussing right now."

Phoebe shook her head, refusing to be deterred. "If you think you can keep me in the dark, you are mistaken. I want to know everything . This is not just about you anymore—it is about your future with Miss Huxley and the future of Redfern. So, start talking."

"I would rather hear more about my darling niece," Anthony said smoothly. "Is Violet jumping fences with her new pony yet?"

"Not yet, despite your best efforts," Phoebe sighed, shaking her head. "Do not think you can distract me so easily."

As they continued their walk, a figure in the distance caught Anthony's eye. It was Eliza, strolling with her maid. The sight of her made his pulse quicken, a reminder of their recent encounter and the intensity of their kiss.

Anthony's expression brightened. "Ah, Miss Huxley! What a pleasant surprise."

Eliza looked up, and as her blue eyes met his, he saw a blush creep up into her cheeks. She curtsied gracefully. "Your Grace. I did not expect to see you here."

"Indeed," Anthony replied, stepping closer and offering her a warm smile. "Allow me to introduce you to my sister, the Viscountess of Rutherford."

Phoebe gave a polite nod. "Miss Huxley, it is a pleasure to meet you."

Eliza curtsied again. "The pleasure is mine, Lady Rutherford."

Anthony could not help but notice how Eliza's red hair shone in the sunlight, framing her face in soft waves.

As for her dress, good heavens ; it accentuated her curves in a way that made it hard for him to look away.

Phoebe, noticing the subtle exchange of glances, seized the opportunity.

"Since we have the chance, why do we not all continue our walk together?" she suggested, a touch too eagerly.

Anthony hesitated for a moment and traded a quick glance with Eliza, who looked equally chagrined, but then nodded. "That sounds like a delightful idea, Lady Rutherford."

As they fell into step beside each other, Phoebe wasted no time in drilling them with questions. "So, how did you two come to be engaged? I am curious to hear about your courtship."

Anthony and Eliza exchanged a brief glance, each trying to find a way to navigate the unexpected interrogation.

"Well," Anthony began, attempting to sound nonchalant, "it all started at the Fernside ball last year as you know. Miss Huxley made quite an impression on me."

Eliza, catching on to the need for a cohesive story, added, "We had several pleasant conversations about our shared love of Shakespeare."

Phoebe raised an eyebrow. "Shakespeare? How fascinating. I had no idea Anthony enjoyed his work. Which play did you discuss?"

"Hamlet," Eliza replied quickly.

"King Lear," Anthony said simultaneously.

Eliza's eyes widened, and she looked at Anthony expectantly.

Anthony stammered slightly, trying to keep his composure. "Ah, Hamlet, of course. We must have discussed King Lear another time. Miss Huxley has a particular fondness for Ophelia."

Eliza quickly jumped in, "Yes, quite a tragic figure indeed."

Phoebe's gaze grew sharper, eyeing them both skeptically. "Interesting. And what other subjects did you find yourselves in agreement on?"

Anthony, trying to keep the story consistent, said, "We both have a passion for riding. Miss Huxley is quite the accomplished horsewoman."

Eliza nodded, adding hastily, "Yes, I adore riding through the countryside. It is so freeing."

"Very interesting," Phoebe allowed, seemingly placated by Eliza's genuine enthusiasm for horse riding. "And how did you make your offer, Anthony? Were you not in Kent, working on the estate for the beginning of the season?"

"Yes, but you see—" Anthony began, but Eliza quickly interjected.

"I spent some time at Whitehall, and we became more familiar there. You see, we did not want to make an official announcement for some time, but our hands were forced."

"So did he propose there?" Phoebe asked Eliza.

They both spoke at the same time but gave different responses.

"Yes," she answered.

"No," Anthony grimaced as Phoebe raised an eyebrow at him.

"Well, we first spoke about marriage at Whitehall," Eliza tried to explain.

"But it was not official until the other night if you recall," Anthony added.

"Ah yes, the scandal sheets," Phoebe mused. "It is curious, then, that Anthony never made mention of you…"

Anthony shook his head warningly at Eliza as Phoebe turned her head toward a sound.

Eliza mouthed, "What?"

"Dear heavens," Phoebe exclaimed, "what is that racket?"

Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere was shattered by the sound of frantic hoof beats. Anthony's attention snapped toward the commotion, his eyes widening as he saw a carriage barreling down the path, completely driverless with a panicked horse attached.

People in the park began to shout for help, their voices filled with urgency and fear. Men attempted to intervene, waving their arms and trying to calm the frenzied horse, but their efforts only seemed to agitate it further.

"Good heavens," Eliza gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in horror. "That horse is out of control!"

Phoebe, her eyes wide with alarm, stepped closer to Anthony. "What do we do?"

"Something needs to be done about the poor animal," Eliza exclaimed, her voice filled with concern. "They're all scaring it instead of calming it."

Anthony turned, holding up a hand to keep her and Phoebe back. "Stay here, both of you. It's too dangerous."

But Eliza shook her head and refused to be deterred. "No, they are just making it worse."

Without another word, she started striding towards the horse.

"Eliza, what are you doing?" Anthony called after her, his heart leaping into his throat.

"Someone must calm the poor creature down!" she called back without sparing a single glance.

He watched in horror as Eliza approached the panicked horse. The image of her being smashed by the trampling hooves flashed before his eyes, but he shook himself out of it.

Without wasting another moment, Anthony followed her, determined to stop her before she got too close to the frenzied animal.

Though his strides were long and purposeful, Eliza was surprisingly fast. Just as he reached her, she came to a halt right in front of the horse.

But it was too late.