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Chapter 16
For the next few days, Rhys spent every morning bringing Millicent to listen to Lady Isabel read at the bookshop. It was quite ironic that they had to leave the house to spend time with the marchioness they shared a roof with.
After the reading hour, Rhys taught Lady Isabel to control Button, or at least he tried. She was completely hopeless.
The dog refused to listen to her commands, and every time he ran toward her, Lady Isabel just hid behind Vane and refused to face the dog.
The sight was hilarious because Button obviously loved his new mistress and wanted to play with her and embrace her every chance he got.
Playing outside with his dog and his wife, Rhys suddenly felt young and unburdened. And the old yearning scraped at his heart, a yearning for a real family, a loving wife…
He had to shake himself from that feeling. As long as Lady Isabel proved to be a proper mistress and a good mother to Millie, that would have to be enough.
One morning, he and Millie were sitting at the breakfast table when Lady Isabel glided into the room. She smiled brightly then twirled in place. Her skirts swooshed, the wisps of her hair flapping as she halted and looked from Vane to Millicent expectantly. “Well?”
Vane furrowed his brows. “Is that a new gown?”
Lady Isabel raised a brow.
“Her limp is gone, Papa,” Millicent noted.
“You are correct. And that means that we can assume a more laborious activity before reading.” She sat gracefully behind the table and turned to Millie. “What do you say we all take a ride around the estate?”
Millie visibly perked up. “Can we, Papa?”
“There’s work that needs to be done,” he argued.
“Surely you can take a day off to spend with your family?” his wife insisted.
Family. Something squeezed in the region of his heart. Could they one day become a real family? He wanted nothing more.
“Why not?”
“Yes!” Millie jumped up from her seat.
“Did you finish your meal?” Rhys pointedly nudged his head toward her plate.
“I am not hungry, and I need to get ready for riding!” she exclaimed, hopping in place.
Rhys let out a sigh. He popped the piece of toast into his mouth, washed it down with coffee, and stood. “Come, then. You need to change into your riding habit.”
“Will I ride with you? Or my pony?” Millie asked as she skipped in excitement.
“Hmm… which one do you prefer?”
“Pony!” Sparks of joy were dancing in Millie’s eyes.
“Very well.” He turned toward his wife. “We’ll meet you in the hall,” he called and walked away.
Vane escorted his daughter to her nursery and headed toward his own bedchamber to change into his riding clothes. But before he reached his room, the footman stopped him on the stairs.
“A note for you, master!”
“Thank you.” Rhys took the envelope into his hand.
“The messenger said it’s quite urgent and that you open it immediately.”
Rhys nodded. “Very well, thank you.”
