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“A marriage of convenience.” Tillie grimaced.
“That’s right.”
Tillie wrinkled her nose. “But I’m a woman of reason and Millie one of heart. How do I know you aren’t just playing to each of us?”
He stared at her, her words really hurting. “Your opinion of me is really so low?”
She shook her head. “Try not to sound so offended. In your defense, I’m not the best at understanding people. I really only like my family and a very few friends—and of them, Millie is one of my absolute favorites. I have to protect her.”
That did make him feel slightly better.
Tillie sighed. “Both my brother and sister like you, which speaks to your favor.”
He eased back scrubbing his face again. “Millie likes me?”
“Well, she did almost let you kiss her. I’d say so.”
He drew in several steadying breaths. “My affection for your sister has everything to do with my heart and nothing to do with my earldom. I’d happily forgo her dowry for the chance to prove my affection.”
“And the goods from my brother?”
He shook his head. “Those are being obtained in fair trade in exchange for my own labor.”
Tillie gave a nod. “True.”
He pushed out further onto his seat. “Tillie, I have kept my silence to honor our agreement out of an affection for you and a need to be as honorable as I can be. But the secret you asked me to keep has done real damage to Millie. She’s been tearing herself up over the affection that has naturally been growing between the two of us.”
Tillie winced. “Even I could see how hurt she was.”
“Might I urge you to tell your family the truth?”
Tillie shook her head. “I don’t even know what the truth is. Millie says that I’m scared of marriage and that’s why I’ve been avoiding it. I think she might be right. But I’ve never been particularly good at feelings and I’m afraid to try.”
His eyes widened as he looked at her. “I bet she also told you that you’re capable of anything.”
Tillie gave him a soft smile as the carriage slowed. “You do know, Millie, don’t you?”
Some small hope fluttered in his chest.
The door opened and he stepped out, holding out his hand to help Tillie down. “I’d like to think I’m getting to know her. But I am afraid…”
Tillie stepped down, her hand still in his. “Afraid?”
“Your mother has such grand plans and Millie doesn’t seem able to resist her.”
Tillie nipped at her lip. “True. And only Millie can choose to free herself from our mother’s influence. That is one lesson that came more easily to me.”
“Do you think…” Parker took Tillie’s other hand. “I know you have your reservations but perhaps you could encourage Millie to stand up for herself. Find her own path. Follow her heart.”
Distantly, he heard the rumbling of another carriage, but he ignored it as he looked at Tillie, hope welling in his chest.
“I don’t know…” Tillie worried her lip. “I don’t mean to deny you but I’d hate to encourage her down the wrong path.”
“I’m not asking you to push her in my direction, only help her to see that she should find her own way instead of allowing your mother to dictate her future.”
Tillie smiled at him, a glowing look that really transformed her features. “You really have gotten to know my family quite well.”
“Please, Tillie. I promise that if the path does lead your sister to me, I will do everything in the world I can to make her happy. I’m not worthy of her now, but I’d work every day to be better. To be the man she deserves.”
