Chapter 20

"Anthony, you look like you have not slept a wink," Trevor observed, raising an eyebrow as he took a sip of his brandy. "You normally very much enjoy our trips to White's."

That was true. Anthony did normally enjoy the gentleman's club they frequented. The atmosphere was one of luxury and relaxation, but he could not feel it right now.

Anthony sighed, running a hand through his short, dark hair. "Sorry, please, continue with what you were saying."

Anthony's mind wandered back to the previous night, the moment they had returned from Lady Wilton's garden still vivid in his memory. Lord Swift's uncharacteristic restraint as they reentered the garden had left Anthony puzzled and on edge, bracing himself for a confrontation that never came. The unsettling feeling had stayed with him, growing in the pit of his stomach, and even now, sitting in the familiar comfort of White's, it lingered.

"I received a letter from our agent in the West Indies," Trevor continued. "The latest shipment has encountered some delays due to inclement weather, but it should arrive in London within the fortnight."

Anthony nodded thoughtfully. "That is good news, all things considered. We can adjust our plans accordingly. The market for spices has been particularly strong this season."

Unfortunately, Anthony still could not focus. Not when the sound of voices at a near by table caught his attention.

"Mark my words, Percival," came the smooth, self assured tone of Lord Frampton. "Lady Swift will soon be mine. The girl has no other prospects, not ones that match my rank and fortune, anyway."

Anthony's ears perked up, his heart quickening. He turned slightly in his seat, subtly angling himself to better hear the conversation.

"That is interesting," Percival, Lord Frampton's companion, jumped in. "I have not heard much about her."

Lord Frampton's words were laced with arrogance.

"The Earl of Hadleigh is an easy target," he said, his tone turning derisive. "He is so blinded by ambition that he will throw his daughter at anyone with a title and a sizable fortune. And Lady Chloe Swift, while undeniably beautiful, is little more than a trophy. She will look good on my arm, and you know how other men react when you have a beautiful woman with you."

Percival laughed loudly. "Oh yes, there will certainly be more respect there."

Anthony's grip tightened around his glass, his knuckles whitening. How dare Lord Frampton reduce Chloe to a mere decoration, a tool for his own gain? She was intelligent, kind, fiercely independent… qualities Lord Frampton could never appreciate or understand.

"Lady Swift may not know it yet," Lord Frampton continued, his voice filling the whole bar, almost as if it were purposeful. "But she will come to understand that a match with me is her best option. Once the earl pressures her enough, she shall have no choice but to comply. I will make sure she sees that resisting is futile."

"I am sure no one would dare to reject the Duke of Fladbury," Percival agreed. "And then you will have everything you want."

"Well, I will need a male heir, of course," Lord Frampton added, with a tone that made Anthony's blood boil. "Life will not be complete without that."

Anthony could not listen any longer. His anger and frustration reached a boiling point. He turned back to Trevor, who had not noticed a thing, and was still discussing business.

"…and then I think it might be wise for us to arrange a meeting with Lord Thompson. Now, I know you are not a big fan of his, but…"

Fury boiled within Anthony, his fists clenching beneath the table as he fought the urge to confront Lord Frampton and defend Chloe's honor. He knew that causing a scene would only serve to fuel the gossip mill and potentially harm Chloe's reputation, so he forced himself to remain seated, his jaw set in a hard line. Unaware of Anthony's presence, Lord Frampton continued his conversation, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction as he likened his pursuit of Chloe to a business deal, a mere transaction to be concluded.

Anthony's mind raced. How could Lord Frampton speak so callously about Chloe, reducing her to nothing more than a pawn in his game of social advancement? How could Lord Swift prefer this for his daughter, rather than someone who really loved her? It did not make any sense. Lord Frampton's arrogance was infuriating. Anthony had to do something , but it had to be calculated, not impulsive. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm raging inside him.

"…I think it might be good for us…"

"Trevor," Anthony interrupted, his voice tight with barely controlled anger, "we need to leave."

Trevor looked up, startled. "What? Why? We have not finished our drinks."

Anthony leaned in, his voice low and urgent. "Julian Frampton is here, and he is talking about Chloe in the most despicable terms. I need to get out of here before I do something that will cause a scandal."

Trevor's eyes widened as he glanced toward Lord Frampton's table, then back at Anthony. He nodded quickly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Very well, let us go."

They rose from their seats, Anthony's movements stiff with suppressed rage. As they made their way out of White's, Anthony cast one last glance at Lord Frampton, who was still obliviously engrossed in his vile conversation. Anthony vowed to himself that he would protect Chloe from that man, no matter what it took. He might not be able to do what he wanted to right now, but he would most certainly make sure that the duke did not get what he wanted. He was just grateful that Chloe had trusted him with the false courtship. As scary as it was, and as risky as it was, he knew now that it was going to be worth it.

Once outside, the cool night air did little to soothe Anthony's anger. He took several deep breaths, trying to steady his racing thoughts. Trevor clapped a hand on his shoulder, his expression a mix of concern and determination.

"Do not worry," Trevor did his best to reassure him. "You will save Chloe from being married to him; I just know it."

Anthony nodded, grateful for his friend's support. "I appreciate it, Trevor. I just need to clear my head and think of a plan. I can not let that man anywhere near Chloe. No matter what."

***

Anthony could feel his heart hammering against his rib cage as he stood at the base of the grand staircase of the Swift residence, waiting for Chloe to join him for their walk on the promenade. He adjusted his cravat, taking a steadying breath. Today was crucial, not only for their scheme but also for his own heart.

As the clock chimed, he heard the soft rustle of skirts descending the staircase. Chloe appeared, a vision in a delicate pastel gown that seemed to float around her as she moved. Her golden hair was styled in elegant curls, framing her porcelain face and expressive green eyes. Anthony's breath caught in his throat, and he found himself momentarily speechless. She was more beautiful every single time he saw her, and the sight of her stirred a longing deep within him. A stirring he was not sure he was truly permitted to feel.

As Chloe reached the bottom step, Anthony stepped forward and took her gloved hand in his. Unable to resist, he raised it to his lips, placing a soft kiss upon her knuckles. The simple touch sent a jolt of electricity through him, and he saw a faint blush rise to Chloe's cheeks.

"Chloe," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You look stunning."

"Thank you, Anthony," Chloe replied, her voice soft but filled with warmth. "I am glad I could accompany you today."

Their tender moment was abruptly interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Anthony turned to see Lord Swift approaching, his expression unreadable. Anthony braced himself for the sharp rebuke he had come to expect from Chloe's father, but to his surprise, Lord Swift merely smiled. A smile that did not quite reach his eyes.

"Lord Anthony," Lord Swift said, his tone a touch too saccharine to be entirely sincere. "How good of you to escort my daughter today. I trust you will ensure she has an enjoyable outing."

Anthony inclined his head, masking his surprise. "Of course, Lord Swift. It is my honor."

Lord Swift's smile remained fixed. "Very well, then. Do enjoy yourselves."

With a final nod, Lord Swift turned and walked away, leaving Anthony and Chloe in a brief silence. Anthony glanced at Chloe, who seemed equally taken aback by her father's uncharacteristic politeness.

"Shall we?" Anthony asked, offering his arm.

Chloe smiled and took his arm. "Yes, let us go."

As they stepped out in to the carriage, Anthony's mind whirled with thoughts. Lord Swift's sudden change in demeanor was unsettling. The man had always been hostile towards him, seeing Anthony as unworthy of his daughter. This newfound politeness was suspicious. What was Lord Swift up to?

"Is something troubling you, Anthony?" Chloe asked, her voice gentle.

Anthony forced a smile. "Just pondering, my lady. Your father's mood seems quite improved today."

Chloe sighed, glancing back at the house. "Father is often difficult to read. I never know what to expect from him."

Anthony nodded, though he could not shake the feeling that there was more to it. Lord Swift's behavior could not be a mere coincidence, not when Lord Frampton was actively scheming to secure Chloe's hand. Could Lord Swift have struck some sort of deal with Lord Frampton already? The thought made Anthony's blood run cold.

As they strolled through promenade park, arm in arm, Anthony could not stop smiling. Reminiscing with Chloe was the most fun that he'd had in a very long time. It always was. He adored talking with Chloe, especially about the times that they had shared, but today it felt even more special.

"I remember the time you convinced me to climb that enormous oak tree," Anthony said, chuckling. "I was certain we would be able to see all the way to London from the top."

Chloe giggled, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "And then we got stuck halfway up, and poor Rose had to fetch Father to get us down."

Rose, their silent chaperone, trailed behind them at a respectful distance, but for a moment, it felt as though Chloe and Anthony were the only two people in the world. They came upon a small pond, its surface reflecting the clear blue sky and the lush greenery surrounding it. Anthony led Chloe to a bench over looking the water.

"Do you remember the time we tried to catch frogs here?" Chloe asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Anthony laughed. "How could I forget? You were determined to bring one home as a pet, and I ended up falling into the pond."

Chloe's laughter joined his, a bright, melodic sound that filled the air. "You were soaked from head to toe, and Mother made you stay in the servants' quarters until your clothes dried."

Anthony smiled, the memory bringing a sense of nostalgia. "Those were simpler times."

Chloe nodded, her expression softening. "Yes, they were. We had so much freedom back then. No worries about societal expectations or family pressures. We could just have fun, without worrying about what might come next."

Anthony glanced at her, his heart aching at the thought of what she was currently enduring. "Chloe, do you ever wish we could go back to those days? When everything was easier?"

Chloe sighed, looking out at the pond. "Sometimes. But we cannot go back, can we? We can only move forward and try to make the best of our situations."

Anthony's thoughts drifted to Lord Swift and his unexpected politeness earlier. What game was he playing? What did he hope to gain by pushing Chloe towards Lord Frampton? Anthony's mind whirled with possibilities, but one thing remained clear: he had to protect Chloe at all costs.

"Anthony," Chloe said, breaking the silence. "Do you ever wonder what life would have been like if things had been different?"

He looked at her, curiosity piqued. "Different how?"

"If we were not bound by societal expectations," Chloe continued, her voice thoughtful. "If we could have pursued our own paths without worrying about titles and fortunes. It would be much better, would it not? If we could all just follow our hearts."

Anthony squeezed her hand, a wistful smile on his face. "I think about that often. I imagine a world where we could be free to follow our hearts. I visited a lot of places like that on my travels, and it truly looked wonderful to be free."

"And yet… you returned."

He gave her a knowing look. "That I did. Father passed away and my duties awaited me."

But of course, that was not the only reason he had come back to London. But could he tell Chloe the truth right now? He parted his lips, wanting to say something, but nothing came out. It was almost as if there was something in the base of his throat, blocking him from speaking. He had almost said it. When they were at Richmond Park, he almost got those words out, but after seeing Lord Swift behave like he did… it had put him off.

Eventually, they returned to the Swift residence, the ride in the carriage was unusually silent. Chloe seemed deep in thought, her brow furrowed as she gazed out the window. Anthony, too, was lost in his own reflections, the earlier light heartedness replaced by a sense of impending seriousness. Upon arrival, Chloe turned to Rose, her trusted maid and chaperone.

"Rose, could you give us a moment alone, please?" she requested, her tone gentle but firm.

Rose nodded, looking as if she understood the gravity of the situation, and stepped out of the carriage, closing the door behind her. Anthony felt his heart pound harder in his chest. He sensed that Chloe was about to address the lingering question that had haunted both of them for years. He braced himself, knowing that whatever she asked, he had to be honest. It was time. No matter what Lord Swift was doing, he could not hold it back any longer.

Chloe took a deep breath and turned to face him, her eyes searching his face with a mixture of longing and pain. "Why did you leave without saying goodbye, Anthony?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The vulnerability in her tone pierced through Anthony's defenses. His chest tightened, and he struggled to find the right words. "Chloe…" he began, but the words caught in his throat.

He took her hands in his, their warmth grounding him. Instead of answering with words, he pulled her close, his lips finding hers in a sweet, tender kiss that said everything he had been too afraid to put in to words. Her lips were soft and warm against his, a perfect fit that spoke of years of longing and unspoken love. The kiss was gentle at first, a tentative exploration of feelings that had been buried for too long. But as the seconds stretched on, it deepened, becoming a passionate declaration of everything he had kept hidden.

When they finally parted, both breathless and flushed, the world around them seemed to shift. The carriage, the bustling streets of London, and the imposing figure of the Swift residence all faded away, leaving only the two of them and the undeniable connection that pulsed between them. The promise of a future together suddenly felt within reach, a tantalizing possibility that made Anthony's heart soar. Anthony held Chloe's hands tightly, his heart racing as he gazed into her eyes.

***

The crackling fire cast a warm glow around the study, its flames flickering shadows against the dark mahogany walls. Anthony paced back and forth, his mind a storm. His heart pounded, his breaths uneven as he replayed the events of the evening. The kiss he had shared with Chloe had been more than a simple act in their ruse; it had been a revelation. He stopped in front of the fireplace, staring into the dancing flames as if they held the answers he sought.

He had always known his feelings for Chloe were deep, but he had convinced himself they were manageable, something he could control and hide if that was what he was forced to do. Yet the moment her lips had touched his, the world had shifted. The passion, the undeniable connection, had torn down the walls he had built around his heart.

Anthony ran a hand through his hair, his fingers trembling slightly. He could still feel the softness of her lips, the warmth of her body pressed against his. It had been a moment of pure, unfiltered emotion, and it had shattered the fragile balance he had tried to maintain. The fake courtship had been a desperate gamble to protect Chloe from the advances of Lord Frampton and to buy her time from her father's relentless pressure. But it had become so much more. He could no longer pretend that his feelings for Chloe were anything less than profound, anything less than love.

Love.

He really did love her, with all of his heart. But what on earth could he do now? He thought of the years he had spent abroad, trying to forget her, trying to bury his love under the weight of his responsibilities and travels. It had all been in vain. Chloe had never left his heart, and now, standing on the precipice of losing her forever, he realized he could not continue living a lie. Anthony knew he had to confront the truth. He could no longer deceive himself or Chloe. He had to find a way to be with her, to claim her as his own and build a future together.

But the obstacles were daunting. Her father's disapproval, the social expectations, and the ever present threat of the Duke of Fladbury loomed over them like dark clouds. He clenched his fists, determination hardening his resolve. He had respected Lord Swift's wishes for far too long, allowing them to dictate his actions and keep him away from the woman he loved. But no more. It was time to fight for what he wanted, to fight for Chloe and the life they could have together.

The thought of eloping crossed his mind, a desperate, reckless plan that could free them from the constraints of society and the expectations placed upon them. The idea of whisking Chloe away to a place where they could be together without the scrutiny of her father or the Duke of Fladbury was both thrilling and terrifying. It was a drastic measure, one that would surely scandalize their families and friends. But for a brief, tantalizing moment, Anthony allowed himself to envision it. He pictured himself and Chloe, hand in hand, running through the darkened streets of London to a waiting carriage. They would flee to Gretna Green or some other remote village where they could marry without her father's interference.

They would start a new life together, far from the oppressive expectations of the ton. The image was so vivid, so tantalizing, that it nearly made his heart leap with hope. But as quickly as the thought came, reality set in. Eloping would not solve all their problems; it would only create new ones. Chloe's reputation would be in tatters, her relationship with her family irreparably damaged. And Anthony, too, would face the wrath of his mother and the potential loss of his standing in society. For his sisters as well as himself. It was too risky, too fraught with uncertainty.

He could not subject Chloe to such a precarious future, no matter how much he longed to be with her. Anthony sank into his chair, his head in his hands, grappling with the impossible choice that lay before him. The ticking of the clock on the mantel seemed to mock him, a reminder of the precious time slipping away with each passing second.

Knock, knock.

The sound shook him from his thoughts.

"Yes?"

"Can I come in?" his mother asked. "I need to speak with you."

Anthony sighed. "Of course."

His mother stepped in to the room, her brow furrowed with concern as she took in her son's troubled expression. "Oh my, what is wrong?" Her voice was gentle and coaxing, inviting him to unburden his heart.

Anthony hesitated for a moment, the words caught in his throat. But as he met his mother's gaze, he saw the love and understanding shining in her eyes, and he knew that he could no longer keep his secrets to himself.

"Mother," he began, his voice shaky, "I do not know what to do."

She moved closer, taking a seat across from him and waiting patiently for him to continue. "It is Chloe," he said, running a hand through his hair again.

"Chloe?"

"I love her." It felt like a giant weight lifting off his shoulders. "I have always loved her."

His mother stared at him, confused. "So, what is the problem?"

"There are so many obstacles in our way. Her father, Lord Frampton... society's expectations. I can not bear the thought of losing her, but I am terrified of what could happen if we try to be together."

His mother sighed softly, her expression thoughtful. "Love is never easy, Anthony. And true love is often the most difficult of all. But you must ask yourself, is it worth the fight? Is Chloe worth it?"

"Of course she is," Anthony replied without hesitation. "She is worth everything."

"Then you must be willing to take risks," she said gently. "You must be willing to face the challenges head on and find a way to be together, no matter what society thinks or what obstacles are placed before you."

Anthony nodded, but his heart was still heavy. "There is more to this than just societal expectations. Lord Swift... he has done something unforgivable. Years ago, but it still haunts us now."

"What do you mean?"

"He told me to leave Chloe alone because she needs a title, just before I left on my Grand Tour. That is why I left on my Grand Tour."

Leonora's eyes widened with shock and dismay. "Lord Swift did that? How could he be so heartless?"

"Well, he is also being heartless in trying to push Chloe to marry Lord Frampton, whom she does not like. Which is why she asked me to fake a courtship with her…"

"But how can you, when you have real feelings for her?"

Anthony's voice was raw with emotion. "I thought I could manage it, Mother. I thought I could help her without letting my own feelings get in the way. But after tonight, I realize I cannot do it anymore. I can't pretend. I cannot lie to myself or to Chloe. I love her too much."

Leonora's gaze softened. "Then you must be honest with her. She needs to know how you truly feel, and she deserves to make her own choices based on the truth. Deception, even if well intentioned, can only lead to more heart ache."

"But what if she does not want me too?"

Anthony's voice trembled with the weight of his fear. The idea of Chloe rejecting him, of her not reciprocating his feelings, was a possibility he could barely endure.

Leonora reached out and took his hand in hers, her grip warm and reassuring.

"Anthony, if Chloe truly cares for you, she will understand. She will see the sincerity in your words and actions. You must give her the chance to know the real you, not the man hiding behind a facade."

Anthony sighed deeply, his mind racing with doubts and hopes. "I want to believe that, Mother. But the risk of losing her, even as a friend, is terrifying."

"True love always involves risk, my dear," Leonora said softly. "But the rewards of that love are worth every fear, every moment of uncertainty. You owe it to yourself and to Chloe to be honest. Only then can you both find true happiness."

Her words, though simple, resonated deeply with Anthony. He knew she was right. He had to take the risk, to lay his heart bare before Chloe and hope she would accept it. The alternative… continuing to live a lie and letting her slip away, was far worse.