“She loves living with the Wimplestow family.” She swallowed as his finger moved to her chin.
“I’m sure she does.” Joseph followed the path of his finger. He couldn’t seem to stop touching her. “Plenty of food there, and the small matter of the family being heathens.”
“They are lovely people!”
“I did not say they weren’t... merely heathens.”
“L-Lord Ellsworth, please lower your hand.”
Instead he lowered his head and kissed her. The first touch of his mouth on hers made his head spin. Her lips felt sinfully good beneath his, and the memory of the kisses they had once shared rushed back to him. Around them the wind blew, and leaves rustled along the path, and all Joseph could think about was Milly, and how right she felt back in his arms once more. Her hands clutched the lapels of his coat as he deepened the kiss, her body angling toward his.
Fool that he was, he still wanted this woman.
Lowering a hand, he touched one hip, and confirmed that she did indeed wear padding.
“No!” Milly wrenched away and stumbled backward. Joseph grabbed her seconds before she tumbled into the river.
“Have a care!”
“I told you I would not do that, be that woman for you. H-how dare you take advantage of me, a servant, when you are an earl. It is beneath you!”
Her lisp had disappeared, and she was now every inch Lady Millicent.
“You know nothing of me,” Joseph rasped, grabbing her wrist. “Only that I am an earl, and that you like my kisses.”
“D-don’t.” He released her as she stuttered the word. What the hell was he doing?
She ran before he could stop her, and Joseph let her. What had he been thinking, kissing her here where anyone could see them? She’d literally robbed him of clarity with just a touch of her lips to his, and then her words had doused him in cold water.
She was right about one thing: he should not be kissing her, at least not until this entire mess was sorted out. He understood why she had said what she had, because in her eyes his behavior was beneath him... at least it would be if she were a servant, and not the woman he’d asked to be his wife.
No. Joseph shook his head. There was no excuse, his behavior was irresponsible; he had no right to kiss her. The problem was, she challenged him now, unlike the old Milly. Then, she had yielded to his every whim. He’d often tried to engage her in a debate, but she had simply agreed with him. She did that no longer.
Where was the man she had left him for?
Whatever path her life had taken, it had changed her circumstances beyond recognition.
“What the hell am I to do with you, Millicent Lawrence?”
He gave her a few minutes and then followed, just in case something had happened to her, or she was sitting crying somewhere. Plus, he needed the time to cool his ardor. Joseph couldn’t remember the last time a woman had ignited the passion inside him the way Milly just had. His stride was longer than hers, so by the time he’d circled the river and arrived back in the village, she was just up ahead of him.
She stopped before the Wimplestow carriage, and as he drew nearer, he saw why. His brothers were talking with Apple-blossom and Lady Wimplestow.
“Milly, come and meet the Lord Ellsworth’s brothers. The Honorables Rory Haddon and Charles Haddon.”
Apple-blossom was waving Milly forward, but it was obvious by the way she dragged her feet she had no wish to join her. He knew she had no wish to see his brothers, in case they recognized her. Reaching her side, he placed a hand on her spine and propelled her the last few feet.
“Miss Higglesworth, how lovely to see you again,” he said, urging her forward. “Please allow me to introduce you to my brothers.”
Joseph wondered if Charles and Rory would recognize her, as once they had been well acquainted, especially after the engagement was announced.
“Good day to you, Miss Higglesworth.” Rory bowed, as did Charles, and not by a flicker of an eyelash did either betray their shock at being introduced to Apple-blossom’s governess. The Wimplestows did not stand on ceremony. Joseph knew this, as he had taken tea with them and Milly. He had never been prouder of his brothers; Milly, however, was horrified at the prospect of being recognized. She curtsied and then quickly excused herself to move to the carriage, where she conversed with the driver.
“Are you looking forward to the ball, Miss Wimplestow?” Joseph said, with one eye on Milly.
“Oh, indeed I am, my lord.”
“Excellent, and this time you shall have your governess also at your side?”
