Page 6 of Engaging Sir Isaac

Her tasks would hopefully prove as simple as the first she had performed in London. Mr. Burton had been easy enough to sort out for Lady Sophie. The gentleman not only had enormous gambling debts he had attempted to keep hidden, but he also kept a mistress his wife knew nothing about.

Sharing that information with Lady Sophie hadn’t given her so much as a shred of guilt. If a man went about ruining his life, it would only be a matter of time before everyone found out about it. So what if she had been the first to share the information with the general public?

Millie entered her room and rang for Sarah, who was doubtlessly already on her way up if the servants of the household had told her Millie had returned.

Her next two assignments were her focus now. She had to find something in Mr. Weston’s character to offer up as blackmail to Mrs. Vanderby, and then find a way for Lady Olivia to humiliate the baronet, Sir Isaac.

If his madness was real, and not generally known, it would be the perfect thing. A whole family could be ruined if madness was found in their family tree.

But that grounds man, or whoever he was, might have made the whole thing up. She nearly smiled again, remembering his jaunty walk and whistle.

Sarah entered the room, starched apron clean, a cap upon her head, and a frown fixed upon her face. “Miss Wedgwood, you have need of me?”

Millie smiled at Sarah through the mirror, allowing herself a moment to relax. “I do. Help me get this habit off, if you will, and tell me how you find your accommodations.”

“I can’t complain, miss. The maids have a big dormitory in the attics. I’ve been given a prime place sharing with Mrs. Vanderby’s maid.”

“That is useful,” Millie murmured, stepping out of her dress as Sarah lowered it carefully from her shoulders to the floor. “Perhaps that girl can give you more insight into Mr. Weston’s character. I confess, I am not certain how to work upon him when he does not even arrive for another fortnight.”

Sarah took the dress away to a closet and clothespress, leaving Millie to pace about in her shift. “I am afraid my foray into Sir Isaac’s territory did not go particularly well. I ran into a rather cheeky servant in the baronet’s employ.” She smirked to herself again, thinking on the way the man had side-stepped her questions and presented himself to her as handsome.

Clucking her tongue, Sarah brought out a gown of pale blue. “That sounds most distressing, miss. I hope you gave him a set down.”

“I confess, I did not.” Millie laughed when Sarah gaped at her, horrified. “Oh, I know I ought to have, but he was most amusing.” And there was something about that fire in his eyes she had liked. Not many men of nobility had that sort of brightness to them. A fierceness, really, that made her take notice. Gentlemen in Society, the nobility too, prided themselves on acting either as languidly as cats or as brash as fools.

Although Sarah appeared unimpressed, she went on to speak of her own findings. The schedule for the day, the mealtimes, the lay of the house, and when certain guests would arrive for various parties throughout the summer.

“People kept trying to pin down why you were here for such a long time, miss.” Sarah sniffed disdainfully. “I only told them you were a particular friend to Lady Olivia, at least so long as you remained interesting.”

“They would believe that.” Millie went to sit before the mirror once her dress had been laced properly. “Lady Olivia collects people the way others collect artwork. She shows them off for a time, then relegates them to some back room when she finds a new piece to admire.”

Sarah put Millie’s hair back to rights quickly. “You are ready to face whatever adventures come your way, miss.”

“Thank you, Sarah.” Though the maid did not approve of Millie’s actions, she had an unwavering loyalty that remained a comfort. With a light touch, Millie adjusted one of the large auburn curls that hung just behind her ear. The color of her hair might not be fashionable, but she had learned to make the most of it. If her hair was to attract attention, she might as well do her best to make it appealing.

Millie left her bedroom and went in search of entertainment. Though she doubted Lady Olivia actually wished to socialize with her, playing the part of a recluse in the beautiful house would not be borne. There must be things to keep her amused, rooms where she would be a bother to no one.

Descending to the first floor of the house, Millie searched out rooms meant for entertainment. A few servants, liveried footmen, raised eyebrows when she opened and closed doors to peek inside, but none forbade her curious exploration. She found the music room easily, with its large piano and artwork featuring the muses. The room even had all the curtains drawn back, as though welcoming any who wished to play upon the instruments, which included an elegant harp.

She immediately felt a pang of longing for her own instrument, in their small music room in London.

Millie left that room and kept on her way. Somehow, she did not think Lady Olivia would take kindly to anyone touching her instrument.

She came across a library after a sitting room and a billiard room, and there she walked inside. If she found a book and nothing more, she could be content enough.

The shelves were tall, sturdy, and stained a deep black to make the library austere. The many volumes had all been carefully curated to match, no matter the title. Every book was bound in brown leather with black and gold spines.

Running her fingertips along the books, she read them carefully and recognized a few titles of classic works. Books of philosophy and history. No novels. No volumes of poetry. Not in the grand display of shelves before her. She snorted and lowered her hand.

“I quite agree,” a deep voice said from behind.

Millie jumped and spun about, seeing a man lounging on the couch in the room. His hands were behind his head and he stared at her, almost indolently.

“I beg your pardon. I did not realize anyone was in the room.” Millie tilted her chin upward, not about to be cowed by the man. His dark blond hair and olive-green eyes easily marked him as Lady Olivia’s kin. He must be one of the brothers.

He shrugged and turned his attention back to the ceiling. “The room is big enough for a dozen people. No harm done.”

Millie hesitated a moment, trying to determine her best course of action. The family was powerful. Wealthy. Making a bad impression on even one of its members could create trouble for her while she went about Lady Olivia’s task, or in the future. “I am Miss Wedgewood.” There. He could do as he wished with her improper introduction.