For so long she had lived for the moment, unwilling to consider the future out of fear that she would see the stark loneliness that awaited her. But Anthony had changed all that. He had forced her to consider a future with him. A future that included a husband and children. A future filled with love.

He believed in her, she had slowly acknowledged with a thrill of warmth. He believed that she was not doomed to follow in the footsteps of her father. That she could become as steadfast and loyal as her mother. And it was that faith that had slowly stirred a belief in herself.

It was true that she possessed her father's reckless spirit, but she also possessed an unwavering love to those she held dear.

And she did love Anthony Clarke.

Her steps felt lighter as she crossed the parkland, just thinking of the man who had so disrupted her life.

He was simply everything a woman could possibly desire in a gentleman, she acknowledged. He was kind, he possessed a clever wit, and he made her feel the most wicked sensations when he was near. He had also revealed his extraordinary patience when he had been with Julia. He would make a wonderful husband and father.

The thought of Julia abruptly brought her back to her senses.

She would have ample opportunity to moon over the pleasure of possessing Anthony as a husband, she sternly lectured herself. This morning she needed to concentrate on her upcoming confrontation with Lady Broswell. She was not foolish enough to underestimate the wily old woman. It would not be a simple matter to outwit her.

Stepping into the fringe of the woods, Rachel absently opened her reticule to ensure she had the brooch with her. She knew that having such tangible proof of Mary's infidelity would be vital.

It was the rustle of leaves beside her that abruptly brought her head up. Her heart skipped a beat as a shadow fell across the path, then a large form emerged from behind a tree.

She stepped back, but as her gaze caught sight of a familiar black coat and perfect shoulders her fear melted to a fond exasperation.

"Anthony, you nearly scared me witless."

There was no apology on his handsome countenance as he regarded her in a stern manner.

"I thought you might be passing by here this morning."

She heaved an inward sigh. She had managed to avoid his attempts to coerce her into confessing her plans last evening by the simple means of retiring to her chambers. She should have realized that he would not give up his pursuit so easily.

She smiled as she realized that she would have to recall this unfortunately tenacious tendency of his in the future. He would not be an easy husband to fool.

"Why are you skulking in these woods?"

His arms crossed his chest in an ominous manner. "I wished to speak with you."

Rachel ignored the hint of warning in his voice. She was not about to discuss her plans with Anthony. At least not until she was certain she had succeeded. This was the last thing she intended to do completely on her own. She owed it to her mother. For her memory Rachel would make sure that another poor girl did not suffer her fate.

"I fear it will have to wait," she said in brisk tones. "I have an appointment this morning."

The dark eyes narrowed. "No, it can not wait."

She gave an impatient click of her tongue. "Really, Anthony, I will be less than an hour. Whatever you have to say can surely wait."

"No."

There was no mistaking his tone of voice and Rachel resigned herself to the notion she would have to hear him out.

Not that she minded spending time with her beloved, she silently acknowledged. The mere sight of him was enough to make her stomach quiver in the most fascinating fashion. But she preferred to have her business over and done with so that she could concentrate on this gentleman with no further distractions.

"Very well," she conceded. "What is it?"

"I think you should know that I have spoken with your father."

It was not at all what she had been expecting and she instinctively stiffened in alarm.

"My father?"

"Yes. I know that your uncle Foxworth is in truth the Devilish Dandy."

"I see."

As always he easily read the wariness in her eyes. He offered her a reassuring smile.

"Do not worry. I have no intention of revealing his identity. After all, I have no desire to have my father-in-law lodged in Newgate."

In truth Rachel had not for a moment feared Anthony would reveal her father. She was far more concerned that he would be angered by their charade.

"What did you discuss?"

"Your strange obsession to have revenge on Lady Broswell."

"I have already explained my reasons."

He stepped closer, his all too knowing eyes searching her guarded expression.

"You failed to mention that Lady Broswell is your aunt."

Rachel could not disguise her shock. "My father told you that?"

"I believe he wished me to understand your anger." His expression abruptly softened. "And I do understand, Rachel. It is not p-pleasant to be considered an embarrassment to your own family."

"No, it is not," she agreed, although she was surprised to discover she felt none of the pain she normally experienced when she thought of her aunt and her cold dismissal of her own sister's family.

"I also understand the desire to strike back at those who have treated you with less respect than you deserve. But I assure you, my dear, that revenge is a hollow victory."

"This is not revenge," she denied. "This is justice."

His lips thinned. "Do you intend to reveal Mary's indiscretion to her mother?"

"Yes," Rachel admitted, refusing to lie.

"And you claim that it is justice?"

"It will be."

"No, it will not. Justice is righting a wrong, not striking out to wound another because they have wounded you."

She met his gaze steadily. "I intend to right a wrong."

"Rachel," he muttered in impatience, reaching out to grasp her upper arms.

Leaning forward, Rachel placed her hands upon the solid strength of his chest, breathing deeply of his warm scent.

"Tell me, Anthony, did you mean what you said yesterday?"

The dark eyes abruptly smoldered with a satisfying desire.

"When I said that I wanted you to be my wife?"

"Yes."

"Of course I m-meant it," he growled. "I want you to be in my life for an eternity."

Rachel smiled. An eternity. At the moment it did not seem nearly long enough.

"That is what I want as well."

He groaned deep in his throat as his arms wrapped about her and squeezed her tight enough to make her fear for her ribs.

"Good God, you do not have any notion of how happy you have made me."

"No happier than myself," she confessed, laying her head against his chest so she could hear the thunderous beat of his heart. "For so long I have believed I would always be alone. Now I can not conceive of a future without you."

He slowly pulled back so he could view her delicately flushed features.

"That was never to be. From the moment I saw you in the opera house you have belonged to me."

"I will no doubt drive you mad upon occasion," she could not resist warning him.

His lips twitched. "No doubt."

"And you will not be allowed to disappear into your workroom without me."

"I would not countenance it." His hand moved tantalizingly down to her lower back. "There is a very comfortable sofa in there that I believe will be perfect for the project I intend to devote my attention to for the next several years."

She shivered. "Anthony."

"Do I shock you?"

"Nothing shocks the daughter of the Devilish Dandy," she assured him, her smile filled with promise.

A sudden heat flared along the lines of his cheekbones. "Gads, I do not think I can bear to wait for the banns to be read. Still, I suppose you will desire a proper wedding?"

"Proper?" She wrinkled her nose in distaste. "Good heavens, no. I do have a reputation to uphold. I would far prefer to elope."

He gave a pleased chuckle. "I believe a special license is as daring as I wish to be."

Rachel heaved a teasing sigh. "I knew that you would be wretchedly respectable."

"Does that disappoint you?"

She gazed deep into his dark eyes. "Not as long as you love me."

"Forever." He loosened his grip so he could lift a hand and gently cup her cheek. "Shall we return to the house? I have a great deal to accomplish if we are soon to be wed."

Rachel smiled wryly as she stepped backward. She did not wish to battle with her brand new fiance, but she was determined to finish her business with Lady Broswell.

"I must visit Broswell Park first. There is something I must do."

"Dash it all, Rachel," he growled. "I thought you had given up this ludicrous notion."

"Anthony, you said that you loved me. Do you trust me?" she demanded with soft insistence.

Caught in a web of his own making, he offered her a rueful smile.

"Of course I do."

"Then wait for me here. I will soon return."

"Wait." He held up a slender hand. "If you are determined to go through with this then I will come with you."

"No. I must do this on my own."

"Rachel."

"Trust me."

He briefly closed his eyes as he gave a shake of his head. "Gads, I will no doubt regret this. You are a very bad influence on me."

"I do try."

With a teasing glance she moved to brush her lips over his own before spinning away and heading up the path.

Feeling very much like one of the caged lions he had once witnessed in the Tower of London, Anthony paced through the small opening with increasing impatience.

Damn. He should never have allowed Rachel to go without him.

It was not that he feared for her safety. Lady Broswell might be a heartless, shallow witch, but she was not violent. And he certainly had no concern for the shock and embarrassment the Broswell family was about to receive. They more than deserved whatever revenge Rachel might choose to dish out.

What bothered him was the fear that Rachel would soon deeply regret striking out in anger. He knew better than anyone that in time her tender heart would be struck with remorse. He feared that she did not realize the high cost of revenge.

On the point of giving in to his impulse to leave the woods and physically remove her from Broswell Park, Anthony breathed a sigh of relief as he heard the rustle of approaching footsteps. With jerky movements he moved up the path, grasping his headstrong fiancee's arms the moment she came into view.

"Rachel, what the devil took you so long?"

Appearing far more pleased than he had expected, she smiled into his anxious eyes.