Chapter 7
As their group came into The Devil’s Dyke Inn north of Brighton, Milton arranged for a room for the ladies to freshen up before they continued on their travels.
Once he had seen to their comfort and ordered tea to be brought up, he motioned for George to follow him into the tavern.
Frustration that they had been robbed by a highwayman while Josephine was under his watch continued to gnaw at him.
Richard would have his head once he learned the news, although how Milton and George could have prevented the robbery was beyond him.
The small purse Milton had lost was nothing compared to having to hand over Josephine’s gems to the bandit.
And poor George… he had been complaining about the loss of his stickpin and Onyx ring as if these were the last items of any value that he owned.
Milton was perfectly aware that the jewelry items were two of many that George was fond of wearing.
“I need a drink,” George said in a nasty tone. “I shouldn’t have agreed to come with you to the country. Nothing good ever comes of my leaving the city.”
Milton chuckled. “I’m sure there will be a house party or two to attend in or near Brighton,” Milton informed his friend as he took a seat and waved a hand to a servant to bring them drinks. “Besides, I thought you’d enjoy the fun.”
“A house party, yes. Getting my jewelry stolen by some no-account thief, absolutely not,” he grumbled as he ordered an ale.
“You still look your resplendent self, Georgie,” Milton declared with a smirk.
George dusted off an imaginary speck from his jacket. “Of course, I look resplendent. I would hardly go out looking like anything else but magnificent.”
Milton’s eyes traveled to the stairs, waiting for a glimpse of Josephine.
He worried over her and how she handled being accosted and robbed of her jewelry.
She had more or less managed everything well, considering the piece was sentimental to her.
He wished there was a way he could find the necklace again and return it to her possession. The odds of that were slim.
George took a sip of his drink. “Will you propose to our girl soon?” he asked with a knowing grin.
Milton gave a heavy sigh. “She hasn’t forgiven me as yet, but maybe soon.”
“I was certain the way she automatically dozed off on you that you would persuade her at your first opportunity. Anyone with eyes in their head can see for themselves you are meant to be together.”
Milton raised his glass to his lips and drank. “Tell that to Josie. She’s still of a mind to marry the viscount, I believe.”
“Bah!” George muttered. “He’s a nice enough chap, but he’ll never have a piece of her heart. You already claimed it long ago.”
“A fact of which I plan to remind her as much as I humanly can,” Milton declared, wondering how long such an admission might take.
“Stop being such a braying arse, then,” George suggested. “You’re being way too cocky, as if you’ve already won the girl. Josie isn’t a fool and can certainly see right through your ruse.”
Milton scowled. “You heard our conversation.”
“You really didn’t think I was dozing, did you?” George smirked.
“I had hoped,” Milton muttered, listening as George chuckled in amusement.
The door of the inn opened, allowing entrance to those seeking the warmth of the room, and George muttered a curse. “This is bad luck,” he grumbled.
Milton shook his head. “I doubt we need any more. What is happening that I can’t see to make you say such a thing?”
“Look who just arrived,” George replied, with a nod of his head toward the entrance to the inn.
Milton swiveled in his chair, and if he hadn’t been seated, he might well have fallen over. “Well… this is bad luck, isn’t it?” he finally answered when he found his voice, as he witnessed Viscount Upton entering the tavern as though they had conjured the man up from thin air.
The viscount gave a wave to George, who was far more familiar with the man than Milton. “Lord Chadwick… and Lord Langley,” Philip said, performing a short bow. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
George nodded. “An unexpected change of plans, Philip. Richard asked us to accompany his sister to Brighton. Unfortunately, we were accosted along the way,” George explained, waving for a servant to bring another drink.
“Bloody hell, you too?” Philip cursed. “I was held up just north of here. Are Lady Josephine and Mrs. Elford well from the ordeal?” he asked with a frown of worry.
Milton nodded. “As well as can be expected. I had a room readied for them so they might freshen up before we continue our journey.”
Philip’s gaze turned toward the stairs much as Milton had done just moments ago.
He began to realize this younger man cared for Josephine probably as much as he himself did.
Milton didn’t mind competition for Josephine’s hand if it meant that he would have the lady at his side in the end.
His thoughts of the lovely lady upstairs were interrupted by George’s invitation to the viscount.
“You might as well join us, Philip. No sense in standing there waiting for the ladies’ arrival,” George said, sweeping his hand to one of the vacant chairs. “They’ll be down once they’re done, and that could still be a while.”
Milton couldn’t hide his disapproval at George’s suggestion as he tossed his friend a meaningful glare that George shrugged off.
Philip took a seat and the conversation turned to mundane things.
Milton had no other option but to contribute, as their discussion circled around current affairs.
But as much as he wanted to dislike the viscount, Milton was quickly learning that George was right in one assumption.
Philip was a nice enough gentleman, and Milton could begin to understand why Josephine might wish to marry him.
But Milton was just as determined that he could convince the lady otherwise.
And then… there she stood, and it was as though all the air rushed from his lungs, knowing she was near.
Her blonde hair had been put back into place, and she looked refreshed, much like a newly budded spring rose.
When their eyes locked from across the room, a becoming blush rushed to her cheeks.
That was… until her hazel eyes widened upon noticing who else was seated at their table.
Milton watched her features as she adjusted to this new development while she and Julia came to their table.
The men stood and bowed until Philip held out a chair for Josephine.
She took a seat while Philip held her hand. She finally found her voice. “Lord Upton… I didn’t expect to see you until tomorrow at Julia’s house,” she said in a low tone, her eyes on the viscount, much to Milton’s annoyance.
“You are a vision of loveliness this afternoon, my lady,” Philip answered, beaming as he bent forward to kiss the air between his mouth and her fingertips.
She gave a hint of a smile before pulling back her hand, causing a part of Milton to stir in jealousy because he wasn’t the recipient of such a sweet look.
He might have more competition for Josephine’s hand than he originally thought, and he began to worry that he had perhaps actually lost her to another.
“You are too kind, my lord,” she murmured softly, before her gaze went around to those seated.
When her face turned to his, Milton swore the day was all the brighter just because Josephine smiled at him.
“If you’re done with your drinks, Julia and I are more than ready to proceed to her house.
It will be a welcome relief to finally get off these roads. ”
Milton nodded and reached for her hand, taking advantage that he now had her undivided attention.
He caressed its back while staring into her eyes.
“We only waited for your return. We can begin the last part of our journey whenever you are ready, my dear,” he said now, bringing her hand up to his lips.
Protocol be damned as he heard her startled gasp of surprise leave her lips.
“Perhaps you and Mrs. Elford would like to ride in my carriage. It’s not far to Brighton, and I can ensure you arrive there safely,” Philip urged, with another look of longing at the lady.
Not one to be ignored, Milton observed Philip as he, too, reached for Josephine, and if they weren’t careful, they’d end up having a tug-of-war for her attention.
Josephine appeared torn between the two men, causing George to laugh. The look of reprimand she sharply tossed at him ended his merriment. She tugged both of her hands from the two men’s grasp.
Milton stood, and the rest in their party did the same. “I gave my word to Richard that I would see these two ladies to their destination. I’m certain you can understand that I must keep my word,” he proclaimed, ending any further suggestion that the viscount would steal the women away.
Philip nodded but he didn’t look pleased. “Of course,” he replied giving a short bow. “I will see you tomorrow, Lady Josephine, when you will have the pleasure of meeting my parents.”
Josephine nodded. “I look forward to meeting them, Viscount Upton.”
With that last exchange, Milton offered Josephine his arm, and he was pleased she readily accepted as he placed her hand in the crook of his elbow.
The rest of the ride to Brighton remained uneventful, and Milton was relieved they didn’t run into any more highwaymen after their valuables.
Still… he just might need to stay in town longer than anticipated, if he wanted any chance of winning Josephine.