“God’s blood, Jacinta Greenway has half her bosom showing!” Charles said.
“That must be distressing for you, Charles. Shy, retiring soul that you are,” Louis drawled.
They were standing by the river, watching idiots punt up and down. Joseph was on edge for no other reason than Milly was not here yet, and he was not sure she would even come, as he hadn’t seen her for days. She had not gone riding in the mornings, nor to any events in the evenings. He was damned if he was paying a call at her house, like some lovelorn pup, but the hell of it was, he wanted to see her. What the hell did she mean by saying he was engaged! He’d been so stunned he had not denied it... which he did, vehemently.
“Rory is making it his mission to sample every plate of food. We shall have to roll him out of here,” Charles said.
The scene before Joseph and his family was a riot to the senses. Colorful tents were erected for those who wished to get out of the sun, of which there was not a great deal, but still, some women could not stand it on their complexions. There were tables heaving with food and drink. Servants dressed as Vikings wandered about with pained expressions on their faces, offering champagne. Archery targets were set up for the annual competition.
“I hope Lady Shubert pays her staff well. Those men that fetch arrows and adjust targets are taking their lives in their hands,” Louis said.
“Danger money, I believe it is called,” Charles added.
“Ridicule, danger, is there no end to what her staff must suffer.”
Joseph let his eyes wander the guests as Charles and Louis talked. Was she coming? As the thought entered his head, he saw her walking down the path with her aunt.
She wore pale blue, and he knew with her eyes, it would look extraordinary up close. The fabric was light, and fluttered about her slender legs as she walked. A band of dark blue embroidery scooped low over her breasts, and the bodice was fitted with small pleats. The skirts fluttered open and he saw a flash of rose satin.
“Four years have turned that woman from pretty to stunning.”
Louis said the words so Joseph alone could hear, but he did not reply, simply watched as she walked. She moved with effortless grace, as she always had, but now she was so much more. Everything about her was so much more. Her beauty, her strength and spirit. Joseph had realized last night, as he lay awake, that he wanted this woman very much. Wanted her in his life, at his side. The revelation had not been as startling as he’d thought. Perhaps she had always been in his heart and head, but now it was different. Now she made him uncomfortable. His skin prickled when she was near, his body ached, and he felt a savage need to possess her.
“I’m sure if I were standing between you and Lady Millicent, I would be singed by that look.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about, Louis.”
Her hair had been styled simply, and she wore several long curls free. She was delectable from the top of her head to the soles of her feet, and every lush inch in-between.
“She is beautiful, intelligent, and you have history between you. Yet, I think you care as much about that as your family does. If you still want her, my friend, go and get her.”
Dragging his eyes from Milly, he looked at Louis.
“She may have something to say about that.”
“Perhaps, but she once loved you very much, to the point of worship. I doubt that has ever really gone away, but perhaps now you could love her equally—given the chance.”
“Is there a reason for this deep and meaningful dialogue?”
Louis smiled, and looked over Joseph’s shoulder, and he knew that Ellie would be there. Louis always got that look when he saw her.
“Because life is too short not to be with the woman you love.”
“I never said I loved her.”
Louis smiled, then patted his shoulder and walked away. God, did he love her? Was love an ugly mass of seething emotion? Was it a need to see her, be with her? Was it a need to possess her?
“Christ.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing,” Joseph said.
“Just go and talk to her, and don’t be so... so earlish,” Charles said.
“I beg your pardon?” Joseph looked at his brother.
“Lady Millicent, to my mind, is vastly different from the woman we all knew. She now has a backbone, and is no longer shy and retiring. Don’t treat her as you once did, Joseph.”
