Page 23 of Engaging Sir Isaac

“I have no idea what you mean, Lord Neil.” Millie’s feigned innocence did nothing to soften his expression, nor to remove his suspicion.

“Miss Wedgewood.” He pushed away from the wall and offered her his arm. She took it, though his cordiality was clearly naught but a tool meant to get his way. “Did you know that I have been banished from all Inglewood lands?”

What on earth could such a confession mean? Millie shook her head. “I hadn’t heard such a thing, my lord. Is there a particular reason for that unlucky fate?”

They walked slowly down the corridor, lit by windows along one side, the other lined with closed doors.

“I insulted Lord Inglewood by flirting with his countess.”

Millie startled and pulled them to a stop. “You did what?” She took in the nobleman’s warm eyes, a mix of brown and green, and the wave of his dark blond hair. He certainly was handsome, and dressed with an obvious sense of fashion, yet she hadn’t thought him a great flirt or a scoundrel. To admit to such a thing, to such an intent upon a married woman, marked him as both.

And yet. There was still something about him. Something that made his character, the outward manifestation of vanity and selfishness, feel false. His sister was as she presented herself. But there was something different about Lord Neil.

“You need not appear so shocked, Miss Wedgewood.” His sly grin returned, yet the merriment did not reach his eyes. “The upper-classes are full of people who not only flirt but also bed those married to others. I thought to try my luck with Lady Inglewood.” He shrugged and continued their walk, pulling her gently along beside him.

His confession did nothing to raise him, or the rest of Society, in her estimation. Though not naïve, Millie preferred not to think of what the upper echelons of Society deemed appropriate behavior. Everyone with wit enough to read a newspaper knew the Crown Prince himself had mistresses and that fidelity was often sniffed at; those with titles and money and the favor of their peers never suffered overlong for their indiscretions.

That was not a part of society Millie had any interest in joining.

“Not only did the countess rebuff my every advance, with a fierce loyalty to her husband’s good name, but she carried herself with graciousness throughout my ill-conceived plans. Nor has she treated me with anything other than neighborly kindness since her husband’s proclamation.” Lord Neil’s grin was part predatory, part admiration. “I rather like her. Which brings me back to my point.” He released her arm and stepped away, looking down upon Millie with that same expression on his face. “Whatever my sister has done to persuade you to her side, whatever plans the two of you have made, leave Lady Inglewood out of it or you will suffer the wrath of many a person who esteems her.”

He bowed while Millie’s mouth fell open in her surprise. “But when you knew about Sir Isaac—”

He waved a hand to interrupt her. “I care not at all for Fox. Olivia and you can have your way with him.” He turned his back on her and walked back the way he had come, saying over his shoulder, “But you have been warned regarding Lady Inglewood.”

Interesting of him to come to the defense of a woman who had rejected his advances.

Millie stared after him, trying to puzzle out Lady Olivia and her brother. They were a strange pair. If she did not need Lady Olivia’s influence, her sponsorship back into the bosom of Society, Millie would pack her trunks that instant and return home.

But her mother might not allow Millie to return. The acceptance of the nobility, the repair of their family’s status, was all that mattered to Mildred Wedgewood, formerly Lady Mildred, daughter of a viscount, granddaughter to an earl and duke. If Millie ruined their last chance to rise once more into an exalted sphere of titles and wealth, fashion and sophistication, her banishment from her mother’s life would leave her quite alone in the world.

Why had Emmeline ruined everything by running off with that horrid Welsh barrister?

Returning to her room, Millie rang for her maid. Not only did she need to dress for an afternoon of quiet, but her maid would have to accompany her, and they would need to bring a dress for her to change into for dinner. Lady Inglewood had even instructed Millie to bring “something to work upon.”

Despite Lord Neil’s warning and Lady Olivia’s temper, Millie anticipated the time with the countess almost happily.

The image she inked on her box had begun to take shape the previous afternoon, while she’d puzzled over her chance encounter with Sir Isaac. She could easily pack up the things she needed to continue that work within the box itself. No matter what Lady Olivia wished, or Lord Neil warned, Millie would permit herself to enjoy an afternoon with someone who hadn’t sneered at her favorite artistic pursuit.

Although Lord Neil’s warning meant reevaluation of her plans, yet again. No flirting with Sir Isaac, no betrayal of Lady Inglewood, yet she must satisfy Lady Olivia’s demands.

If she knew why Lady Olivia wished ill on the baronet, perhaps it would help matters.

As she slipped a gown the color of her favorite pansies over her head, Sarah helping, Millie found herself looking forward to the afternoon immensely. Lord Neil’s warning had come as a relief. She had no wish to hurt Lady Inglewood. Not when the woman had been kind.

Sarah packed a small bundle of Millie’s things for the evening, then accompanied Millie down to the ground floor of the large house to wait for the promised Inglewood carriage. That was another thing; the countess did not expect Millie to walk in order to wait upon her. Lady Inglewood was thoughtful.

If only the countess had the same connections as Lady Olivia. The sort of connections that would make Millie’s mother happy. Then Millie might prevail upon Lady Inglewood to help her.

As the carriage bearing the Inglewood crest of red birds on a yellow field appeared, Millie brushed away those ideas. Most likely, if Lady Inglewood knew of the Wedgewood family’s shame, she would turn up her nose at Millie. Many members of the nobility and aristocracy as kind and gracious as Lady Inglewood had already done so.

She stepped up into the carriage and the groom handed Sarah up behind her. Sarah, one of the few who knew how terribly Emmeline’s betrayal had cost all of them. Thank goodness for Sarah and her loyalty.

“This promises to be a lovely afternoon, miss,” Sarah said, her eyes on the window and not on her troubled mistress. “The Inglewood servants are most accommodating. Last time we visited, they let me sit about drinking tea like I was a fine guest myself.”

Millie sighed deeply, reflecting with gratitude how much Sarah meant to her. “I am glad to hear it. I hope you pass as pleasant an afternoon as I shall.”

When Emmeline had left in the night, it was Millie who had gone to tell her betrothed. Lord Carning, the spoiled grandson of a duke, third in line for the title, hadn’t been pleased. He had been inebriated. And he also had made highly inappropriate remarks and advances upon Millie. Only Sarah’s quick-thinking had kept Millie from being another reason for her family to hang their heads in shame.