Anthony saw the vendor ahead and pulled his horse to a halt beside the cart.
“It’s a lovely morning, my lord,” the woman said.
“I’ll reserve opinion until the sun fully rises, Milly,” Anthony said, dismounting. “I’ll take a fruit pie please.”
“We’ve apple today, my lord.”
Anthony had been eating these pies for many years, as they were the best in London. Not that he’d tell his cook that. The only issue with stopping at Milly’s cart was the advice that came with any purchase.
He put her age around sixty. Tall, thin, and usually wrapped in multiple layers of clothing, Milly was never shy to tell him what she thought on any subject. That Anthony was an earl with a dark reputation did not bother her in the slightest.
“It’s a troubled mind that has you out here at this early hour, my lord,” she said, handing him the pie.
“All is well, Milly.” Anthony took it, and a large bite. He sighed at the taste of buttery pastry and spiced apple.
“A lady is my guess.”
He didn’t show by a flicker of an eyelash she was correct and instead kept eating.
“Well now, if a woman is rousing you from your slumber, my lord, she must be someone important,” Milly continued.
She had bright green eyes and a narrow face, with lips that disappeared into her mouth when she smiled, because the top row of her teeth was missing.
“There is no important lady in my life, Milly.”
Milly’s husband, John, usually manned the stall with her. Where she was tall, he was half a head shorter and a great deal wider. Where she rarely smiled, he always did so.
“He’s a woman on his mind, John,” she said as her husband moved to her side.
“I never said that, Milly.”
“I can tell.” She tapped her nose. “It’s in the eyes.”
“A piece of advice for you, my lord, if I may,” John said.
“Can I stop you?” Anthony said putting the last bite of pie in his mouth. He contemplated another but thought it wouldn’t sit comfortably as he galloped about the park.
“If she’s the one—”
“Not everyone needs love like you two.”
“All true, my lord. There’s them that are comfortable living with a person who doesn’t hold their heart. But if you find someone that makes you want to spend time with her and fills your thoughts, then it’s best you keep her.”
No woman had ever produced such a reaction in him, and he doubted he could feel that level of emotion. Something was dead inside Anthony, and he’d realized that a long time ago.
“Well, thank you both for the advice, but I’ll leave that kind of thing for those foolish enough to fall in love and be off for my ride.”
“We’ll see if you have to eat those words, my lord,” Milly said, bobbing her head.
Anthony mounted and headed to the park.
Getting his aunts off his back would be a relief. There would be no ball, or whatever else they had planned for him. Miss Spencer would also be safe from Cavendish and the gambling. The thought of her under that man’s control turned Anthony’s stomach.
Reaching the park, he nudged his mount’s sides and soon they were galloping. Few people were about, which suited him, as he could be alone with his thoughts.
He wondered what arguments Miss Spencer would present when he called upon her. Because she wouldn’t yield easily to what he’d proposed. That wasn’t her way.
Clearly the family had fallen on hard times, which is why she’d taken the drastic steps she had. Anthony also had no doubt Miss Spencer was the one to hold the family and its finances together. He knew Heathcliff Spencer was a simple soul.
