Free The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh by Ella Quinn Page A

well?”
    Rutherford gave her an identical smile in return. “She is well, ma’am.”
    Raising his quizzing glass, he perused Percy. “Not been to London recently, Blanchard?”
    Percy turned a bright shade of red under Rutherford’s scrutiny.
    â€œNo,” Percy answered. “I like to affect my own style.”
    Rutherford’s lips curved up, just missing a sneer. “You certainly have achieved that.”
    Percy looked at Rutherford as if he wasn’t sure if he’d been insulted or not. Percy attempted to ignore Rutherford and engage Anna in conversation. Yet every time Percy asked Anna a question, Rutherford answered it. She thought of interceding, but as her goal was to rid herself of Percy, she remained silent. Besides, Rutherford’s manners were excellent, if ruthless.
    Anna spoke softly to her aunt and Lady Blanchard, whose color became higher with each subtle barb planted in her son by Rutherford.
    By the time he said, “Really, Percy, one cannot discount the benefits of acquiring a little Town bronze,” Anna thought Lady Blanchard was going to have apoplexy.
    Then Percy responded, “If you like, my lord, we can take our discussion outside.”
    Rutherford’s smile made Anna think of a cat that had caught a mouse.
    â€œIndeed, we could take a look at the fountain.”
    Percy’s complexion paled, then grew more florid than it had been before. “I think you will find, my lord, I have grown.”
    Rutherford’s eyes were wide and innocent. “Come then, and you can show me.”
    Before their not so veiled threats could go any further, Aunt Lillian made a point of glancing at the clock. “My, look at the time.”
    â€œPercy, we must be going,” his mother said. “We’ve remained as long as is proper.”
    Percy’s chin jutted out belligerently. “Is Rutherford leaving?”
    Rutherford stood. “I will definitely walk with you to the door.”
    Anna and Aunt Lillian rose as well. Lillian kept Lady Blanchard engaged whilst Anna strained to hear Rutherford’s conversation with Percy.
    Rutherford took Percy’s arm and leaned close. “Leave Miss Marsh alone, Blanchard, or the fountain will be the least of your worries.”
    â€œYou have no right,” Percy sputtered.
    â€œI am taking the right,” Rutherford growled.
    Percy seemed unable to form an intelligible sentence in return.
    Once the door closed behind the Blanchards, Anna lifted her gaze to the ceiling for a moment. “Oh, dear, that was bad. Sebastian, I think you’ve forever made an enemy of Lady Blanchard.”
    â€œI only hope it did the trick.” He escorted Anna back to the drawing room. “You know—well you don’t know, so I’ll tell you, Lady Blanchard told my mother she thought Percy would make a good match for you.”
    â€œ What? ” Anna gasped. How appalling. “When did you hear that?”
    â€œToday. My sisters told me.”
    She turned to her aunt. “Do you know anything of this?”
    â€œYes,” Aunt Lillian answered. “She’s spread it all around the county, or at least in our part of it.”
    â€œI cannot believe her gall. Just the thought makes me ill. I wouldn’t marry Percy Blanchard if he were the last man on earth. I do hope he’s not going to become more of a pest than he already is.”
    Rutherford, who’d been grinning with unholy glee, suddenly frowned. “He bothers you again, and I’ll take him apart.”
    Now, that sounded like the old Rutherford. Perhaps he’d forget all this marriage nonsense and act like an older brother again.
    He bent his head and said in a voice only she could hear. “No one is going to harm you.”
    Oh, dear. That didn’t sound brotherly at all.
    Â 
    After Rutherford left, Anna went to her father’s study. Knocking, she entered without waiting for permission.