Her clothes were worn and she had an air of desperation about her that he saw more clearly in the light of day. Joseph ignored the ache in his chest that suddenly burned there. It was anger, of course, and seeing her dressed that way, it was threatening to rage to life.
Lady Millicent Lawrence had been one of society’s brightest lights. A Marquess’s daughter. She had dressed to dazzle, and her smile had stopped men in their tracks. But it had been the smile she gave Joseph that had been the most precious of all. Only when it had been turned on him was it soft and alluring. He’d believed she loved him, but that had been a lie.
What course has her life taken? Where is the man she left me for?
“That is a hideous cap. Surely you are not required to wear such a thing in your status as a companion?”
“It is right that I do.”
“Who said it was right?”
She sat with her ankles crossed, hands settled in her lap, as he had seen her do many times before.
“It is highly improper of you to question me on this, my lord.”
It must take a great deal of practice to remember to lisp constantly, Joseph thought, but it was highly effective. He doubted that Millicent’s mother, were she still alive and seated across from her right at this moment, would recognize her.
“Is there anything you wish to tell me this morning, Miss Higglesworth?”
“I-I… pardon?”
Her hands moved to clench on the arm of the chair as she started to rise.
“Your dog snores, Miss Higglesworth, I have struggled to get any work done. A little forewarning would have been nice.”
Relief had her sitting once again. He ignored the guilt he felt for taunting her, and leaned closer as she turned to look at the dogs. She definitely had some padding in those cheekbones.
“Do you know anything about the Wimplestow family, Milly? Because I should warn you, they are not like other families of noble birth.”
He watched as she poured tea a maid had just brought in. The way his sister had done many times before.
“Are they criminals, my lord?”
“No.”
“Dangerous thugs?”
“No again.”
“Will I be in danger in their household?”
“That depends on the danger,” Joseph said. “They are good people, just—”
Milly lifted her hand to stop him speaking. If only she knew, they were not the actions of a servant.
“Then I wish you to tell me nothing, Lord Ellsworth. I will see for myself, and make up my own mind when I arrive there.”
“I think you should take a position in my household. You will be safe here, and comfortable. In fact, my housekeeper has been laid low. You can take her place until she is fit once again.” The words left his mouth before he could draw them back.
What the hell are you doing?
I want her where I can keep an eye on her while I decide the best course to take, he reasoned with himself. It would be better if he simply confessed, and told her he knew her identity. He could then tell her what he must. But then she would run again, Joseph was certain of that, and he wasn’t entirely sure why that bothered him so much.
He was not an indecisive man, but right at that moment he could not make a decision about how to handle the woman seated before him.
“Thank you for the offer, my lord, but I have no knowledge of how to be a housekeeper. I shall be happy as companion in the Wimplestow household.”
“You seem intelligent enough, you will pick it up.” He watched her shoulders draw back as he insulted her again, but she did not retaliate.
“Thank you again. I’m sure your praise is most welcome. However, I have a position and am more than happy with that.”
Her refusal was, of course, for the best. After all, his siblings were due to arrive shortly, and surely one of them would recognize her before he was ready for that to happen. Why then, was he still tense and worried? Why then did he feel a need to lock all the doors and keep her here at Greyton?
