drove through Berkley Square.
“You’re tired today,” Jane noted from beside her.
“I slept rather fitfully.”
“Because of the betrothal?” Jane had been thrilled for Anne, if surprised that Rafe had actually proposed since there had been no official courtship. She’d noted that people would find that of interest. Anne had said she planned to tell people that they’d met at Ivy Grove and their courtship had been swift.
“And the story in the paper.” Anne had wanted to see Rafe after reading the article identifying him as the presumed dead heir to the Earl of Stone. But she’d settled for sending him a note saying she was thinking of him. She’d yet to receive a response, which had probably also contributed to her sleeplessness.
“I am curious to find out your godfather’s reaction to that newspaper story,” Jane said as the coach turned onto Bruton Street and came to a stop in front of the current Earl of Stone’s residence.
Anne imagined he wasn’t pleased. However, he couldn’t avoid the inevitable. Rafe would be declared the earl. “We will discover it shortly,” she said to her sister as the coachman opened the door.
A few minutes later, they sat in the drawing room awaiting Anne’s godfather’s arrival. This time, Jane would remain with her for the entire visit.
Her godfather hurried into the room, his features taut with distress. “Ah, Anne, and Lady Colton.” A weak smile stretched his lips. “I’m afraid you’ve caught me on my way out.”
“I see,” Anne said pleasantly, afraid that he was, in fact, very upset about the newspaper article. “I came to share some news.”
“Oh?” He stood a moment longer before taking a seat, though he was clearly ready to leave as soon as Anne said what she came to say.
She hesitated, wanting to ask him about his agitation first, but ultimately revealed her news. “Yesterday, I became betrothed to your nephew.”
Anne didn’t think it was possible for the earl to sit any farther forward on the edge of the chair, but he did. His eyes rounded and his jaw dropped. “What? How?” he sputtered.
“After we met at Ivy Grove, we found we had much in common. He has called on me a few times,” she fibbed, “and we decided we suit. I expected you would be happy since you were so intent on reintroducing me to the Marriage Mart. Furthermore, I am actually marrying into your family. Isn’t it wonderful?”
He blinked several times. “Yes, of course. I’m just surprised. You didn’t mention he was courting you when you visited the other day.”
The skepticism in his tone was slightly annoying. “Things happened rather quickly. I really can’t tell if you’re pleased or not. Is this because you’re planning to contest Rafe’s claim to the title?”
“I still haven’t decided. But I must do so very soon because his claim was presented today. I expect you already know that.”
She didn’t, and that disappointed her. “I want you to know what a good person Rafe is. There is much you don’t know about him.”
“Then please inform me,” he said, settling back in the chair and trying to appear serene despite the tic in his jaw.
Hesitating, Anne glanced at her sister. Should she reveal what she knew of Rafe? The things he kept private and only very recently exposed to her? “He just is.”
“Unless you can point to something that proves what you say, I’m afraid I’ll need to reserve judgment.”
Frustrated by her godfather’s behavior and driven by the need to defend the man she loved, Anne turned her back on caution and hoped Rafe would understand. “He owns a bookshop on Paternoster Row and has for some time. He’s made wise investments and built a considerable fortune. He helps orphans find employment and provides them housing if they need it. He is liked and respected in Cheapside.” She recalled all the people who knew him from when they’d visited Paternoster Row and Cheapside during their stolen afternoons. Every one of them—and there were many—had greeted him warmly.
“So that’s where he lived before?” her godfather asked. “Cheapside?”
“Yes.” She thought of his house there and how his wife hadn’t lived at that residence. It bothered her that she didn’t know where he’d lived before then, but she was still learning all there was to know about him, just as he was about her.
Her godfather tipped his head to the side. “Will he continue in trade, I wonder?”
“Does it matter?” Jane asked, saying what Anne was thinking.
“I suppose not.” He pursed his lips and stared at Anne