AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 22
Rhys entered Millicent’s room early in the morning. He couldn’t leave without seeing her and talking with her. She was still sleeping, but as Rhys sat by her bed, she stirred and rubbed her eyes.
She blinked, her lashes fluttering. “Papa,” she whispered, her voice slightly rough from sleep.
“Good morning, darling. Did you sleep well?”
She nodded and stretched in bed. “Are we going to the fields today?”
Rhys caressed her warm, red cheek. “Not today, moppet. I am leaving for Thornsby today.”
Millicent puffed out her lips. “Without me?”
“Without you. But I have a lot of work to do, so I can’t take you with me. Besides, you need to keep up with your studies.”
“I don’t like my studies,” Millie grumbled. “And I don’t like Mrs. Pemberley. When I grow up, I will make it so girls won’t need governesses.”
Rhys heaved a long-suffering sigh. “Someday, you’ll change the world, my little girl. You’ll be a force to be reckoned with. But until then, you need to know things. Because knowledge is your biggest weapon.”
Millie seemed to contemplate his words. “Why can’t I learn from Lady Isabel instead of Mrs. Pemberley? I like Lady Isabel better.”
Rhys smiled, his heart warming. “I am glad you like her, moppet. But remember, you disliked her, too, at first? Perhaps you can give Mrs. Pemberley a chance.”
Millie furrowed her little brows. “When will you come back?”
Rhys swept the hair out of Millie’s face and kissed her forehead. “As soon as I can. I would never leave you for longer than I have to.”
* * *
Days without Rhys were somehow empty. Isabel had not spent much time with him during the day when he was at the estate, but she found herself thinking of him constantly now that he was gone.
The nights were the worst.
She’d gotten used to having him in her bed as she fell asleep. She missed their conversations every night before bed. She missed his teasing smile and his ferocious frown. She missed staring at his broad shoulders outlined by the moonlight.
Quite simply, she missed him.
Isabel didn’t know how she’d grown so attached to her husband and when that had started happening. She only knew that now that he was far away, she wanted him by her side.
It was quite a strange feeling, missing one’s husband. She had not imagined it would ever happen. Yet, here she was. He’d been away for less than seventy-two hours, and already there was a gaping hole in her heart.
To cover up the ache somehow, Isabel decided to spring Millicent from her studies and take her on an unscheduled walk. She dressed in her beautiful day gown and ascended the steps. They could pick some more flowers for the house or perhaps even go for a ride. Millicent’s pony sure missed the exercise!
“What are you doing, you useless child?” Mrs. Pemberley’s harsh voice sounded in the corridor.
Isabel’s mouth gaped open. Was the governess chastising Millicent so rudely? She crept toward the door, not willing to believe her own ears and needing to see what was going on for herself.
“Turn around!” Another harsh command sounded from behind the closed door.
“One!” A crack sounded in the air and then whimpers.
“Two more! Stand still!”
Isabel rushed toward the room and threw the door open.
The picture before her turned her mute with horror.
Millicent was bent over her desk, her tiny bottom hanging in the air. Her dress was raised up to her back, and red marks lined her skin. Mrs. Pemberley stood over her, a cane raised above her head.
