She turned her head swiftly, her gaze hot. “Don’t say that! Yes, he is upset, but he’s trying to accept this shocking change to his life. Just as you are doing.”
Her defense of him rankled, but what did Rafe expect? The man was a part of her life, as close as family.
They walked in silence for a moment before Anne asked, “Where will we go after the wedding? Or do you prefer to stay in London?”
He wanted to ask why she’d changed the subject but decided the park was not the place to have a conversation about his murdering uncle. “I honestly hadn’t thought that far ahead.”
The staring seemed to grow worse as they reached the intersection with another path. The Ripleys and Coltons turned to the left, but Rafe was sorely tempted to continue to the Cumberland Gate and leave the park entirely.
“You slowed down,” Anne observed. “Shall we stop?”
“Don’t we need to keep up with your chaperones?”
“Probably, but the park is very crowded. It’s not as if you can compromise me here.” She lowered her voice. “As if you hadn’t already.”
Her sensual tone drove a stake of longing straight through him. He struggled to focus on anything other than taking her in his arms. “I think I’d like to visit Stonehaven after we are wed.”
Her face softened. “Yes, of course. I imagine you’d want to see your family’s ancestral home.”
He suddenly realized his parents were buried there—Harry’s clerk had made the discovery. While he wanted to see their graves, he was anxious. Would it be too painful to see the house? Could he ever spend time there? “I want Selina to come too,” he murmured, his mind caught in the past. He wasn’t sure what was more troubling to him at the moment—the pain of that loss or the pain of potentially losing Anne.
“Certainly. Let’s catch up to Jane and the others and tell them we want to return home.”
He blinked away the fog in his brain. “We don’t have to.”
She gave him an encouraging smile and quickened her pace toward her sister, pulling him along. They were speaking with another couple to the side of the path.
“Here they are,” Jane said with a smile. “Arabella, you know my sister Anne. This is her betrothed, Mr. Raphael Mallory, soon to be the Earl of Stone. May I present the Duke and Duchess of Halstead?”
Anne glanced up at him. “Arabella was a founding member of the Spitfire Society and is a dear friend of Jane and Phoebe’s. She and her husband have been in the country the past several weeks—the duke unexpectedly inherited his title. Perhaps he has advice for you on suddenly becoming a peer.”
Halstead, dark-haired and dark-eyed, with an easy smile, inclined his head toward Rafe. “I’d be happy to share a brandy—or ten—and tell you all about it. I understand you’re about to become an earl.” His gaze turned sympathetic. “The situation is entirely different, however,” he added softly. “My condolences.”
He’d apparently heard the entire story. Rafe appreciated the man’s sentiment. “Thank you.”
Jane sidled closer to Anne and Rafe as Anthony began speaking with the others. “It seems the entire park is talking about Rafe’s claim. Do you want to continue, or would you rather return home?”
“Home,” Anne answered quickly.
Nodding, Jane suggested they could all return to Grosvenor Street for refreshment if they were so inclined.
As they left the park through the closest gate, Rafe felt a surge of relief. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to face the gossip. He didn’t particularly care. But he was bound to meet more people who’d known his parents, and after thinking of their graves, he wasn’t ready for that. Not today. Not on top of grappling with what he was going to say to Anne. And when.
“Will you mind if I don’t stay?” he asked Anne.
“Of course not. I mean, I’ll miss you, but I understand. Truly.” She stroked his forearm with her free hand. “That just gives me more time to look forward to tomorrow. And all the days after that.”
He longed to kiss her, to thank her for her unwavering support and love. Things he didn’t deserve.
Chapter 14
Jane was already in the drawing room when Anne walked in on Thursday evening. Anthony hadn’t yet returned from Westminster. Rafe, as well as her godfather and Lorcan, would arrive shortly. She was nervous about having them all together, but hopefully Lorcan’s presence would ensure his father and Rafe got along. She’d tried to speak with Lorcan about whether his father meant to contest Rafe’s claim, but hadn’t been able to.
“Your ring is so beautiful,” Jane said, taking Anne’s left hand and holding it up so the diamond and emeralds sparkled in the light of the chandelier.
Rafe had given her the betrothal ring the night before at his sister’s house. It had been a wonderful evening of warmth and laughter. Of family. Despite that, there’d been something off about Rafe, as if the darkness she sometimes sensed inside him had been more present. Unfortunately, she hadn’t had an opportunity to speak with him about it. They’d only been alone a scant few minutes at the start of the evening when he’d given her the ring before his sisters had excitedly burst in to congratulate them.
Anthony strode into the room, making his way directly to Jane and placing a kiss on her cheek. He looked a bit harried. “My apologies for nearly being late.”
Jane took his head. “Is everything all right?”
“Depends on what that means, I suppose. It’s all right for me. And for you, probably. For Anne’s betrothed?” He sent a sympathetic glance toward Anne.
Anxiety pushed at Anne’s chest. “What happened?”
“It’s expected that the attorney general will refer Mallory’s claim to the Committee for Privileges tomorrow.”
“That’s what’s supposed to happen,” Anne said, wondering why Anthony thought this was bad for Rafe.
Unfortunately, Purcell entered at that moment and announced the arrival of Anne’s godfather and cousin.
“Good evening, my dear,” her godfather said
