“Thank you, Miss Higglesworth.”
They turned right at the end of the hall and then reached a set of grand stairs. She descended behind Colin, her eyes going everywhere, taking in what she could, as she would never return here. They walked another hallway, before coming to a halt before a set of grand double doors. Colin knocked, and Milly took a deep breath.
“Enter,” Lord Ellsworth’s deep voice called. Colin opened it, and she was ushered inside. “Please have a tray brought, Colin.”
The room was large, and two of the walls paneled in dark wood. The others were in a deep burgundy. A male domain, Milly thought, looking about her instead of at the man seated behind the desk some distance away. This was the Earl of Ellsworth’s domain, as it had been those who came before him.
“Good morning, Miss Higglesworth.”
She dropped into a curtsy, and tried to calm the thud of her heart as Joseph rose and walked toward her. Unlike her, he was immaculate, with not a wrinkle in sight. A deep charcoal jacket fitted his wide shoulders perfectly, and his necktie and shirt were so white she blinked. His short hair was thick and the color of polished chestnuts. She searched his eyes, but saw no recognition. This was what she wanted. Indeed, why would he even think about her now after so long, after what she had done to him.
“I trust you slept well?”
He would suspect something if she addressed the rug, so she nodded and then looked at his right shoulder. She saw Daisy lying on her back, eyes closed in utter contentment as she snored happily before the fire. Beside her lay Virgil and Horace.
His eyes followed hers.
“I had one of my maids let her out of your room, and then after her brief run on the cold grass, she shared my breakfast then followed me in here.”
“It’s the food, of course. She will sell her soul for anything she can eat.”
Shut up, Milly.She always chattered when she was nervous... actually, what she was, was terrified. Making herself look back into the earl’s green eyes, she saw only polite enquiry. Her disguise was working; now she just needed to remember to keep lisping.
“Not my charm and winning personality, then. I had wondered.”
“My lord, I must once again thank you for last night,” Milly said quickly, before she lost the courage to speak. “You had no need to do what you did for me, a... a servant, and I thank you for it. I would possibly still be walking had you not arrived when you had.”
“As much as it pains you to say so,” he added.
“I beg your pardon?” Milly kept her voice pleasant; after all, he had helped her when she most needed it, then fed her and let her sleep in the softest bed she had slept in for many years.
“Somehow, I don’t think you like being indebted to anyone, Miss Higglesworth. I could hear it in your words.”
“I-I assure you my gratitude is sincere,” Milly said quickly.
“Do you need to wear your glasses for everyday activity, as well as reading?” He was inspecting her face, his eyes resting briefly on her glasses then moving to her padded cheeks.
Still she saw no spark of recognition in his eyes as she nodded, which allowed her to exhale the breath she was holding. Milly sometimes feared she did not know where the truth started and ended anymore, she had told so many tales.
“Come and sit before the fire while we await the tea tray. And perhaps as your departure is not imminent, you could remove you coat and bonnet.”
“I don’t think it is right for me to take tea here with you, Lord Ellsworth.” Milly dropped into a curtsy. “I shall leave at once.”
“When is Lord Wimplestow expecting you?”
“Today,” she lied. What was one more.
“Of course, then you must leave soon, but surely you have time to eat something beforehand, and as I have a tray coming, why not help me eat it.”
“My lord, I am a servant. ’Tis not right I do so.” Milly fell back on the upper-class English need for division between them and their staff. “I-I will make my way to your kitchens and have something there before leaving.”
“No, you will eat here with me.”
“Why?”
“I’m bored,” he said, reaching for her coat. “You can entertain me.”
“Pardon?” Milly couldn’t believe the man she had once known was speaking this way. He would never have wanted a servant to share his tea tray before, of that she was certain.
