Chapter 5
Milton stood in the foyer of Josephine’s townhouse waiting for the lady to come down from upstairs.
George had already escorted Julia to the waiting carriage that would take them to Brighton.
The trip had been planned with a stop in Normanton to rest the horses before continuing on.
Their wagons carrying their belongings, along with the men hired to guard them, had already departed.
He and George would see the ladies to their destination before continuing to his country house the next day.
George had already sent word for his townhouse to be opened for an overnight stay.
Milton didn’t wish to leave until he knew Josephine was settled.
He had quickly begun to realize that his not being in town would present a problem.
How else was he to convince her not to wed Viscount Upton, if he wasn’t near enough to prove to her that he still cared?
He might need to rethink his plans so he could continue to pursue her; otherwise he might lose her forever.
He couldn’t imagine his life without Josephine beside him.
She was a vision of loveliness when she descended the staircase.
Her blonde hair with darker highlights was fashionably set in a pleasing coiffure.
Her hat was set at a jaunty angle while a few curls fell across her cheeks.
She was donning a pair of silk gloves as she reached the last step.
He watched her take a deep breath before she turned those stunning hazel eyes in his direction.
His breath caught in his throat as he realized, for the hundredth time, that he should have never left without her a year ago. He had been such a fool!
“Good morning, Josie,” he said softly, giving her a bow. “You look enchanting today.”
“Lord Langley,” she returned, dropping into a curtsey.
The correctness of using his title was not lost upon him, much to his dismay. “So formal, my lady? You’ve called me by my first name all our lives whenever we were alone together.”
“Times change,” she said, keeping her voice low.
“It would grieve me deeply if we couldn’t at the very least remain friends, Josephine. We’ve known one another since we were children,” he added quietly, while reaching for her hand. He rubbed the back in a gentle caress.
“Can you blame me that I am not happy with the situation that I have been placed in? Richard gave me no say in the matter, and just made this outrageous plan without even consulting me.”
“I understand completely how upset you must be, but we only have your best interest and, of course, your safety as our main concerns. I would think you would also understand how dear you are to all of us, and we wouldn’t like to see any harm befall you.”
She gave a heavy sigh. “I suppose,” she replied, although Milton could see it was reluctant.
He gave her the briefest of nods. “George and Julia are already waiting outside in the carriage, if you’re ready to leave,” he said, while watching her intently.
That she remained aloof with him shouldn’t have surprised him in the least, but that didn’t mean the snub of her indifference didn’t sting.
“Since Richard left me with no choice on who would accompany us, then I am as ready as I’ll ever be,” she declared sharply. One of her brows rose when she continued, “Unless you’ve changed your mind.”
“Why would I deprive myself of your lovely company, Josephine?” he asked with a crooked grin.
“Because you are well aware that I am spoken for,” she snapped.
Amused by her answer, he couldn’t help but make his own sharp retort. “Really? According to Richard, such is not the case. Did Upton ask you to marry him without your brother’s blessing?”
“The only reason I am going to Brighton is to meet his family,” she said firmly.
“So, he has not asked for your hand as yet. Good! That still leaves me time to change your mind about how you currently feel about me,” he said with another grin.
“I have already informed you that whatever we had between us ended over a year ago. What part of our most recent conversation of I have moved on and so should you didn’t sink into your head?” she inquired, with a frown.
He lifted her fingertips to his lips, wishing he could feel her skin beneath his mouth instead of the fabric of her glove. “Call me a hopeless romantic.”
A half snort, half laugh left her lips. “Romantic? You? I believe any notion I had of you in such a manner has been tarnished by a year’s absence.”
“I hope to make my departure up to you with what I assume will be a fair amount of groveling at your feet, no doubt.”
The briefest smile lifted the corner of her lip before she hid her amusement once more. It gave him a slim amount of hope.
“Dare I ask for a truce between us, Josie?”
She peered up at him from those hazel eyes he remembered getting lost in while he courted her. “We shall see. In the meantime, we shouldn’t keep George and Julia waiting any longer than we have. Shall we go?”
“Of course, my lady,” he replied, holding out his arm for her to take. She gently placed her fingertips in the crook of his arm, and inwardly he was pleased that she allowed him this small concession.
They went outside to the waiting carriage, As Josephine went inside, Milton stood at the door while she looked at George and her companion sitting together in the backward facing seat. George appeared as though he had already dozed off and Milton was thankful for the possible ruse.
Josephine scooted over on the seat. “Julia,” she whispered softly, “change places with me.”
Julia shook her head. “Get yourself settled, Josephine,” she said with a small smile, while Milton finally came to sit next to his lady. “I know how the motion of sitting backwards doesn’t agree with you. Enjoy the forward-facing scenery and trip.”
Once Milton saw that everyone was indeed settled, he rapped on the roof to signal the driver to be off.
The carriage wheels began to roll down the street, and while Josephine pretended to ignore him by looking out the window, he knew without any doubt that there was no way they wouldn’t have any sort of conversation on the long road trip to Brighton.