And she did love him. Milly accepted that fact openly now. He was everything to her. The problem was, she wanted to be everything to him, as she knew she had not been when they were betrothed. Milly was also not certain he had forgiven her yet, or would ever do so.
When her head started to pound, she pushed the thoughts aside. She could do nothing about it now; tomorrow would be soon enough to resume her worrying.
Her body ached in places it had never ached before. Washing when she reached her room, she felt Joseph’s mouth and hands on her. Lord, she had allowed that man liberties.
A tap on her door had Milly pulling on her robe and opening it.
“A note has come for you, my lady.”
“Thank you, Helen.”
The note was from a woman in need who had been turned off without references from her position as governess, and had nowhere to go. She had heard of Milly’s house, and wished to speak with her urgently.
“Helen, call for my carriage at once, we are going out.”
When her maid left she dressed quickly, and pulled on the blue velvet cloak. The house was quiet as she walked through it. Her aunt would be slumbering already, Milly was sure.
Giving her driver the address, she climbed in the carriage with her maid. Twenty-five minutes later, they stopped. Looking out the window, she checked the location. It was definitely not the worst part of London.
“Come, Helen.”
Milly stepped down and waited for her maid. She then told her driver to hold the horses while they went to call upon the lady.
It was dark, but she could see quite well now that her eyes had adjusted.
“What number are we looking for, my lady?”
“Number seven, Helen.”
“Right here, my lady.”
“I knew you would come.”
She spun to face the man at her back, pushing Helen behind her.
“You!” She recognized him as the man from the theatre, the one who had made her so uneasy.
“I should have simply taken you with me that night four years ago, but instead I let your father’s sentimentality cloud my judgment.”
“Who are you?”
“I am the man who owns you, Lady Millicent. The man you will spend the rest of your life pleasing.”
“No!”
“Yes!” He grabbed her arm. “I have waited a long time for you, my dear. I shall finally be pleased to have you in my bed, and our children will be of noble blood.”
Milly struggled for release.
“Your father told me I could not have you when he repaid his debt to me before his death, but by then it was too late. I knew you would be mine.”
“Unhand her!” Helen stepped to her side and struck him, but he pushed her aside.
“Don’t mistake me, my lady. I am a dangerous man, and should you not yield I will punish those you love. Starting with your earl.”
“H-he is not my earl,” Milly denied.
“Yes he is, but he will not be for long if you do not do as I say. I can also make your aunt’s life extremely painful should I choose to.”
