He stepped into her room as easily as if he’d entered it from the hall, laughing as her hands touched him, catching them and bringing them to his lips. ‘You thought I would come to harm from Barton?’
She looked at him incredulously. ‘I was terrified. You must have known what I would think.’
‘That I would go into the darkness and let him brawl with me, in a public park? Not knowing who he might have brought with him for aid or what trap might await me? I’m sorry to disappoint you, darling, but I ran like a rabbit until I was quite sure he was lost on the paths, and then I came here. And I can assure you; I am quite unharmed.’ He placed her hands against his chest again. ‘But you may touch me as much as you like. I find it most pleasant.’
She snatched her hands away and turned from him. ‘I was a fool to agree to this. I should never have allowed you to come. I put you at risk for helping me, and you treat it as if it were a joke. But I thought you deserved a warning. Barton knows I had help getting the deed. And yesterday he forced his way into my home and took it back. After tonight, he must know it was you who helped me. He wants revenge. He means to hurt you.’
Anthony laughed. ‘I gathered that. I wish him luck in it.’
‘Do not talk that way. You do not understand what he is capable of.’
He smiled. ‘I am sorry, but so many men have threatened me over the years. I am still here, and quite whole.’ He stood before her, hands outspread, inviting another examination. When she did not reach for him, he became serious again. ‘I thank you for the warning, although I am not particularly concerned by Barton’s threats. And what might all that have to do with your kissing him in a public place?’
‘You saw?’
‘Indeed. You were not enjoying it? Because you appeared most enthusiastic.’ His smile was gone, and his tone demanded an explanation.
‘What choice do I have? He gave me a demonstration yesterday of the depths he is willing to stoop to ensure my obedience. He beat my servants. He tortured my maid before my very eyes, until I gave him the key to my house. And threatened to do the same to you if I did not submit to him.
‘He has everything, and yet he wants more from me. I have no money, no power in this. But I cannot allow him to hurt you. And he would, since he knows how it might hurt me.’ Her hands had begun to shake and her breathing was becoming unsteady. If she did not get hold of herself, she would be gasping, and the gasps would turn to sobs. And she feared the crying would never stop.
‘And why did you not come to me when I asked you to?’ His voice was gentle.
‘He is watching me. Every move I make. He was waiting for me to go to you, so that…He said…’ She closed her eyes. ‘That he would know who helped me, because I would go to him, or he would come to me, just as you did tonight. And when he found you out, he would get back at you. It would go hard for you, but it would go harder still if I did not co-operate. He said that I must tell you he knows what you are seeking more than the deed. He will kill you, if you try again. There might be clemency, if I do as he says. But if I resist, he will take pleasure in hurting you, and that I should know that it would be all my fault.’ She stared at him, willing him to understand enough to be worried.
But he laughed. ‘That is all, then?’
‘Tonight, when we danced, he suspected. And then you taunted him and removed all doubt. How could you be so foolish?’
‘I could not help it. He stood there, all puffed up like an angry red balloon. It was too tempting to deflate him.’
‘You called him traitor.’
‘Because he is one,’ Tony replied simply.
‘And so you know he has nothing to lose. He is angrier still and will be watching us both. For all I know he has followed you here tonight.’
‘He did not follow me,’ he reassured her. ‘No one knows I am here. You need have no fear of it.’
She smiled in relief. ‘If he does not know where to find you, then you are safe for now. But he must know your direction. He will try to find you there. He may be waiting for you at your home, even now.’
‘Very astute of you. That is exactly where he is. I followed him to my home and have seen him, watching my house. I left him catching a chill on the street corner, waiting for me to return, so that he could do me mischief. And I have set a man of my own to watch the watcher. If Barton moves from the spot, he will not get far.’
She reached out to clasp his hand. ‘Then you can get away. Leave from here. Leave tonight. Get out of the country. Go to the Continent, or perhaps the Americas. I do not care. But swear to me that you will be far away from here by morning, so that I need have no fear for you.’
He smiled and shook his head. ‘And what will become of you, if I leave?’
‘He does not mean to hurt me. He has assured me of that.’
‘He will be quite public about keeping you, and everyone will know it. Think of what you will lose, Constance. Your friends. The prospects you held so dear, even this morning. All of it will be gone.’
‘Honour is only an idea. It will not hurt to lose it. I am no innocent, Tony. I know what must be done, and it means nothing, compared to your life. It does not matter to me, as long as I know you are safe.’
‘You would be willing to ruin yourself, to preserve my miserable hide?’ His eyes were serious. Then his face spread in a lazy grin, but he showed no sign of taking his leave. ‘On the contrary, I think it matters a great deal.’
‘Not to me. Not any more. I will go to him if I must. If that is what it takes to keep you safe. But you must leave him alone. Whatever you are after, do not seek it in his house. Has no one told you that it is wrong to steal? It was only a matter of time before you met someone like Barton, who was worse than you and could punish you for your crimes.’
He waved the argument aside, his grin wide and without care. ‘Leave off with your begging, for I am not moving from this spot until I am good and ready. But tell me again, because I love to hear you say it—you do not go to him by choice?’
‘Of course not. The man is horrid.’
‘And you are only tolerating his attentions to protect me?’ he prompted.
‘I cannot let this go any further. He will not have you, if there is anything I can do to prevent it.’
Anthony sighed and fixed her with his smile. ‘I cannot tell you how relieved I am to hear that. I thought your problem was something serious, or difficult. Or that you secretly fancied Barton and were using me to control him. But you are trying to save me?’ He laughed. ‘And that is all? Do not worry. You need do nothing. I will take care of everything.’
She paced the room, wringing her handkerchief in her hands. ‘You will go back out the window to search his rooms, and I am to stay here and wait for a report of your death? I vow, your offer of assistance is most welcome, but there is nothing you can do that will not put you in greater jeopardy.’
Tony replied, with gentle insistence. ‘You need have no fear. Relax. Let everything to me.’
‘That is what my late husband said. Do not worry, Constance. Do not be such a goose. Everything will be fine. I trusted him in all things, and look what I have come to. Barton means to have me and kill you. It is too late for me. But you can still escape him. Run, Tony. Run far away. If you come to harm because of me, I swear I shall go mad.’
He moved as silently as a cat and was upon her before she realised, taking her by the shoulders and pinning her to the wall to stop her pacing. He looked down into her face with his wild smile and dream-filled eyes, and said, ‘I shall go mad, if I must watch you make another circuit