by Wendy Vella
“Oh, I feel so terrible. How could I have doubted her for so long? I am truly a bad person!”
“No you’re not, so stop the theatrics right now, and help me work out where she has gone to.”
“You still care for her?”
Did he? Poking around inside his chest, he didn’t believe he did. But there was something there, now that the anger had eased and been replaced with worry. Passion, yes, but also something like respect for her survival, and a need to know what course her life had taken in the last four years. God, all this emotion was exhausting. For so long he’d shut it away, but it felt as if since Milly had reentered his life she’d sliced open a vein and emotion was pouring out.
“She is at present walking about London in your blue velvet cloak, with no bonnet, and at a guess, no money,” he said, instead of answering her question.
“My cloak?” She wrinkled her nose. “Oh indeed, is that where I left it? But it matters not, what matters is that we find her.”
Unlike him, Ellie would harbor no ill will toward Milly. She could forgive with ease; it was her way.
His anger, he now realized, stemmed more from the fact that she’d had no need to take the course of action she had. He would have taken steps to help Milly if only she had come to him instead of fleeing. She should have trusted him to keep her safe.
“Well?”
“Well what?”
“Where is she?” Ellie snapped.
“That is what I’m trying to work out!” he snapped back. “After reading the papers her father left for her, she fled... again.”
She fell silent, brows lowered, frowning as she thought.
“The lawyer. Surely she has gone there? Her father’s lawyers would be the logical first step?”
He hadn’t thought of that, and now wondered why he hadn’t.
“It is a good place to start,” he conceded.
“It’s a bloody brilliant place to start, you mean.” She regained her feet and gave him a cheeky smile. “And you are merely annoyed that I thought of it before you.”
“Such a humble creature you are, little sister. I’m sure your husband would be displeased to hear you swearing like a sailor,” he said, nudging her through the door.
“Oh, pooh to that. Louis is far worse than I. Don’t you want your coat, hat, and gloves?” she questioned him, and it was then he realized he’d just walked about for an hour without them. Ignoring her smug look, he returned to his house to shrug into his coat, and grab his hat and gloves. Looking at the darkening skies, he hoped they found Milly soon.
Where are you?
Milly’s head had been whirling as she left Joseph’s house. Her father had left her money. She had money... a great deal of it.
Pulling up the hood of the cloak so no one could see her face, she had walked aimlessly for a while, until she could at least find a rational thought inside her head.
What should I do now?
For so long her course had been to stay out of sight, find work, and simply exist, but now everything had changed. If, as Joseph suspected, the danger no longer existed due to her father’s death, then was she free to live the life she chose?
“Dear God, is it possible?” she whispered.
Looking at the sheaf of papers still clutched in her hand, she saw the name of her father’s lawyers on the top piece. Surely that was a good place to start?
She had some coins in her purse that the Wimplestow family had given her, so she would use those to get a hackney there. She soon flagged one down.
“Where would you like to go, madam?”
“Well as to that, sir, I know the name but not the address.”
“What’s the name?”
The man wore a cap low over his eyes, and a thick scarf pulled up to his ears to ward off the cold.
“Harby, Newman, and Stathe. They are lawyers, sir.”
The man thought about that.
“I think their rooms are in Bell’s Court, madam. Shall we try there first?”
Milly fished out her coins and handed them to him.
“Take me as far as these go, please.”
“Right, they’ll get you there and back again, should you wish it.”
“Thank you.”
The drive was not a long one, and Milly once again grappled with her change in circumstance and what this meant for her. What did she want to do with this sudden wealth that she had acquired?
“I want a home,” she whispered. “A warm one, with plenty of food.” For the first time since leaving the Wimplestow family, she smiled.
The offices of Harby, Newman, and Stathe were indeed in Bell’s Court. She gave the name of Lady Millicent Lawrence to the clerk, and was asked to wait while he went to tell someone she was here.
“Lady Millicent!”
A tall, immaculately dressed man appeared suddenly before her. He wore small round spectacles and had a wide smile on his face.
“My name is Mr. Harby, and how I had hoped this day would eventually come!”
The man rushed forward and took her hand. Squeezing it, he urged her to follow him into an office.
“Your father told me to expect that one day you would arrive in my offices. I am pleased today is that day!”
“Ah... yes, I see. But how is it that I have this money, when I know there is a distant cousin somewhere who has inherited my father’s title?”
“Your father made a special provision for you before he died. The new Marquess has considerable wealth, and had no wish to contest your portion. He is a man who is used to frugal means, and lives in the country with his wife and children.”
Milly nodded, trying to take in this news.
“Indeed, he was most adamant that should you come to me, I direct you to him, should you wish to meet with him and his family, that is.”
She had a distant cousin who actually wanted to know her. Milly wasn’t sure she could take much more in. Her head felt ready to explode.
Mr. Harby then discussed at length just how much money her father had put aside for her.
“It was his wish that when you returned you have sufficient funds to keep you in comfort.”
“But he had no money, Mr. Harby.”
“Yes, that was the case. But three years ago he made several wise investments that changed his financial situation, Lady Millicent.”
Milly thought she nodded, but couldn’t be certain. She could still not quite believe that her father had provided for her.
“You are free to purchase what you wish, my lady, as I am sure Lord Ellsworth will have no issue signing—”
“Pardon?” Milly snapped out of her thoughts at the mention of Joseph’s name.
The smile fell from Mr. Harby’s lips as he noted her frown.
“Yes, well, the late Marquess wanted to ensure you did not make any rash decisions with the money. Therefore, the earl is to oversee—”
“The same earl I was once betrothed to?” Milly could not take it in. Surely her father had not made such a stipulation.
“I did point this out to your father, and indeed said it was highly irregular to make this stipulation, but he was quite firm in his wishes.”
Mr. Harby did not look happy now. In fact, he looked close to tears.
“So I can do nothing without the earl’s approval?” Milly kept her voice calm and did not scream like she wished to; after all, it was not this poor man’s fault, no matter how much she wanted it to be.
“Yes, that is the case.”
“God’s blood.” Milly could not hold back. “He ruins my life, and then proceeds to dictate to me from the grave! You will excuse me, Mr. Harby, but I need to digest this information. I shall return soon.”
She walked from the office, then through the small reception and out the door. She inhaled a deep breath of cold air once she had stepped outside. Her happiness had once again been ripped away by that man.
Bastard!
How dared he do this to her, and with Joseph of all people.
She saw them then, Joseph and Eleanor, walking toward her. He dark and far too bloody handsome, she more delicate, her coloring softer, and so pretty. She fought back the leap of joy she felt at seeing her old friend.
Milly bobbed into a curtsy. “Forgive me, I do not know your title.”
“But I am Ellie.”
“Of course. Y-you look well.”
“I am married now.”
“Yes,” Milly nodded. Where once she could have told this woman anything, she now felt awkward, with nothing to say. Ellie closed the distance between them once more, and took the hand she had pressed to her chest.
“Joseph has told me that you did not leave London for another man but—”
“You had no right.” She looked at the tall, silent man who stood at his sister’s back.
“Eleanor deserved to know some of the truth, Milly. She was your friend. But I did not tell her all of it.”
“It matters not,” she said quickly. “What matters is that my father hated me enough that he placed your name as the one to oversee my money. I cannot now spend any of it without your authority.”
His surprise was evident. So he had not known. She felt a small measure of relief.
“Why would he do that?” Joseph said.
“Control? A last laugh on his silly daughter? It matters not. What matters is that I wish to have money for things, and have no wish to fight with you over every detail.”
His face was expressionless as he stood there watching her once again unravel. It was so bloody unfair! She doubted he’d ever been anything but together, his entire life.
Not entirely true. This morning he was unraveled.
“Well, unless you wish to purchase a brothel, I will cause you no problems.”
“I should purchase a brothel to spite him,” Milly said.
“Yet you will not, but I’m sure you have a wish to do something.”
She looked at Joseph, standing large and steady behind his sister. Eleanor had never known fear, never known hunger or real cold, the kind that seeped into your bones and never let go. He would ensure that for his sister and brothers, as he once would have done for her. But no longer. Milly saw to her own needs now, and wished it no other way.
Chapter 16
“Millicent, will you come and stay with me while you are in London?”
Eleanor’s words were genuine, and she bore no grudge, even considering that Milly had supposedly left her brother with a broken heart. She had always been a kind person, but Milly could not take her up on the offer. She was not the same woman who had left London, and they were no longer friends. So much had come to pass that they never would be again.
“No, but thank you for your offer.”
Joseph put a hand on his sister’s shoulder as she prepared to argue.
“Come, Eleanor, you can take my carriage home, and I shall call on you later.”
She wanted to refuse, Milly saw that, but the hand on her shoulder squeezed gently, changing her mind.
“I know much has gone between us, and I know there is much that you need to adjust to, but I would like to be your friend, should you need one, Millicent.” Eleanor kissed Milly’s cheek, and Milly inhaled her old friend’s scent. Then Joseph escorted his sister to his carriage, and she left.
When he returned to Milly’s side, she was still where he had left her.
“My sister was once your friend, Milly. She had no part in your anger. Direct that at me if you must, but not her.”
She refused to feel shame. Her life had changed, and with it her.
“I was not angry. I was polite to her,” she defended herself.
“Your voice could have cut through glass.”
Milly refused to feel guilty. “I’m sorry if your sister’s sensibilities were wounded, my lord. It was not my intention.”
He sighed; it was loud and weighty.
“She was trying to help you.”
“I need no help from your sister or you, other than your signature, Lord Ellsworth.”
Joseph held up his hands in surrender.
“Tell me what it is you wish for then.”
“To begin with, I wish only for some money, after that I shall let you know.”
“I can lend you—”
“No, I do not want to borrow money, I want my own.”
“I understand.”
“I doubt that, but if you will follow me back to Mr. Harby, one of my father’s lawyers, then he will have you sign the forms to release some money to me.”
They walked back to the offices, he behind her as they climbed the stairs.
“Why do you think I cannot understand?”
She turned to face him, and suddenly their eyes were level, his intent, running over her face. Milly felt the need for this man build inside her once more, and hated that he could still do this to her.
“Have you ever wanted for anything in your life, my lord?”
He nodded.
“I find that hard to believe,” Milly scoffed. “What could you possibly have wanted that was not in your powerful reach?”
He touched her hair, then his fingers wrapped around her braid.
“I wanted you.”
He tugged her forward until their lips met. This kiss was hard and brief.
“Don’t do that,” Milly rasped, when he lifted his head.
“I wish I didn’t want to.”
She tore her eyes away from the smoldering heat in his, and continued to Mr. Harby’s office.
“I wish to send word to someone. Would you be able to see the missive arrives at its destination, Mr. Harby?
“Of course, I will see to it personally.”
Joseph wanted to stand and look over Milly’s shoulder to see who it was she wrote to, but did not. He was an earl, he neither lurked nor peeked.
“Will that be all you need from me, Mr. Harby?” Joseph addressed the solicitor as Milly began to pen her note.
“Until Lady Millicent wishes to make another purchase.”
“He has to agree to every one?” Milly glared at him.
“I did not make this stipulation, madam. Nor would I have allowed it had I known.”
She muttered something that he suspected was another lusty curse, and turned back to her letter. Lord, how was it that he wanted her more now than he did when she was his betrothed? Her smart mouth and attitude got under his skin like an insect, burrowing deep. It would never do.
He had kissed her again on the stairs. It was not like him to behave rashly, and it was all her fault. He wanted her, and could no longer deny it.
Where had she been for the last four years? How had she survived? There were so many questions he wanted answers to. Yes, his anger toward her had cooled, especially as her actions, however misguided, had been to save him. However, now he wanted to know more.
Why could he not just walk away from her? Was it the courage he now saw in her, or the vulnerability?
“Where will you be staying, my lady?” Mr. Harby said, taking the letter that, by his count, was two pages long. Not a note then. Who the hell was she writing to?
“At a hotel.”
“No,” Joseph said softly. “That will not happen.”
Her blue eyes narrowed.
“You have no say in what I do.”
Mr. Harby cleared his throat, suddenly uncomfortable with the tension between them.
“You are the daughter of a Marquess, and I will not allow word to spread about London that you are staying alone in a hotel, when you have an aunt here. If you will not stay with my sister, then it will be her.”
“I care nothing about society.” She waved a hand, dismissing him. “And I will not disrupt my aunt’s life.”
Joseph was not easily dismissed.
“Society will care a great deal about you, however.”
Joseph thought he had her, as she appeared to think about that. He would make her move in with Eleanor, and yes, it would cause tongues to
wag when it was known, but he cared nothing for that, only that he knew where she was—a thought he did not want to examine to closely.
“Then I will stay with a friend until I have set up my household.”
“What friend?” Joseph watched as she regained her feet and held out her hand to shake Mr. Harby’s, much to the man’s surprise.
He then followed her from the offices.
“What friend?” he said again once they were outside.
“It need not concern you,” she said, looking around. “Good day, my lord.”
“Don’t dismiss me, you little baggage.” And just like that, his anger was back. Taking her arm as she started to walk away, he turned her to face him. “And you are lying to me again. This I now know, as you lower your eyes when you do so.”
“I do not!”
“You just did so.”
“I am not your concern, Lord Ellsworth.”
He hated the cool, haughty look she wore.
“You were to be my wife, damn you. I have only recently learned you did not leave me for another man. I found you on the side of a country lane in the middle of the night and took you to my house. I brought you to London.” Joseph fought again for control. “Whether either of us like it or not, you are my concern.”
Her eyes left his briefly to study the building they had just walked from, before returning, and he had the feeling she did so to regain control.
“I understand the man you were raised to be sees it that way, but I am not the girl I once was. I can now fend for myself, and my father has given me the means to ensure I will live comfortably. I am grateful to you for bringing me to London, but other than to put your signature on pieces of paper, I have no wish for your company any further.”
She eased her arm from his, and walked away from him.
“Where will you go?” The words were wrenched from him.
“Somewhere safe.”
He didn’t know what that meant, so he followed at a safe distance, making sure she did not realize he was dogging her footsteps. When a carriage passed her and then stopped. Joseph moved closer, but still kept out of sight.
“Millicent?”
He pulled back as Milly’s aunt stepped from the carriage. She would be safe now. Lady Mowbray had once loved her niece a great deal; he did not think that had changed in the last four years.