The list of her expenditures was not extensive, and to be expected, however what had confused him was her purchase of a big, rambling house sixty miles from London. It was by no means a house nobility would purchase, or in an area frequented by any. It had intrigued him. So much so that he had nearly taken himself off to inspect it, but as he had no right to, he had refrained... for now.
The clop of Monty’s hoofs was his accompaniment as he rode through streets to reach the park. In London, there were few minutes in a day when he had time to himself; often, this was it. His brothers had arrived, and as they lived with him, there was no escaping them. Their voices carried, especially Charles’s, and more often than not they sought him out just to annoy him. None of this was usually an issue for Joseph, but it was this year.
It was her, of course. Millicent Lawrence. She’d stirred something to life inside him again, but this time it was different,shewas different. It had started with anger and a childish need for revenge against the woman who had supposedly turned from him to another. Then there had been anger that she had not come to him, but now his feelings had changed, and he wanted to know more about her. Needed to know more about her.
As he had known it would, someone had found out she had returned. Rumors about her were wild around London. He ignored them, and the prying questions and glances that her return caused him. No one knew why she had left, and they would not get any answers from him.
Entering the park, he nudged his heels into Monty’s sides. The horse sprang forward into a smooth canter. There was a thunder of hooves from behind him, and he moved to one side, turning to see who approached, and saw the face of the woman who occupied far too many of his thoughts.
He took off in pursuit as she flew by. She turned to look at him briefly as he drew level. He read nothing in her blue gaze, and then she was urging her horse on.
If she wanted a race, she’d get one. Crouching low over Monty’s neck, Joseph let him have his head. They thundered over the ground, and he felt exhilarated to be out there with her, doing what he loved.
They reined the horses in as they reached the end of the stretch of grass, and let them have their heads to catch their breath.
“My lord.” She nodded, and he saw she looked calmer. The fear had gone, and the vulnerability.
She wore a deep rose riding habit, trimmed with black. On her head was a stylish black hat, and her gloves and boots matched. Her cheeks were pink, and her eyes alive, and he felt the pull of her beauty. Felt the lure that had once caught and held him.
“My lady.” Joseph returned the nod.
“I won.”
“I think not,” Joseph said, enjoying the picture she presented. Not quite the woman she had been, but so much more. For now he would play her game, and talk of nothing.
“Perhaps a draw then?”
“Very likely. How are you enjoying your return to London?”
“I am pleased to be reunited with my aunt, and there is much about London that I missed.”
A careful answer, Joseph thought.
“And have you been to Milton’s for butterscotch?”
The small smile on her lips told him the answer. Milly had loved the sweet treat. He had often bought them for her.
“A time or two, my lord.”
They rode in surprisingly companionable silence. Four weeks ago, they had parted with tense words, but not today.
“Can I ask you a question, Milly?”
She nodded.
“Why did you buy that house?”
“The house my aunt lived in belonged to her son, and was drafty and far too big for us both. He is a terrible nip farthing, and so I decided she would be better living with me, in a house of our own.”
“Yes, I understood that purchase, however not the other one.” He doubted she would answer him, but he had so many questions about this woman, he hoped for a resolution on at least one of them.
She pulled her mount to a halt and he drew alongside. Her eyes were forward as she spoke, suddenly serious.
“It’s for women with nowhere else to go. Widows, sisters, aunts, mothers. People who are displaced through circumstances beyond their control, and need help.”
He touched her cheek. Just a brush, but it was enough to make her shiver. She was as aware of him as he was of her.
“Like you were?”
