Page 50 of Engaging Sir Isaac

Isaac drew himself up. To call on a single gentleman, on her own—

“But she insisted upon waiting outside, sir,” the butler added before Isaac’s thoughts ventured down an uncomfortable path.

“Oh. Very good. I shall step out directly.” The butler bowed and left. Isaac tugged at his waistcoat as he followed, then he paused before a mirror hanging in the corridor. His hair was mussed, his cravat in fair shape, and nothing else was amiss with his appearance. He attempted to smooth his hair back, but then noticed his butler standing a few feet further in the corridor, watching.

Isaac straightened from the mirror and lifted his chin in the air, as though unconcerned, and passed the butler at a quick clip to get to the door. He opened it himself and stepped into the light of the early afternoon sun.

Millie wore the raspberry dress he had seen before, when she called upon Esther, with a floral shawl upon her shoulders. She faced slightly away from the door, her eyes upon something at the side of the house.

“Millie.” It was much easier to speak that familiar name than stumble through the whole of her formal address. It suited her better, too. Suited the smile she bestowed upon him when she turned around to greet him. “I am glad to see you.”

“That is a relief to hear.” She held her hand out in response to his approach. Without thought he took it in his ungloved hand. “I was forced from the house today by Lady Olivia. All the male guests are out upon the sea today, and the ladies are meant to sew and arrange flowers.” She sighed deeply. “I am to be on task.”

He brought her closer, drawing her to his side. “If Mr. Weston is not available, it makes perfect sense to dispatch you after the other man.” He kept his tone light and the way her shoulders relaxed confirmed levity was the right path to take. “How are we to pass our afternoon? Will you try to discover all my deepest secrets?”

Her cheeks pinked. “Isaac Fox, are you flirting? I thought you detested flirting.”

“I detest unwelcome flirting. Shallow flirting.” He allowed her to move her hand from his so she might take his arm. They started to walk down the drive. “I have not flirted much myself, since the war. Perhaps I ought to take it up again.”

“That would make you quite the hypocrite, unless you allow me the same privilege.” She kept her head turned forward, so he heard more than saw her smile. “I thought we might walk for a time. Or perhaps we could pay a visit to your sister. As alternative ideas to sharing secrets.”

He sighed dramatically and took her off the path, making for a large oak tree. “You need my secrets, Millie. How else will you escape Lady Olivia’s clutches?” He nodded to an iron bench that his father had put around the tree to serve as a place of reflection. “Come. Sit for a time. Then I will have my gig brought round to take you to see Esther.”

“Your concern for my reputation does you credit, sir.” She took her seat upon the old bench, tucking her skirts carefully to the side so he might sit beside her. He did not hesitate to do so, laying his arm along the back of the bench above her shoulders.

“As does your concern for mine.” He crossed his legs and leaned back against the bench. “Did you experience anything unpleasant after I left you yesterday?”

“Only the expression of Lady Olivia’s impatience this morning, but as the result of that discussion brought me to your door, I cannot mind it.” She tipped her face upward. “No one has tried to kiss me again, if that is what you were specifically wondering.”

“Ah, I see. Is that the most unpleasant thing that might happen to you?” he asked, tempted to grin. He’d enjoyed their kiss. Though his intention had been to stun her, he had ended up surprised by how much he had liked it.

Her amusement faded into a tired sigh. “Unfortunately not. There are many things for me to worry over, at present. Sarah locked my bedroom door last night and insisted she sleep in the same room. She already had her concerns over Lord Carning, and now she thinks Mr. Weston a threat.”

Isaac winced at his own thoughtless inquiry. “You are fortunate to have such a loyal servant in your employment.”

“I know it. Which brings to my mind a plan I had, but I wish to put it to you.” She turned still more toward him, her left shoulder brushing against his arm. She explained an idea of shuffling through the personal rooms of not only Lady Olivia, but Mr. Weston. Isaac listened, his concern growing, as she first described taking action herself or, alternatively, bribing a servant to do the same.

“The more people you involve, the more likely you are to be found out.” He sighed and his hand lifted a bonnet ribbon from her shoulder. He wistfully remembered when his nephew had played with the very same ribbon. Why had such a charming woman fallen into such an odd fate? More importantly, how was he to help her? “It was true in the army. Orders were never shared down the ranks until they absolutely had to be told. It kept secrets from slipping out, movements from being discovered.”

“I had rather not send Sarah to do the job. If she is discovered, it would be terrible for her. But if I poke about Mr. Weston’s quarters—”

“The consequences would be far worse.” Isaac idly rubbed the satin ribbon between his thumb and forefinger, his thoughts turning about in his mind until he found a solution. “Tonight there is a card party at the house, is there not? I have my invitation. Esther planned to attend. What if I search Mr. Weston’s rooms?”

Millie’s eyebrows drew down and the lightest of creases appeared just above them on her smooth forehead. “How would you go about that?”

“Tell Sarah to wait for me, near the guest chambers. I will make an excuse to slip away a moment. Fresh air. A trip to the water closet. Something of the sort.” He released the ribbon in favor of taking up the hand she had rested in her lap. Not that she needed his reassurance, but it felt right all the same. “She can tell me which room is Weston’s and I can take a few minutes to see if there is anything of interest. Though I would think most men leave their secrets at home rather than take them to house parties in the country.”

“I know.” Her shoulders drooped along with the corners of her mouth. “I cannot think what else to do now. I have no wish to encourage him into behaving as he did before. I doubt the man will reveal anything of an intimate nature to me.”

Isaac had already written letters of inquiry that morning, to a few fellow officers who held positions at home posts. Perhaps one of them would turn up something of use, but telling Millie of his efforts would be premature.

“Absolutely do not engage him that way again,” Isaac said quietly, lifting her hand to his chest, holding it there to emphasize his sincere concern. “Millie, the man could overpower you. I would not have you hurt for anything.”

Her cheeks reddened, and she lowered her eyes. “Do you always take such care of your friends, Isaac?”

It was the first time that day she had said his name, and it had the same effect as a hammer hitting upon his chest with a thud. He could not let Millie know what she did to him. That he had accepted his attraction to her, looked forward to knowing more of her.

He was captivated by this woman whose troubles would take work to solve, who inspired his desire to protect her, to save her.