Chapter Fourteen #2
Once they were fully out of danger, he’d devote himself to nurturing her nascent trust. And then, maybe… He gazed down, feeling an almost tangible love. Love like a premonition of the thousands of tender moments yet to blossom between them.
But was wanting to express that kind of love asking too much, too soon?
Across the room, the wall clock chimed the hour, an external demand that he attend his duty.
“Loath as I am to leave you, I told my mother I would meet her back at the townhouse after she called on Lady Eltenham.”
She scowled. “Again, Willard intrudes.”
“Millie.” He cupped her cheek. “One way or another, I will see Willard punished for what he’s done.”
“Of course.” She blinked. “We will save John. Punish Willard. I will have a sparkling reputation as we settle down to domestic bliss at…” A crease appeared between her brows. “What was the name of your estate?”
“Fountainwood.”
“Ah, yes. Fountainwood.” She glanced up and over his shoulder, as if trying to picture the place in her mind. “Interesting name.”
“The manor sits like a fountain at the top of a hill surrounded by woodland.”
“I love literal house names,” she said with a touch too much enthusiasm. “Now, where was I? Ah, yes. Domestic bliss…”
“Millie…” He interrupted.
She hazarded a glance.
“It’s understandable to be scared.”
She inhaled sharply. “That obvious, am I?”
He threaded their hands together. “Perhaps only to me?”
“It’s almost unbearable to be so happy, if a touch bewildered. I’ve a future I never expected laid out before me. But how can I indulge such excitement knowing Willard is out there hurting other women and possibly plotting revenge?”
“I understand.” He held her closely.
“In the theater, you said the woman you were with identified Willard.”
“She did. And she gave me an address that may or may not have been where the crime took place. I was late coming back from the theater because I hired a Runner to investigate her claims.”
“Have you heard anything?”
He shook his head. “Too soon.”
“Do you still have the address?”
“Gerard has a copy of Mrs. Cartwright’s letter. I’m glad I didn’t set off to investigate on my own. I might have done, had I not been so worried about you.”
She snuggled closer.
He continued, “The young woman my mother found provided a description of the woman who first abducted her, and that description matched Mrs. Cartwright right down to a verbal eccentricity.”
“That is troubling…” She squeezed his hand. “Maybe larger suprises are in store, too. Frankly, we need a miracle. Willard preyed on children and women not of his class. Can you honestly tell me any peer, judge, or jury is going to care?”
“There is another possibility that might bring an end to Willard’s game. That’s where my mother’s visit comes in.”
She frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“When Willard’s father hears of his dash through the corridor, not to mention the drugging of Lady Eltenham, his father could be convinced to check him.”
“Can you meet with your mother here? I don’t like the idea of letting you out of my sight.”
He smiled. She was worried about him? “I promise to come straight back to you after meeting with my mother. Just be patient a little bit longer.”
“I don’t want to keep hiding. Especially not from him.”
“I know.” He kissed her soothingly. Lingeringly.
“I have to go, now. I’m going to go down to the kitchen level to shave and get dressed—no, don’t protest. I’ve already made arrangements with Gerard.
I promise I will return by noon.” He kissed her forehead.
“You set to work designing that habit. It’ll be stunning, I am sure.
And when I get back, we will discuss our next steps. ”
“Very well.” She sent him a warning look. “Just make sure you are back by midday.”
“Nothing could keep me from your side.”
She nodded.
He cupped her cheeks and took his fill of her face before reluctantly leaving through the dressing room. He’d be back just as soon as he could.
*
Millie slid onto the claw-footed swivel stool in front of the pianoforte in Harbury’s parlor. She laid out Hebrew Melodies, a collection of twelve scores arranged by Isaac Nathan with lyrics written by George Gorden, Lord Byron. She turned the pages until she reached “She Walks In Beauty.”
And all that’s best of dark and bright/ Meet in her aspect and her eyes.
Ah, the expression Neville had worn when he’d quoted the poem to her the prior night. Perhaps the music would calm her, make her feel closer to Neville while he was away.
She began to play.
Memory and melody filled her mind, briefly chasing away her worries. For a few minutes, she existed in a place where tone, feeling, and creative expression combined, transforming her anxiety to poignancy. But when the song ended, so did her reprieve.
“That was lovely,” Cassie spoke from the doorway. “Do go on to the next in the collection, dearest. I haven’t heard you play in a long time.”
Millie hadn’t played since they’d all left Willowhurst. She wouldn’t have played now, if not for the need to drown her wayward imaginings.
She cast a bleak gaze over her shoulder.
Cassie rested her back against the jamb, and her pensive expression shifted into one of concern. “Your mood has taken a turn since breakfast.”
“I know. I have the oddest sense of…. I don’t know.” Millie dropped her shoulders. “Shouldn’t Neville have been back by now?”
Cassie opened her mouth to reply but stopped. Then, she tilted her head as if listening. Then, Millie heard the sound, too—a noise emanating from the back of the house.
Someone had just come in.
“Perhaps he has just returned.” Cassie leaned back so she could see down the corridor. “And here’s Aunt Jane.” She glanced back and met Millie’s gaze. She lowered her voice. “Neville must have brought her back with him, don’t you think?”
Surely, he had.
Which meant he was likely taking care of the carriages, now. Millie exhaled. Soon, he would appear in the doorway and then stride to her side. She would catch her breath, admire his broad shoulders, and then, the comfort she felt in his presence would return.
Neville alone could banish her panic.
“Duchess.” Lady Neville greeted Cassie with a kiss. “And my lovely new daughter-in-law.” She squeezed Millie’s hands.
“Lady Neville!” Millie forced a smile. “Were you able to see Lady Eltenham this morning?”
“I went over to the Eltenham townhouse, but, unfortunately, Lucinda was not home to me. I did insist on speaking with Lord Eltenham, however. And you may be sure I gave him a piece of my mind.”
“Really?” Cassie marveled. “He’s so very fierce!”
Lady Neville scoffed. “I’ve known Eltenham since long before he reached his majority. Men you remember in short pants are far less intimidating.”
Perhaps. But that didn’t mean they were less dangerous! “What did you say to him?”
“I told him every nefarious scheme his son Willard has instigated.”
“Every?” Millie’s throat dried.
“Every,” Lady Neville confirmed. “From the attempt to frame my poor John, to the worrisome indications he’s abducted other girls, to his behavior toward you, child.”
“Well, that was certainly brave,” Cassie commented.
Brave. Yes. And possibly unwise.
Neville had wanted to collect evidence before involving Lord Eltenham. They didn’t yet know who else besides Willard might be involved.
Lady Neville waved a raised finger in the air as if she were scolding Eltenham in the present.
“Just as I suspected, what affected Eltenham most wasn’t Willard’s actual crimes, but his public behavior.
How he hadn’t heard by now, I do not know.
I can only assume that, when Willard is out of town, he ceases to be of concern to his father. ”
“Did Eltenham give any indication where Willard might have gone?” Millie asked.
“No,” Lady Neville replied. “But the porter told me Willard spends a great deal of time at a lodge down near Brighton and was assumed to be there.”
“Lady Eltenham’s brother’s lodge.”
A prickling sensation spread over Millie’s scalp. Could that lodge and the one the Runner was investigating be one and the same? She couldn’t wait to suggest the theory to Neville.
“Well,” Cassie said, “I think I could learn a great deal from you, Aunt Jane.”
“I’m always at your disposal, my dear.” Lady Neville began pulling off her gloves. “Now, I’m anxious to discuss Eltenham’s reaction with my son. Where is Neville?”
Cassie and Millie exchanged an alarmed glance.
“You didn’t come over together?” Cassie asked. At the same time, Millie said, “He was going to meet you.”
“Yes, that’s what we agreed.” Lady Neville’s gaze moved between the sisters. “I waited, but there wasn’t any sign of him at the townhouse.”
Millie covered her mouth.
“Don’t worry, dearest,” Cassie said. “Neville probably just went on an errand.”
“No.” Millie shook her head. “No!” she reiterated, louder. “He promised me he would come directly back here after he met with Lady Neville. He wouldn’t have lied to me. He knew how concerned I was.”
“Perhaps he did not lie,” Cassie suggested carefully. “Perhaps something urgent came up.”
Millie weighed the possibility. No. Neville had been quite clear. And he wouldn’t make a promise he did not intend to keep. She stood up, fists clenched at her sides.
“Neville is in trouble.” She crossed the room. “I just know.”
“And where are you going?” Cassie said.
“To summon Gerard.”
“I’ll go,” Cassie said. “You stay here with Aunt Jane.”
Millie nodded stiffly as Cassie went out into the hall.
“Let us not assume the worst,” Lady Neville said softly. “Ambrose is capable. And I know he won’t let anything, especially Willard, keep him from a life with the lady he loves.”
Millie’s gaze flew to hers and held. “Loves,” she echoed.
“He didn’t have to tell me,” Lady Neville answered Millie’s unspoken question. “His every look, his every action, has proven the matter beyond a doubt.”
Millie turned away.