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CHAPTERTWELVE
Rangeley watchedMillie as she attempted to trap her mother into conversation. He had to give the marchioness credit.
She was excellent at working a room. Not one person managed to commandeer her attention for very long.
Even from across the room, Millie’s frustration was evident. He wanted to go over to her and offer her some comfort. Hold her in his arms.
But he knew she needed to do this on her own.
“How’s it going?” Tillie asked from his right.
“I don’t think well,” he answered, watching as Millie fluttered just behind her mother and Lady Greenburg.
The marchioness had also told nearly every guest that a major announcement was sure to happen tonight and the energy in the room ratcheted up with each passing minute.
“She’d better talk to mother soon,” Tillie whispered. “We’ll end up married just by my mother’s will alone.”
That made Parker shift. He liked Tillie a great deal and though he’d never had a sister, he imagined that this was how one felt about a sibling.
He’d like very much to be family with Tillie but not as her husband.
Ben, once he’d heard the facts, and Parker’s assurance that Millie’s dowry would be kept in Millie’s name for her future use should she ever need it, had supported Parker’s suit. That was, provided Millie wanted him.
And she did. He thought. But did she want him enough to stand up to her mother? Of that, he wasn’t so sure.
He hoped so.
She was so lovely, kind, caring, but her attempts at assertion had yet to go to plan.
The marchioness spotted Parker and Tillie and beamed at them with a wave.
“Oh dear,” Tillie said on a whoosh of breath. “I’d best go back to hiding with Juliet.”
He looked over at the woman who he had come here to woo. “Still planning on starting a research facility?”
Her shoulder rose and fell. “I don’t know yet. Juliet is like my sister, but somewhere, I’ve been wondering if I adopted her dream to avoid a future I didn’t wish for.”
He laughed a bit, not taking her comment personally. They weren’t meant for each other in that way. He could see that now.
She darted off again, joining Juliet in a dark corner as Parker crossed the room, to join Millie.
“Thank goodness you’ve come to give me a repose,” she cried as he reached her side. “I’m having a terrible time catching my mother’s ear.”
“I could see you were struggling with your mother,” he sympathized, wishing he could wrap her in his arms.
“I know,” she huffed. “I’ve been trying all day. She’s as slippery as an eel.”
He subtly reached for her hand. “Come with me for just a moment.”
“Where are we going?”
“Just outside,” he answered, tucking her hand into his arm. “The doors are open, the breeze is delicious, and the night air might clear your head. You’ll never be successful as you become more flustered.”
They stepped out onto the terrace, the night air carrying the sweet scent of the rose garden beyond.
He drew in a deep breath. “See. Isn’t this better?”
“Oh yes,” she answered with a sigh. “I needed this.”
