“Tell me of your life, Miss Higglesworth. What led you along the path to becoming a companion?”
She was thrown, there was no other word for it. Nothing came to mind as she stood there gaping at him.
“My question is surely not too taxing. After all, a governess who reads Virgil—”
“But I am a servant, my lord.”
“I think we’ve established that fact, thank you, Miss Higglesworth. Now, you have no need of your outer clothing in here, as the room is quite warm.”
Milly took a step back as his hands reached for her coat.
“Unless you are wearing only chemise under there, I fail to see what the problem is?”
“I’m sure it is highly improper of you to mention that word,” Milly said, retreating another step as he advanced. “And I am not sure why you are speaking to me in that... that intimate manner.”
Dear Lord, surely he was not one of those men who preyed on servants? She’d encountered such men, those men born to rank and privilege with the belief they could have any woman they chose, even if she was unwilling. Joseph was not one of those; she could not believe he had changed so much.
“I think I told you last night that your virtue was safe with me. I have no intention, Miss Higglesworth, of taking off your clothes and ravishing you.”
His drawled words made her fists clench. When had he changed so much that he could speak in such a cavalier, vulgar way to her... a servant?
“I must go.”
“I don’t think so.” He stepped closer, so she retreated. Never had she believed a day would come where he intimidated her, and yet it seemed today was that day.
“Firstly, Miss Higglesworth you insult me. If I’d thought like that, then last night I would have taken advantage of you. Secondly, I do not use my position to intimidate servants.” His dark brows lowered as he looked at her, and she saw anger in his eyes.
Relief washed through Milly. She had not misjudged him. Perhaps the years that had passed, and responsibilities he now had, had merely changed his demeanor?
“Forgive me if I was rude, that was not my intention, but as you can understand, this is highly improper.”
“Possibly. But then it was improper of you to ride before me last night with no chaperone also.”
“I need no chaperone, my lord, as I am a servant.”
“Yes, yes, I know you are a servant, there is no need to reiterate that fact.”
Joseph could see she was nervous. She was moving from foot to foot, her eyes settling anywhere but on him. Was her fear of exposure, or of him and his intentions? Did she really believe the man she had once loved capable of such behavior? The thought was not a pleasing one, but then nothing about this entire encounter with the woman he now knew as Milly was. In fact, his impulse as she stood there trying not to look at him was to shake her. The anger that he had experienced on realizing her identity had raged last night and not receded by this morning.
He’d kept his expression calm when she entered his study, letting her believe he had no idea of her identity. In truth, had he not seen her last night without her disguise, he would not have recognized her. There was definitely padding in her cheeks today, and by the size of her breasts and hips, he’d say they were padded also. Her hair was bundled inside her bonnet, and her eyes hidden behind glasses. What had forced her to don such a disguise?
“Take off your coat and bonnet, Milly.”
She didn’t want to defy him, and yet she also didn’t want to do as he asked. She looked over her shoulder to the door in the hopes of escape, but Joseph simply cleared his throat, and held out a hand.
“Come now.”
“I will take tea with the servants as is proper.”
“Yet I wish you to take tea with me, so you will do as I wish.”
“Why?”
“Because I am an earl, and as such have said it will be so.” Joseph deliberately played on his position now to get what he wanted. Her lips thinned, and he was fairly sure she was swallowing down several heated words.
Her fingers were slender and long. They took seconds to force each button through its hole. Her bonnet followed. Beneath was a thick, ugly lace cap that covered her entire head, with two flaps that fell over her ears. It was something his grandmother would have worn. Giving the offensive item a last look, Joseph placed her things on a chair, and then motioned Milly to the fireplace, where she sat on the edge of the seat across from him.
His study was his escape here at Greyton. His father and grandfather had loved this room, just as he did. The desk was wide and old. There were nicks and even a deep scar from one of their ancestors, who in anger had driven his knife into the wood. He could open a drawer and see his father’s handwriting on a piece of paper, or look out the two huge windows and enjoy the rolling landscape. This place usually brought him peace. Looking at Milly, he thought today may be the exception.
