Stephenson’s attention went over Annie’s head to meet Gerald’s eyes. Gerald stepped to one side and gave him his best bow. “I’m Carbrooke,” he said, in his haughtiest tones.
Annie blinked at him. He concentrated on Stephenson, who gave a stiff bow in response. Nowhere near as graceful as his, Gerald noted in satisfaction.
For some reason this man annoyed him. Gerald was a strong proponent of ‘live and let live,’ but Stephenson’s stern mien and his air of ownership rubbed Gerald the wrong way.
“My dear,” he said to Annie, taking her hand and brushing his lips over the back of it. He frowned at Gerald. “You are perhaps ordering silver wire, my lord?” His tones told Gerald how unbelievable that statement was.
“Visiting a friend,” Gerald said mendaciously. “I used to live on Bunhill Row, not very far from here. I have since moved to Mayfair.”
Stephenson’s brow cleared. “Ah! I read about you, did I not? You are the distant cousin who inherited the earldom!”
“I am.” Why should he be ashamed of that? There was definitely a sneering edge to Stephenson’s tones. “We found the house conducive to our needs.” And far away enough from the fashionable world to deter visitors. He’d have told Annie that, but not this stranger. He stood too close to her. She watched him, pale-faced. “Mr. Stephenson is my current landlord,” she said to Gerald. “We are discussing the possibility of my taking the house next door.”
“Actually my dear, I came to discuss the vermin problem with you.” He glanced at Gerald, including him in the conversation. “The house next door has been empty for such a long time that I’m afraid it has fallen into disrepair. I will engage to rid the place of the vermin calling it their home, but I fear it will take some time to do the necessary repairs. I cannot possibly allow you to lease it in such a condition.”
“Reduce the price and I’ll undertake to furbish it up,” Annie said promptly. “Then I may have it exactly as I wish.”
Stephenson’s indulgent smile put Gerald’s teeth on edge, so the Lord knew what it was doing to Annie’s molars. “My dear, I would not dream of it. In fact, we should make our announcement as soon as we can. Then you may undertake your new role without delay.”
Moving closer, Stephenson took Annie’s arm and threaded it through the crook of his arm. Annie’s eyes widened. She looked like nothing so much as a shocked sheep. As that expression rapidly disappeared it was replaced by something that made Gerald very glad it was not directed at him. “We are, in fact, betrothed,” Stephenson concluded.
Annie dragged her arm free and took a step back, which nearly sent her into Gerald’s arms. He would not have been sorry for that. “I told you, sir, I wanted time, and I meant it. I have to consider the welfare of my children and my workers before I can agree to take such a step.”
Stephenson’s expression hardened, his cheekbones going a livid red. “I gave you the time you needed.”
“I want more. You agreed to more.”
While some people might have retreated to give the couple the privacy they obviously needed Gerald was not inclined to do so. His protective instincts rose, even though he had no right to interfere and Annie would probably not thank him for doing so. Was she truly considering throwing herself away on such a man? He could scarcely believe it. She was far too good for that. To bury herself under the shield of someone like Stephenson would be to immure herself alive.
“Madam, my offer stands,” he said. “The offer to show you around the other property. I fear it won’t be adequate to your needs, but it may offer other benefits.” Like freedom from the landlord. He would educate himself about this man. He had never heard of him before, but City and County rarely mingled. Even when he’d lived locally, he didn’t have the acquaintance of many people hereabouts. What would be the point, when his sisters and himself were perfectly happy as they were?
“Thank you, my lord.” Her voice trembled, but not, he suspected, in fear. She was furious, her eyes blazing. “I will speak frankly, Mr. Stephenson, if I may. While I am of course appreciative of your generous offer, I wish to take every aspect of the proposal into consideration. I have no husband to look at these matters, nor am I in need of one, but I do have a duty to ensure that my late husband’s wishes are fulfilled. I am anxious to do that. Sir, if I were married to you, and distressingly widowed, you would wish me to do the same, would you not?”