“Ah, yes indeed,” she managed. “A fine-looking young gentleman, Lord Wimplestow. You must be very proud.”
“And this,” the baron said, pointing to another of his progeny, “is my eldest girl, Apple-blossom, your charge. You’ll not be believing how we came up with that name, I’m betting, Lord Ellsworth?”
Looking at the tall girl with masses of unruly red curls and freckles, Milly wondered how she was to get her ready to be presented next season. She sat slouched in her chair, shoulders hunched, eating a cream cake. Her mouth was so full, it was a wonder she did not choke. She did have lovely skin, however, and bright blue eyes. There was potential, but it would certainly take work.A great deal of work, she thought, watching a dollop of cream roll down the girl’s chin and onto her bodice.
“Indeed, I cannot.” The earl spoke calmly, and Milly shot him a quick look. He turned briefly and caught her eye, and the words that would accompany that look would have beenI did try to warn you. Needing to ease the dryness in her throat, Milly took a sip of the tea that had just been placed before her.
She could not comprehend that she was sitting in this room, with Joseph, and he did not know her identity. Her disguise, it seemed, worked better than even she had realized.
“Copulation, my lord.”
Milly spluttered, then coughed, all the while struggling valiantly not to spray tea everywhere and spit out her cheek rolls.
“I... I... ah, beg your pardon?”
Milly noted the earl did not sound quite so calm now. One large hand was fisted on his thigh, and his body was suddenly tense.
“When my Apple-blossom was born, my lord, I was out counting my stock. Upon my return, I noticed four out of five of our apple trees were in flower, and it was then the name came to me, and of course my Fanny agreed.”
“Computation, Papa. For heaven’s sake, must you always get it wrong,” said an exasperated voice from the end of the large table.
Laughter once again boomed; this time, all the Wimplestows joined in the jocularity.
“And the youngest member of my family is our little Rose, named for no other reason than that she is as sweet as her namesake,” Lord Wimplestow said, bestowing a benevolent look upon his youngest daughter.
Relieved that she was to be spared a tale regarding the carnal pleasures the baron and his wife undertook to conceive Apple-blossom, Milly felt her pulse calm, and she offered the little girl a smile. With her sister’s coloring, the youngest Wimplestow could have been born into no other family.
“You’ll have an easy job of it, Miss Higglesworth,” Lord Wimplestow added. “My Apple-blossom will be the belle of any event she attends, and already has a brace of beaus hanging on her every word.”
Milly could feel the earl’s eyes on the side of her face, but not by the flicker of an eyelash did she betray her thoughts.
“Yes indeed, she will surely be the belle of any ball.”
“Well then, let’s eat, before venturing out to see that horse,” the baron added, and there followed the most horrific display of manners Milly had ever seen.
The Wimplestows ate with relish off their own plates and each other’s, and the filly made no move to remove the piece of food wedged in the gap between her teeth that constantly drew Milly’s eyes. She turned again, and caught the earl’s eye; he gave her a wink, and she battled the need to beg him to take her with him back to Greyton. Of course, she could not, as it was best he never see her again. Even if he did not recognize her now, he may do so one day.
“Will you attend the Stonleigh ball, Lord Ellsworth?”
Apple-blossom asked the question, and followed it up with a look that Milly thought was meant to be coy. Good God, the girl surely did not think Lord Ellsworth a suitable prospect for her future spouse? Milly did not enjoy the spike of jealousy she suddenly felt, as she had no claim to this man anymore.
“I will, but if you will excuse me, I must cut this delightful interlude short, and beg your father to show me the horse, as I must be on my way. My family will be arriving anytime now.”
Milly rose with the earl, who had obviously also seen the look in Apple-blossom’s eyes.
“I will have one of the staff show you to your room, Miss Higglesworth,” the filly said with a smile that softened her features, but did not remove the piece of food. “Then we shall meet to discuss matters.”
“Thank you,” Milly said.
“I’ll show her, Mama,” Rose Wimplestow said.
Milly acknowledged everyone in the room, and lastly the earl, although she did not meet his eyes, as she was now battling an unreasonable bout of panic that this would be their last encounter. She had once loved this man with painful intensity. He was her past, and the memories associated with him were of happier times. Even if, upon a great deal of reflection, they were those of a young, naïve fool.
“Good day to you, my lord.”
“Good day, Miss Higglesworth.” His eyes held hers for precious seconds, and then Milly curtsied and left the room.
“Shall I call you Miss Rose?”
