"Indeed?"

"You intend to marry Rachel."

Anthony was caught off guard despite himself. Gads, he had only come to that conclusion a few hours before. How the blazes could this man have ascertained the contents of his heart?

"You sound very certain."

"If I were not so certain I would have put an end to your familiarity with Rachel days ago."

There was a dangerous edge to his voice that went a shiver down Anthony's spine. Clearly the rumors surrounding the Devilish Dandy were not exaggerated, he reluctantly acknowledged. Those green eyes held enough ruthless warning that he couldn't help but be relieved that he was not merely toying with Rachel's affections.

"Very well. I have every intention of asking Rachel to be my wife," Anthony conceded, his smile twisting as he thought of his elusive prey. "Unfortunately I am far from certain of her response."

It was the older gentleman's turn to be taken aback.

"Surely you do not doubt her love for you?"

Anthony thought briefly of Rachel's sweet response to his touch, the manner her gaze sought him out when she entered the room, and her open pleasure when in his company.

"I believe she has become attached to me," he conceded, his lips thinning with impatience when he considered her stubborn insistence never to wed. "But she has managed to convince herself she is of an unsteady temperament and incapable of being a good wife and mother."

"Unstable temperament? That is absurd," the older man scoffed.

"My thoughts precisely. Rachel, however, believes herself far too like you, sir."

Surprisingly, the Devilish Dandy flinched, as if he had been struck.

"I suppose I deserve that. I was a wretched father," he conceded in low tones. "Not only did I fail to give my daughters a proper home, but I rarely considered how my less-than-respectable behavior would reflect on them. It was only when I was obliged to spend my days staring at the nearby hangman that I truly realized just how selfish I had been. They deserved so much more than I had given them. I swore that if I was ever freed I would devote myself to ensuring they found the happiness that I did not give to them." He paused, regarding Anthony with an unwavering gaze. "I believe that you can offer Rachel that happiness."

Anthony gave a slow nod of his head. "As do I. It is just a matter of convincing Rachel."

"I do not doubt if anyone can, it is you."

Anthony took a measure of comfort from his words. Rachel could be annoyingly stubborn, but she was not stupid. Surely with a bit of encouragement she would realize her fears were groundless.

Knowing that only time would tell, he turned the conversation away from his troubles.

"Why did you seek me out?"

With an elegant motion the Devilish Dandy strolled toward the blazing fire that battled the damp chill in the air. Anthony felt his intrigue return as he detected the fine tension that stiffened the lean body.

"As I told you, I made a promise to myself when I was in Newgate that I would devote myself to my daughter's happiness," he at last murmured, slowly turning to face Anthony with a somber expression. "Rather late, I will be the first to admit, but my intentions are sincere. I have seen Sarah and Emma make suitable matches. I have only to assure myself that Rachel will be safely settled before I can live out my life in obscure retirement in a small villa I own in Italy."

Anthony raised his brows. "And so you only wished to assure yourself that I meant to propose to Rachel?"

He smiled wryly. "Not precisely."

"I thought not."

"Although my intention on coming to Surrey was merely to prevent Rachel from any outrageous antics, I have found myself extraordinarily distracted," he confessed.

It did not take a scholar to guess the identity of the older gentleman's distraction.

"Miss Carlfield?"

"Yes." He gave a humorless laugh. "For a gentleman of mature years I have become very foolish."

Anthony possessed a measure of sympathy for his companion. He was rapidly discovering that love occurred without warning and without sympathy for those it struck.

"I suppose it is my turn to inquire of your intentions toward my cousin."

"My intention was simply to offer her a means of escape from her untenable position." The Devilish Dandy left the fireplace to restlessly pace toward the towering bookcase. "I could not stand aside and watch her barter herself to a gentleman who would ruthlessly destroy her delicate spirit."

"An admirable s-sentiment," Anthony murmured, easily able to recognize the allure of a sweet, helpless maiden in dire trouble to a jaded sophisticate.

"But she refused my offers of money and even the promise to pay off her father's debts." He gave a frustrated shake of his head. "She claimed there was only one means of help that she would accept."

"And what was that?"

"Marriage."

"You intend to elope with Violet?"

"Yes." The green eyes blazed with determination. "Before you begin your protests, allow me to assure you that I have already confessed my true identity and spoken on the vast differences in our ages. I have also warned her that young maidens often imagine themselves in love with the first convenient gentleman when they are being compelled into an unwanted marriage."

"But she refused to listen to reason?"

The Devilish Dandy grimaced. "She claims that her love is genuine and unshakable."

Although Anthony was not extraordinarily close to Violet, he did not believe she was a witless chit. She was certainly capable of knowing her own heart.

"And what are your feelings?"

"I love her," he said with a simple sincerity. "I wish to take her to Italy."

There was a determination in his voice that assured Anthony that he had made his decision and nothing would sway him from his purpose. Certainly not any protest that Anthony might raise.

"Since you are in no need of my blessing I assume there is something else you require from me?"

The lazy smile returned. "As I noted, you are very perceptive."

"What is it?"

"I intend to leave here Wednesday on the pretext of visiting nearby acquaintances. I wish for you to escort Rachel back to London on Thursday."

"It will, of course, be my pleasure to escort Rachel," Anthony agreed, his gaze narrowing. "I am curious to learn, however, how you intend to spirit Violet away from this house."

The Devilish Dandy lifted his shoulders in a nonchalant motion.

"I will return to London and arrange our travel to Italy. Next week Violet is expected to travel to stay with her cousin. Along the way she will stay at an inn. I will meet her there and we will leave during the night. By the time Mr. Carlfield realizes that she has disappeared it will be too late to halt us."

"A s-simple but no doubt effective plan," Anthony congratulated.

The older gentleman eyed Anthony squarely. "May I count on your support?"

Although Anthony was not entirely convinced that the Devilish Dandy was an appropriate husband for his young cousin, he did know that he was far preferable to Mr. Wingrove. At least she would not be browbeaten and humiliated until her soul was broken.

"I want your promise that you will treat Violet with the respect and consideration due her."

A startlingly tender expression softened the lean features. "She is more precious to me than my own life. I will do everything in my power to make her happy. And to make certain that she is not forced to remain with me out of necessity I will make provisions for a suitable allowance that will continue even if she chooses to leave Italy."

Anthony knew he could not ask for more. It was up to Violet to train this gentleman in the duties of being a proper husband. And he had an odd premonition that she was just the lady to accomplish the difficult task.

"I suppose you could be no worse than Mr. Wingrove," he conceded with a faint smile.

The Devilish Dandy offered him a sardonic bow. "Thank you."

"And I will admit to a rather reprehensible desire to know that my uncle will be forced to step from behind his daughter's skirts and accept his fate like a man."

"Yes," the Devilish Dandy agreed with a wicked smile.

"You may depend upon me," Anthony assured the older gentleman.

"Thank you." He walked to the door and turned the lock, then he glanced over his shoulder. "You will let me know when the wedding is arranged?"

Wedding.

Anthony felt his heart leap with anticipation.

"But, of course."

"Take care of Rachel. She is not nearly so invincible as she would have others believe."

"She will be cherished as the greatest treasure it has ever been my fortune to discover."

The gentleman gave a slow nod of his head, then pulling open the door, he swiftly disappeared into the hall.

Left on his own, Anthony breathed out a small sigh. Although he was not particularly dismayed at the thought of having the Devilish Dandy as a father-in-law, he was not sorry he would be soon on his way to Italy. Having one volatile, highly unpredictable Cresswell in his life was quite enough.

The thought was just passing through his mind when the sound of footsteps could be heard and Rachel herself appeared in the doorway.

As always he felt a thrill of pleasure at the mere sight of her. This evening she looked delectable in a peacock-blue satin gown, her golden curls pulled back by a matching ribbon.

He could not deny a faint hint of annoyance, however, as he noted her clear eyes and flawless skin. She obviously had not devoted her night to pacing the floor and searching her heart for the truth of her emotions as he had done. Indeed, she appeared to have slept without a care in the world.

"Good evening, Rachel."

Stepping into the room, she offered him a faint frown. "Was that my uncle who just left?"

Having determined that the Devilish Dandy did not intend to reveal his upcoming marriage to his daughter, Anthony realized he would have to guard his tongue.

"Yes."

"What were you discussing?"

Anthony shrugged in a negligent manner, hoping to ease the wariness he could sense shrouded about her.

"He has decided to leave on Wednesday to visit a few acquaintances nearby and requested that I escort you back to London on the following day."

"Acquaintances? What acquaintances?" she demanded in sharp tones.

"He did not offer any particular names and I did not feel it my place to quiz him."

"He knows no one in Surrey," she muttered. "What is he up to?"

Hoping to distract her all too quick wits, Anthony smiled in a knowing manner.

"Perhaps he is merely seeking an excuse to leave early without offending Mr. Carlfield. Your uncle is hardly the sort to enjoy rusticating in the country."

"My uncle may not enjoy rusticating in the country, but he does delight in offending others," she pointed out in dry tones. "If he wished to leave, he would make sure that Mr. Carlfield was fully aware of his reason for departing."

"Does it truly matter?"

"Yes. It is very worrisome."

He slowly strolled forward. "What is w-worri-some? The thought of having to share my carriage back to London?"

"Of course not," she denied with a hint of impatience. "I was referring to my uncle."

"He is no doubt capable of taking care of himself."

"I am not nearly so confident," she muttered, clearly disturbed at the thought of her father loosened upon the world without her restraining presence. Anthony could not entirely blame her. No doubt she worried that his rather nasty habits from the past might return and plunge him straight back to Newgate.

Barely aware of his movements, Anthony discreetly checked to make sure that he still had his valuables. Then, with an amused shake of his head at the realization that gentleman would hopefully be his father-in-law, he sought to change the subject.

"Tell me, did you visit Julia this afternoon?" he demanded.

His ploy was thankfully successful as the concern eased from her lovely face and a pleased sparkle entered the hazel eyes.

"Yes. She could speak of nothing but the ball."

"No ill effects from her late night?"

"None at all. I do believe that she has never been happier."

The vague concern that had been steadily building within Anthony brought a frown to his brow.

"A rather disturbing thought," he said softly.