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“If I promise to absolve myself, will you absolve yourself, too?”

Asquith lifted his brows. “There’s an idea.”

In fact, he already had.

Neville rested a hand on Asquith’s shoulder and squeezed.

Asquith acknowledged the gesture by briefly pursing his lips.

He was so very far beyond where his friend assumed, but explanations would have to wait.

Presently, they both must devote themselves to the principles—and the loves—that mattered.

“I understand Eltenham has already ordered you a post chaise?” Asquith asked.

“Yes,” Neville replied. “Unless you need us here, I’m inclined to get myself to a place where I can wash and change.”

“I’ll have the tollkeeper stable my horses and send Barker for them after they’ve rested.” He needed a fresh horse to get back to London as soon as humanly possible. “A woman up there told Dixon she wishes to speak with you. Wheelwright?”

“Cartwright,” Neville corrected. He turned to Millie. “Do you mind?”

“Go on,” Millie said.

Neville walked past. Perhaps he would later explain why he’d hired the Runner and how he knew the mysterious Mrs. Cartwright.

“Was the woman in the stables—” Millie started.

“Don’t ask a question you don’t truly wish me to answer,” Asquith interrupted.

Millie’s right brow arched. “Don’t break her heart, too. That’s the least you can do to make up for your insult to Lenora.”

“And what of my heart, Mil?”

She frowned.

“No. Don’t answer,” he said. “This doesn’t concern you. And I never promised Lenora...” He paused. He was running out of lies. Millie would know the truth soon enough.

He’d promised Lenora a great deal. Every one of his promises he intended to keep.

“You never promised her...?”

“Perfection,” he finished.

Nor would she expect perfection of him. Just love. Just understanding.

Millie glanced back at the barn. “Do you know what Lord Eltenham said? He said he didn’t blame Willard for his nature, only his ‘appalling lack of discretion’ and his ‘indulgence without heed to family and position.’” She made a face. “He said that was something a civilized society cannot tolerate. As if the damage to the young women was nothing at all.”

He wasn’t surprised. “I’ve made Eltenham promise to help them.”

“Good.” Millie nodded to herself. “That’s something, I suppose.”

The tollkeeper’s son came running down the drive waving his hands.

“I have a message.” He stopped abruptly and slanted Millie a suspicious glance. “Private.”

Millie snorted in disgust. “Your lady bird must have followed you here.”

Asquith cursed. “She better not have. Millie, I—