“May I suggest you wait until morning, or at least some form of transportation next time.”
“I like to walk at night.”
“Many people do, but not in such unpleasant conditions.”
Milly did not reply.
“Your fiancé had arrived to whisk you off to Gretna Green, but alas, you realized after one look into his squinty eyes that your love had waned, so you were forced to flee?”
She had always loved Joseph’s sense of the ridiculous. First, she’d thought him serious-minded, and then after getting to know him better, she’d realized that was the facade he showed society. In fact, there was a great deal more to this man than many people knew.
“It was his nose, my lord,” Milly said. “Overly big, you see, and with a wart on the end. When we kissed, it got in the way, and every time he spoke it rose up and down. It was most disturbing, and I realized that I could not live my life with it... of course, I mean him.” Milly sighed dramatically, and then was forced to stifle another yawn.
“Yes, I can see how off-putting that may have been. However, it seems terribly superficial of you, the path of true love and all that,” he added, waving a hand about in front of her. “Of course, I don’t believe in such a thing anymore.”
“True love?”
“Yes.”
She heard the word, delivered in a cold, flat tone. She had done this to him, and the thought was a distressing one. Joseph had once believed in love, because his parents had loved each other deeply, and he had told her that was what he wanted to share with her.
But life had played a hand in changing Milly’s views on love also. She laughed now at how foolish and naïve she had once been. How she believed love could be formed after a series of parties and balls on the arm of a handsome man. Or driving in the park at his side? The reality was far different. It was struggling to survive for many... as it had been for her. She would have been spoilt and cosseted as Joseph’s wife, but what kind of relationship would that have been for either of them? The same as many who frequented society, Milly knew. But that would no longer suit her. She was changed, in too many ways to count. There would be no happy ever after with a handsome, rich peer for her anymore.
“It is no longer something I wish for either, my lord.”
“However, I am sure that unlike me, you will find it one day, Milly,” he said quietly.
“I do not want it,” she said fiercely. “Love makes fools of sane people.”
“That had some strength behind it.”
“It was a quote, my lord.”
“Of course, how silly of me to think otherwise. Now tell me where this position in Spindle is and with which family, as I know most of them?”
Dear Lord, did he visit Spindle often? The prospect of seeing him again was an unsettling one. He did not recognize her now, but would he if he saw her a few more times.Why would he see you, Milly?He was an earl and she a nobody.
“I’m to be governess to the eldest daughter of a family in Spindle, my lord. I am tasked with helping to prepare her to enter society.”
“Which family? I know most of them.”
“It matters not.”
“Come, we are merely conversing, is it so hard to share this information with me? I’m sure we shall not see each other again. Therefore, whatever we speak of this night will not be passed on, and indeed forgotten in no time.”
“Lord and Lady Wimplestow.”
Behind her, the earl coughed.
“Are you quite well?”
“Yes, quite well. Which daughter?”
“The eldest, as I have already explained.”
He coughed again.
“My lord, are you sure you are all right?”
