She had a distant cousin who actually wanted to know her. Milly wasn’t sure she could take much more in. Her head felt ready to explode.
Mr. Harby then discussed at length just how much money her father had put aside for her.
“It was his wish that when you returned you have sufficient funds to keep you in comfort.”
“But he had no money, Mr. Harby.”
“Yes, that was the case. But three years ago he made several wise investments that changed his financial situation, Lady Millicent.”
Milly thought she nodded, but couldn’t be certain. She could still not quite believe that her father had provided for her.
“You are free to purchase what you wish, my lady, as I am sure Lord Ellsworth will have no issue signing—”
“Pardon?” Milly snapped out of her thoughts at the mention of Joseph’s name.
The smile fell from Mr. Harby’s lips as he noted her frown.
“Yes, well, the late Marquess wanted to ensure you did not make any rash decisions with the money. Therefore, the earl is to oversee—”
“The same earl I was once betrothed to?” Milly could not take it in. Surely her father had not made such a stipulation.
“I did point this out to your father, and indeed said it was highly irregular to make this stipulation, but he was quite firm in his wishes.”
Mr. Harby did not look happy now. In fact, he looked close to tears.
“So I can do nothing without the earl’s approval?” Milly kept her voice calm and did not scream like she wished to; after all, it was not this poor man’s fault, no matter how much she wanted it to be.
“Yes, that is the case.”
“God’s blood.” Milly could not hold back. “He ruins my life, and then proceeds to dictate to me from the grave! You will excuse me, Mr. Harby, but I need to digest this information. I shall return soon.”
She walked from the office, then through the small reception and out the door. She inhaled a deep breath of cold air once she had stepped outside. Her happiness had once again been ripped away by that man.
Bastard!
How dared he do this to her, and with Joseph of all people.
“Millicent?”
She saw them then, Joseph and Eleanor, walking toward her. He dark and far too bloody handsome, she more delicate, her coloring softer, and so pretty. She fought back the leap of joy she felt at seeing her old friend.
Milly bobbed into a curtsy. “Forgive me, I do not know your title.”
“But I am Ellie.”
“Of course. Y-you look well.”
“I am married now.”
“Yes,” Milly nodded. Where once she could have told this woman anything, she now felt awkward, with nothing to say. Ellie closed the distance between them once more, and took the hand she had pressed to her chest.
“Joseph has told me that you did not leave London for another man but—”
“You had no right.” She looked at the tall, silent man who stood at his sister’s back.
“Eleanor deserved to know some of the truth, Milly. She was your friend. But I did not tell her all of it.”
“It matters not,” she said quickly. “What matters is that my father hated me enough that he placed your name as the one to oversee my money. I cannot now spend any of it without your authority.”
