Epilogue
Neville and Millie arrived at Harbury House late in the afternoon, Millie still dressed in her borrowed gown and Neville in John’s ill-fitting shirt. They were met with a flurry of embraces.
Cassie wept openly. Eliza demanded every detail.
Lady Neville clasped both their hands and declared them the bravest fools she’d ever known.
Even Harbury emerged from his “sickbed” to grip Neville’s shoulder with genuine relief, all but the young man standing uncertainly by the window who captured Millie’s attention.
“John,” she said with a warm smile. “How wonderful to see you.”
“Greetings”—he smiled shyly—“sister.”
Neville crossed the room in three strides. The brothers embraced—awkwardly at first, then fiercely. Both had reddened eyes.
“You’re well?” Neville asked.
“Vastly improved, now that this nightmare is over.” John turned to Millie. “I hear you saved my brother’s life.”
“I had help,” Millie demurred.
“But you rode to his rescue.” John bowed. “I’m forever in your debt, Lady Neville.”
“Nonsense.” She smiled. “We’re family now.”
The word hung in the air—family. Millie realized it was true. She’d gained not just a husband, but a brother, a mother-in-law. She’d always had her sisters, and now that circle had widened.
Most importantly, she had gained the freedom to be exactly who she was.
“The Runner sent word,” Lady Neville said quietly. “The women from the lodge have been returned to their families. With the compensation Eltenham provided, and Dixon’s connections, arrangements are being made for their futures.” She teared up. “New starts are beautiful.”
“Beautiful,” Millie echoed. But enough? Millie wasn’t sure.
Lady Neville continued, “Dixon said one of the girls—the bravest of them—wants to testify. Not against Willard, obviously, but against the other men who were there. If she’s willing, he believes he can build a case.”
“I’ll help,” Millie said immediately. “However I can.”
Neville’s hand found hers. “We’ll help.”
She smiled up at him. “Yes, we.”
Family. She reminded herself. Born, found, and chosen.
*
“La!” Emily dropped onto a settee in the far corner of the room. “Did you see the looks Millie gives Neville! Stuffy old Neville!” She giggled. “I’m fantastically aghast.”
Nettie chuckled. “At least now, if Blackwell would deign to glance in my direction, I know how to look at him.”
Emily linked her arm through Nettie’s. “Oh, we’ll come up with some way of capturing his attention before next Season. By then, Lenora and Asquith should be—”
Nettie stuck an elbow in Emily’s side, silencing her just as Millie wandered over.
“Where is Lenora?” Millie asked.
Emily and Nettie stared up, eyes wide with innocence.
“Lenora?” Nettie asked.
“Your sister?” Millie prompted.
“Terribly ill,” Emily replied. “Hasn’t left the room in days.”
Millie narrowed her gaze. “Has she seen a doctor?”
“Of course,” Emily replied. “He recommended rest. Didn’t he, Nettie?”
Nettie nodded. “Rest.”
Millie glanced around, making sure no one was nearby. “Is there any possible way Lenora was meeting with Asquith in the stables?”
Nettie sucked in her lips.
“Lenora?” Emily laughed. “What a perfectly outrageous idea.”
“Nettie…” Millie warned. “Tell me the truth.”
“The truth is that Lenora is indisposed. I don’t know anything about her sneaking around in stables.”
Millie exhaled.
“I’d rather talk about Nettie,” Emily said, in a confidentially significant whisper. “I’ve assured her we would come up with some way for her to capture Blackwell’s attention next Season. Best the baron, so to speak.”
Millie pursed her lips, casting a glance at Neville. “I’m not entirely sure that’s a good idea.”
Emily and Nettie exchanged a glance. Emily rolled her eyes.
“I saw that,” Millie said. “Back to Lenora.”
“Well,” Nettie reasoned, “if you don’t believe us, what do you think is really going on?”
“Answering a question with a question—I invented that trick!”
“You know how much time we spent scheming to get her alone with Asquith,” Nettie replied.
Millie closed her eyes. “She hasn’t… She’s not….”
Again, Emily and Nettie exchanged a glance.
Emily’s eyes sparkled. “I do believe she has, and I do believe she did.”
Millie closed her eyes. “I promised Neville I wouldn’t be a scandal.”
“You won’t,” Nettie pointed out.
“Don’t worry,” Emily took Millie’s hand and gave her fingers a pat. “I’m sure Lenora has things well in hand.”
The End