“Earlish?” was all Joseph could come up with, his head reeling. First Louis and now Charles. When had he made his feelings for Milly so obvious?
“Officious then? Or we could go with pompous, or overbearing.”
“Yes thank you, Charles, I believe I get the idea.”
“Go after her, Joseph, if indeed she is the one you want.”
On these ominous words, his brother, the one who was usually frivolous with all the conversational depth of a thimble of wine, wandered away, leaving him alone and confused.
“Milly is a gem, Joseph,” Ellie said, reaching his side. “We may not be as close as we once were, but I am working on that, and fear what she went through those years she was absent from society has changed her. But with love and support, we will bring her about.”
“Not you too.” Joseph sighed as his sister slipped her arm through his.
“She is a wonderful woman, Joseph. Strong, intelligent, and that has merely been enhanced in the last few years. She has demons and fears that I would suggest will take time to heal, but then who does not.”
“What demons and fears do you have?” He looked at his pretty sister. She always seemed so happy and carefree.
She patted his arm. “We are not speaking of me.”
“But as your big brother, I feel duty bound to chase those demons away.”
“Louis has already done that, have no fear. And you, by just being near.”
“My mind is relieved.” Although he wondered what fears she had had.
“Now, come, we shall go and intercept Milly before her legions of admirers do.”
“Legions?” He tamped down the surge of jealousy. “Surely not. She has not been to any of the social events I have. What chance has she of collecting admirers?”
“They have seen her rarely, but then perhaps it is her elusiveness that they like. Perhaps she intrigues now?”
Joseph digested that piece of information as he let Ellie steer him toward Milly and her aunt. She saw them when they were a few feet away. He was right, the dress brought out the blue of her eyes. She was stunning. Before he could intercept her, another party reached her first. He and his sister joined them.
“La, Lady Millicent, how wonderful you look, considering your illness. Four years I understand it lasted, and yet you have recovered fully.”
“It was an illness of the mind, Miss Cuthbert. I was quite crazed for a while there, but as you see, I am almost completely healed.”
He knew the look she now wore; she was in no mood for polite chat or pleasantries. He had also heard this story at the theatre.
“S-sickness of the mind?” Miss Cuthbert retreated a step.
“Indeed, I was drooling for over two years. Then there was the screaming, followed by—”
“Well, I’m sure I hear my name being called. Excuse me, please.”
Miss Cuthbert hurried away, twittering with her group.
“Considering our king’s illness, dear, you could have come up with something more fitting, don’t you think?” Lady Mowbray’s lips were thinned.
“Possibly, but I care little about what those women think of me.”
“Lady Millicent, Lady Mowbray.” Joseph stepped closer, believing it a good time to intervene.
“My lord, how fortuitous it is to see you. I was just telling my niece that she should take the boat upriver to the gardens. The entrance via the water is far superior to land. Now is an excellent time for her to view them.”
By the mulish look on Milly’s face, Joseph could tell she had partaken in no such discussion, or indeed wanted to go anywhere with him. He didn’t care. Lady Mowbray had presented him with an opportunity, and he was taking it.
“I would be honored to take you to the gardens, Lady Millicent.”
