“Not one word.”
“Thank you.” Milly swallowed her pride.
“Accept those two.”
“It is not my efforts, my lord. Apple-blossom is a lovely girl, and it is obvious that Mr. Howard has held her in high regard for some time.”
“He certainly seems to,” came the drawled reply.
Milly watched Mr. Howard kiss Apple-blossom passionately.
“Oh dear, I should really put a stop to this.”
“Why? They are hurting no one, and kissing is a wonderful pastime.”
“Perhaps for a man who would face no consequences for doing so were someone to see him, but not for someone like Apple-blossom or....” Milly realized she was going to sayI.
“You?”
“There is no need for you to stay here now, my lord. Please return to your errands.”
“I am sheltering from the rain.”
Frustrated to have him so near, Milly attempted to ignore him.How is it he does not recognize me?It was not the first time she had thought such a thing, but surely there was something of the old Millicent Lawrence in her that he should see?But then, if he did recognize you, you would have to run again.She was a perverse creature.
“Lord Wimplestow should not let his daughter ride that stallion, Miss Higglesworth. She is lucky she did not break her neck.”
Milly sighed. “He spoils her.”
“As fathers do. Mine was no different, and the best of men.”
Milly had known Joseph’s father well. She’d loved him. He’d been funny, kind, and intelligent, and very much like his sons. She had once been excited at the prospect of him as her father-in-law.
“When did he pass, my lord?”
He was silent for a while, and then when he spoke his words were clipped.
“Four years ago.”
So he’d dealt with his father’s death soon after she had broken their betrothal. Dear Lord, he must loathe her.
“I am sorry for your loss,” Milly murmured, her words sounding empty and hollow. She felt a desperate sadness for the loss of the late earl.
“It is done with.” He dismissed her words. “You ride well for a governess, Milly.”
He wanted the subject changed, and she could not fault him for that.
“I believe I have already asked you before how many governesses you are acquainted with, my lord, with which to base your knowledge on.”
“I’m astute, everyone says so.”
Milly refused to look at him, but she wanted to, because she knew he was laughing at her again. Teasing and provoking her.
“You are an earl. Of course they say so.”
“Are you suggesting the only reason people flatter me is because I am an earl?”
Milly didn’t answer that question.
“Come now, you said the words, surely you can back them up?”
“I am merely suggesting that people tend to flatter you more than they would someone who does not bare your lofty title, Lord Ellsworth.”
“I do believe that hurt, Miss Higglesworth.”
Milly watched Mr. Howard release Apple-blossom. “I am sure you will survive, my lord. Now thank you for lending me your coat, but please excuse me. Milly shrugged out of the warmth and handed it back to him.
She rode away before he could utter another word. She did not want to feel anything for Joseph. No empathy, no anger, and definitely not the stirrings of love. Because when she left him once more, as surely she must, she did not want to suffer like last time. The pain had almost destroyed her.
