“You really must be able to defend yourself in this world, Tony. If not with your fists, then with sword or pistol. The choice of weapon I leave to you, but I insist you take lessons in self-defense.”
Though she realized the wisdom of his words she chafed against him issuing his orders. “Poor devil,” she mocked, “you’ve really got your work cut out for you, making a man of me.”
The look he returned her from his piercing blue eyes told her clearly what Savage thought of her manhood or lack of it. In that moment she felt humiliation not only for herself, but for her brother Anthony as well. Her resolve hardened. He’d told her to sow some wild oats; so be it. Hell raising would become her quest! And as for Savage, well he could bloody well reap what she sowed.
Before the Prince departed he remarked, “I shall see you both at Carlton House tonight.”
Tony realized that, too, was tantamount to an order. After His Highness and his entourage left, she said to Savage, “I never expected you of all people to follow orders meekly.”
“I’m in the process of fleecing him of his stud of thoroughbreds. Dining at Carlton House is a small price to pay.” He changed the subject. “Would you care to come and help me select some French wallpaper for Edenwood?”
Tony made a rude noise. “Choose your own damned wallpaper. I’ve an assignation this afternoon.”
Adam’s eyebrows rose slightly and his lip twitched. “In that case, my lord, I’ll leave you to your own … vices.”
The “assignation” was with her grandmother, who was avid to learn the details of the affair at Devonshire House. “Did you see anything of his Royal Highness?”
Remembering, Antonia began to laugh. “I saw more than I bargained for and what I missed last night, I made up for this morning at Gentleman Jim’s. What is it that makes a man want to strip down and measure himself against every man in the room?”
Roz and Tony caught each other’s eye and went off into peals of laughter. “Oh, darling, I believe you’ve just answered your own question.”
“I’ve learned enough about men in the last little while to know that I should never really wish to be one, in spite of the privileges they enjoy.”
“Oh, darling, we’ve done this all wrong. We should have found a wealthy husband for you instead of resorting to this deception.”
“Roz, please don’t feel guilty. I couldn’t bear to be sold on the marriage market. I love my newfound freedom.” Her eyes twinkled. “And being a man is so diverting. His Highness invited me to bring my mistress when we go to the races.”
Roz blinked. Antonia was enjoying the lark, but Roz was beginning to have grave misgivings. She made a mental note to have a word with Mr. Savage.
“His Highness is about to acquire a new mistress, from what I learned last night,” Tony said.
“Really?” Roz was hungry for details that she could cast before her dearest friend, Frances Jersey.
“Her name is Maria Fitzherbert.”
“But I know her!” Roz seemed skeptical. “Are you sure of the name, darling? She’s a respectable widow, distantly related to Isabella Sefton. Lord, she must be at least sue or seven years older than George. She must be approaching thirty.”
“Does she wear her hair unpowdered and have spectacular … er, a lush figure?”
“That’s the one! Yellow hair the color of corn. Most unfashionable. Still, she must have her head screwed on the right way, for she’s had two old husbands who left her well lined in the pockets.”
“I’m dining at Carlton House tonight, by the way. His Highness and his friends speak most disrespectfully of the King and Queen. The King is openly referred to as the lunatic and Richard Sheridan said the Queen had popped out fifteen offspring like pups.”
“And looked as if she was carrying all fifteen at once,” Roz remarked dryly.
Antonia laughed and rebuked, “You have caught Lady Jersey’s cutting tongue.”
“You’re too kind to me, darling. I giveherlessons.”
“Ugh, lessons! Savage is determined to give me lessons in the manly art of self-defense. As a matter of fact I believe he wants to squash me and remake me in his own image. He makes me so furious, it’s constantly on the tip of my tongue to tell him where to go and what to do when he gets there. He angers me so much, I’m in constant danger of letting the cat out of the bag.”
“You must learn to bite your tongue, darling. It’s so difficult for a lady to constantly be polite in mixed company, but I have an infallible method of letting out my spleen.” Rosalind went quickly to her rosewood desk and took out a leather-bound volume. “Here’s a brand-new journal for you. Write down all the unspeakable things you’d like to call him. Don’t hold anything back, no matter how wickedly evil. ’tis a delicious purge.”
Tony took the journal. “The things I long to say will scorch the pages. Come and help me choose something to wear to Carlton House tonight.”
“You must promise to give me every last detail tomorrow. His Highness has reportedly spent hundreds of thousands on the renovations.”
When Mr. Burke announced Adam Savage, Rosalind came to greet him. “I’m sorry, but Tony left for Carlton House hours since. A couple of dissolute young devils stopped by for him.” She took a deep breath, then plunged in. “Mr. Savage—Adam, if I may—I’m rather worried about Tony. Don’t you consider the Carlton House crowd rather wicked?”