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“Millicent!” Her mother’s hands came to her hips. “I’ve been planning this for years. Do not undo all my careful work with a bit of infatuation.”
Millie shook her head. Had her mother really just said that? “No.” she repeated again, simply because it felt so good to finally say.
Lady Greenburg joined her mother in the doorway, her shrewd gaze sweeping over them. “What’s wrong, Margaret?”
“What’s wrong?” her mother spluttered. “Everything is wrong.”
“Nothing is wrong,” Millie added. “Well. Tillie’s future must be secured. That is still a problem to be solved, I can’t deny that, but in terms of my match with Lord Rangeley, everything is exactly right.”
Lady Greenburg clapped, a gesture that surprised Millie. Parker stiffened against her as well. “I knew it.”
“What did you know?” Her mother asked her brow furrowing.
“I knew that Lord Rangeley and Millicent would be well suited.”
“What?” everyone cried at once, including Millie.
Lady Greenburg winked at her. “The forbidden fruit is always the most fun to try.”
Millie felt a wave of weakness roll over her. “My lady. Forgive me but I’ve been so worried.”
Lady Greenburg waved her hand. “Nonsense. Everyone can see that your sister and Lord Rangeley are not suited. They are both striving for greatness and that rarely pairs well. But you and Lord Rangeley…”
Today, she didn’t even care that Tillie was the one who strived while she was just Millie. Because, in this moment, being Millie was really wonderful.
“But my Tillie,” her mother cried. “She was going to be a countess. And Millie…”
“Don’t say I could be a duchess,” Millie cut in. “I’m quite happy right where I am.”
Parker squeezed her tighter. “So am I.”
She gave him a glowing smile.
But her mother wasn’t finished. “He did not receive permission to request your hand.”
“Yes he did,” her brother called from behind her mother. “Now, if you don’t mind, I am famished and dinner has been called.”
“But…” her mother cried, her chest puffing out. “I have worked so hard—”
“Mother,” Millie responded on a long breath of air. “I know you have but what you’ve planned for me and for Tillie, well, it doesn’t take into account what we want for ourselves. We are your daughters after all. We don’t lack for opinion.”
Parker laughed softly against her side before he turned them back toward the doors. “Besides,” he chimed in. “You’ve promised everyone a grand announcement. I say we give it to them.”
Her mother’s mouth hardened before her shoulders finally sagged. “Defeated by my own children.”
“Don’t worry,” Lady Greenburg said with a pat to her mother’s hand. “I’ve got the perfect plan for Tillie. I’ll tell you over tea tomorrow.”
Millie’s eyes went wide.
A plan for Tillie? Her sister was certain to hate whatever the two matriarchs managed to concoct.
Oh dear.
“We’re going to have to help her,” Parker whispered close to her ear. “We owe her so much. It’s the least we can do.”
Millie held his arm tighter as she murmured her agreement. She’d secured her own future and now it was time to care for Tillie.
But as they entered the sitting room again, Lady Greenburg leaned over and whispered, “Don’t you worry. I am an excellent matchmaker. In fact, I’m two for two.”
Millie raised her brows. She’d not argue the point, she had an engagement to announce.
