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“Did you learn anything new today?” Isabel asked.

“Yes.” Millie’s answer was clipped. And then, “my lady.”

Isabel swallowed the uncomfortable feeling in her chest. “You don’t have to call me that.”

“Mrs. Pemberley says I should.”

A lump formed in her throat. Isabel mourned the loss of the brief but friendly relationship she’d shared with the girl. Perhaps it was a mistake hiring a governess so soon. It felt as though Millie regarded it as a form of betrayal.

Vane had expressed his concerns, too. Apparently, Millie was just as upset with him as she was with Isabel. But at least she still allowed him to tuck her in and complained to him about the many things Mrs. Pemberley forced her to learn.

But they’d both decided to give it a few more weeks. Perhaps Millie just needed time to adjust to her new governess. And with the house party looming over them, they could not reverse their decision. They would have to discuss it after the party was over.

The carriage jolted to a stop, and Isabel was glad. Millie would play with the villagers’ children now, and Isabel would express all her concerns to her dear friend.

As soon as Millicent’s feet hit the ground, she took off in the direction of her friends. Isabel smiled. Let her be a babe for an hour and not a lady.

She conversed with the villagers for a while, listening to their concerns and issues before walking toward Lilian’s house.

Lilian must have spotted her from the window because she exited the house and waved her inside. Her friend looked much bigger than the last time Isabel saw her. Or was it her imagination?

Lilian sauntered inside and put the kettle on. “I am so glad you came for a visit!” she exclaimed. “I find myself in a constant need to complain to somebody about this enormous belly I am carrying around all day. But I can’t complain to my husband, who is always just as tired as me. I cannot complain to my children since they would not understand. And especially not to any of my neighbors.”

Isabel smiled and took out the box with salted almonds. “You can complain to me all you want,” she said with a smile.

Lilian’s eyes turned liquid. “Oh, thank you! I didn’t have time to make them myself this week, and I wanted them so badly!” She covered her mouth with her palm and hiccupped.

Isabel walked toward her and patted her on the back. “Is everything well?”

Lilian nodded and wiped at her tears. “Yes, I just find myself overly emotional over every little thing.”

“When is the babe due?” Isabel asked as they both settled before the table.

“A week or two. I do not know for certain. I just hope it is soon.” She flipped the hair away from her face. “I can’t bend down properly, I cannot walk as quickly as I did before, and this house just seems so tiny!” She took a deep breath.

The kettle whistled, and Isabel shot up. “Please, Lilian, let me get the kettle. I know how to pour tea.”

“Oh!” Lilian’s eyes watered again. She blew into her handkerchief. “A lady of the estate is pouring me tea! You are so exceptionally kind!”

Isabel stifled a chuckle. When Lilian said she was overly emotional, she wasn’t exaggerating.

Lilian fanned her flushed cheeks. “I shall be crying all day if you let me. Please, tell me, how are things at the manor?”

“Well, actually, I came here with the hope of complaining to you, too.”

“Oh, good!” Lilian instantly brightened up. “Please, tell me. I want to hear somebody else complain for a moment.”

Isabel quickly told Lilian about the trouble with the governess and how her relationship with Millie had regressed in such a short time.

Lilian listened to her with avid interest.

“So, she does not like her governess? Well, it is hardly a surprise. A free-spirited young girl like Millicent is bound to dislike being cooped up in the nursery. And she was always by his lordship’s side. It is nothing to worry over, I promise.”

“You think so?” Isabel expelled a breath of relief.

“I had five babes, darling. I know how they can act sometimes. Just give her time to adjust.”

Isabel nodded. “Thank you, I feel a tad better now.”