left Milly taking tea, and went to call the carriage. He could have simply pulled the bell, but he needed the distance. Where was the man she had left him for? This thought kept churning inside him, along with the doubts that had begun to plague him after he had received those papers from her father.

Lord Lawrence’s words had played over and over inside Joseph’s head for weeks.

After speaking with Bailey, Joseph went to his room to collect his things. When he returned to his study, it was to find Milly gone.

“God’s blood!” Storming from the room, he found his carriage ready, and Bailey waiting outside his front door.

“Miss Higglesworth was most insistent she walk, my lord. In fact, she said an earl should not be carting about a governess.”

She was right, but as she was no governess, Joseph simply grunted, then got into his carriage. He leaned out the window as they reached the gate at the bottom of his driveway, and found her striding along with her little dog at her side. Rapping on the roof, he leapt out after the carriage stopped several feet up the road.

Joseph watched her eyes turn left and then right. When she saw no escape route, she squared her shoulders and faced him. Commendable, and yet it did nothing to ease his temper.

“I am not used to people, especially servants, disobeying my orders, Miss Higglesworth. Please get in the carriage.”

She didn’t retreat as he stalked toward her, only stopping when he could see the flush in her cheeks.

“I had no wish to put you to any trouble, Lord Ellsworth.”

“And yet I have told you I have an appointment with Lord Wimplestow, therefore it is no trouble.”

“So I must obey you?”

“It would be extremely foolish to walk when I am driving.”

“But you have already done so much for me.”

He looked down into the round face, padded with God knew what, and felt his conscience twitch.

“Perhaps I am one of the few good noblemen, Miss Higglesworth.”

“I’m sure there are more than just a few, my lord.”

“You are a tiresome woman.”

“It was not my intention to annoy you, my lord. However, as I see no way to win this argument, I shall yield.”

She then gave a short nod, and walked past him and into the carriage. He took a few seconds to look skyward, for no reason other than to calm his breathing, then followed, and soon they were on their way once more. Milly, as he now knew her, sat across from him, pressed into the corner, looking out the window. She was no longer Millicent. That name was reserved for the woman she had left behind in London.

The day was gray, and snow continued to swirl in the air. Darkness would fall early now, and Joseph had no problem with that. He was more than happy to be huddled beside his hearth with a brandy and book before it did. Where would Milly be as day turned to night? In the Wimplestow household, he knew, but doing what? When would her workday finish? What had she been forced to do in the last four years? What was her story?

Christ, these thoughts had to stop, they were like a never-ending carousel inside his head.

“Do the Wimplestow family know they are getting you and Mugwort?”

The little dog was sitting on her mistress’s lap, snoring blissfully as Milly stroked her spiky fur.

“As to that, my lord, I had not planned to... ah—”

“Add dognapping to your resume?”

“I shall find another home for her if the Wimplestow family do not want her in theirs,” she added, ignoring his accusation.

“I will take her,” Joseph said, before he could stop himself.

Her smile was so bright he nearly blinked, and suddenly there was the woman he had once known. Millicent Lawrence. A young, carefree girl he’d wanted desperately to be his wife.

“I-I’m not sure why you are helping me, Lord Ellsworth, but that is an offer I would be foolish to refuse.”

How could she believe that some padding and a pair of glasses would stop him from recognizing her?

“I have the room.” He dismissed her words. “It will not inconvenience me. The servants can care for her.”

She nodded, and then returned her eyes to the window, leaving Joseph alone with his thoughts, none of which were pleasing.

The village of Spindle lay thirty minutes from Stonleigh, and to Joseph’s mind was not as pretty. The main road was flanked by shops, and unlike Stonleigh, the entrance was not lined with tall, established trees, and a river did not flow along its edge. The Ellsworth carriage drove through the center and continued on for a further ten minutes.

“Do we have far to go, Lord Ellsworth?”

“We are no more than two minutes at the most.”

“Is the driveway signposted?”

Joseph nodded, wondering where she was going with this.

“Then I would ask you to stop the carriage here, please.” Milly rapped on the roof before he could stop her. “I have no wish to arrive with you and be faced with a barrage of questions I cannot answer.”

“Milly—”

She had the door open before he could stop her, and stepped down with Daisy and her bag before he could utter another word. Joseph then heard her direct his driver to continue on. Looking out the window, he saw her marching along with the ugly little dog at her side. Gnashing his teeth, he vowed not to let her best him again. The woman had certainly changed in the last four years from the gentle creature he had vowed to wed.

Why the hell she thought she could carry off her charade, he could not fathom. She was the least subservient servant he’d ever met. Which was strange, as the woman he had known had been exactly that.

When the carriage stopped minutes later, Joseph was no closer to answering this question, so he put it to one side for now with the others. Opening the door, he stepped down into a courtyard filled with squawking chickens, honking geese, and their excrement. Weeds had forced their way through the cobbles, and were also strangling any plants that had the misfortune to be in the gardens.

The house was large and rambling toward the east and west, in cream stone. Like its owner, it was a hodgepodge of mismatched shapes and heights. He’d been here often. The Spindle hunt started from here, after all, and while he liked Lord Wimplestow, he’d questioned his hygiene on more than one occasion.

“I thought that was your carriage, my lord!”

Joseph watched the rolling form of Baron Cedric Wimplestow lumber toward him from the direction of the stables. The man was large in every way, right down to his personality. He wore baggy breeches that wrinkled at the knees and curved outward midthigh. His jacket was faded green, necktie and shirt a grubby gray, and on his head he wore a woolen cap pulled low. A few of the longer hairs in his eyebrows curled upward into the wool. Had he not known the man’s intelligence, he would think him quite mad.

“I told my Angus just this morn, I would take the horse to you, but it seems you cannot wait.”

No one bred horses like Cedric Wimplestow. Joseph shook the man’s hand and looked around him to check on Milly’s location; as yet she had not made an appearance.

“Indeed, I am looking forward to seeing him.”

“You’ll stay to take our midmorning meal.”

“Ah... midmorning meal?” Joseph said, wondering how the hell he could get out of it. He had only been in one parlor inside the Wimplestow house, and the main dining hall, and the memory remained etched inside his head

Joseph did not believe his standards exacting, but eating with the Wimplestow family was enough to put him off his food—not an easy task, it had to be noted.

“It’s the one before lunch, Lord Ellsworth, and of vital importance. It keeps the body and soul together before we sit down at midday.”

As the man didn’t appear to be joking, Joseph merely nodded, and looked once again to the driveway.

“It seems you are about to have more company, Wimplestow.”

The man’s bushy red brows lowered as he stared at Milly, who had just arrived.

“Good day to you!” he bellowed, making several chickens milling at their feet squawk and scatter.

Milly hurried closer, her large bag bumping against her legs, and Mugwort on her heels. He dug his toes into his boots to stop from going to meet her and taking the bag. She looked small and vulnerable, and he did not like the feeling that created inside him.

“My name is Miss Higglesworth. I am here early, to take up the position of governess to your daughter.” She sank into an elegant curtsy.

“Are you indeed. Well, I can’t say I’m not pleased to see you. The ball is only four weeks away.”

The annual Stonleigh ball was held every year at Skelton Manor. Joseph and his family always attended.

“If you will excuse me, I shall make my way—”

“Is this your dog?”

Milly stopped at Wimplestow’s words.

“Yes, she has been with me since a pup, and I am very fond of her.”

Joseph raised a brow at Milly’s distorted version of the truth, but she did not meet his eye.

“Well, as you can see, we like animals, so I see no problem with the little animal staying, if she can hold her own among ours.” Lord Wimplestow laughed after he had spoken, as if his words were a wonderful jest. “We shall eat now, and then I will show you the horse, Ellsworth. You too, Miss Higglesworth.”

“I have—” Joseph said.

“Oh, but—” Milly said

“I won’t take no for an answer. You’ll both be our guests!” Wimplestow bellowed. “Perfect time for you to meet the family, Miss Higglesworth. We do not stand on ceremony here.”

Resigned, Joseph wrapped his fingers around Milly’s arm. “Come along, Miss Higglesworth, I shall escort you.”

The baron had disappeared inside the house, leaving Milly and Joseph to follow.

“I cannot sit down with the family!” Milly stated, horrified. “It would be improper to do so.”

“And yet you will, as the master of the household has stated he wishes it.”

She tried to shake his hand free, but Joseph held on.

“Oh dear, I do believe someone has let the cows out.”

“Highly unlikely, and don’t say I didn’t try and warn you.” Joseph took her elbow and led her to the steps. “The Wimplestow family is unusual,” he added.

“Good Lord, is that a piglet?”

“Two of them, I think.” Joseph could see two heads wallowing in a puddle of mud. “Come along.” He moved her forward when she stopped. “Watch where you walk, one never knows what is underfoot.”

“The noise... ah, it is quite something, Lord Ellsworth.”

What it was, was a cacophony of animal sounds all blending to create bedlam on the eardrums.

“I tried to warn you,” he said again.

Milly’s eyes were shooting everywhere, and the arm beneath his fingers had gone rigid.

“It’s... ah, charming,” she managed.

“No it’s not.”

Joseph didn’t think himself a snob. Yes, he was an earl, and yes he lived a pampered lifestyle, but that wasn’t to say he didn’t walk his land, spend time with his horses, and visit his stock. He’d waded into rivers to rescue animals and unblock waterways when no one else was there, but he could say with a certainty that the Wimplestow clan could turn his stomach with very little effort on their part. They were loud, boisterous, and appeared for the most to be mannerless.

“My lord, what an honor to see you here at Wimplestow House.”

They had arrived inside the house.

Joseph had met the Wimplestows’ butler, because he often doubled as their driver, which while odd, was not when you related it to the family he served.

Big, solid, with not a hair on his head, he looked more like a bare-knuckle fighter than a butler, and just added to the air of odd that encompassed this household.

“Good morning. This is Miss Higglesworth,” Joseph said, as the baron appeared to have vanished. “She is the new governess to Miss Wimplestow.”

The butler’s face creased in a wide smile, which swallowed up his eyes. “It’s wonderful to have you here, Miss Higglesworth. Please, both of you, follow me.”

“Should I not go to my room?”

“You’re not going anywhere.” Joseph grabbed her elbow. “If I have to suffer through this, then so must you.”

“Suffer through what?” she hissed. “And I’m sure it’s highly improper for you to be dragging me about this way.”

“Quite possibly, but I’ve always found in this household, there is safety in numbers.”

“My lord, I should not be seen in your company. I am a governess, and as such I need to spend time with the servants and—”

“Yes, yes, the servant thing again,” Joseph said, ignoring Milly’s attempts to get away. He continued walking. Loud voices greeted them as they approached the dining room, and Milly turned a questioning look at the butler.

“Do the Wimpletstows have company?”

The servant shook his head and moved to open the doors, and Joseph felt unease permeate the pit of his stomach, but placed a determined smile on his face as he entered the room.

“I’ll take your dog, Miss Higglesworth.”

Joseph took the lead from Milly, as she seemed incapable, and handed Mugwort to the butler.

“Lord Ellsworth!” the butler bellowed in strenuous tones. “And Miss Higglesworth.”

Silence descended as all eyes swung toward Joseph and Milly. Joseph could see that Lord Wimplestow had made haste to tell his family of their arrival. Every one of them was on the move, stuffing things behind furniture, or tidying themselves.

“Come, come, both of you. Take seats!” Lord Wimplestow boomed. “You are in the country now, and as you see our manners are easy.” Lord Wimplestow waved Joseph and Milly to chairs, as the rest of his family scrambled to do the same.

“I will take a cup of tea with the staff.” Milly attempted to back away from Joseph, but his hand held her in place.

“No indeed, we do not stand on ceremony here, Miss Higglesworth,” Lord Wimplestow said. “Come, sit. We will share your first meal at Wimplestow House together.”

Joseph swallowed his smile at the small noise Milly made as she took in the scene before her. It was a mild shriek.

 

   Milly’s position as governess meant she should not be sitting down with the earl and the Wimplestow family, but was unsure how to stop that from happening, as Lord Ellsworth and the baron seemed intent that she do so. She perched on the edge of the seat she had been waved to, and tried not to shudder at what lay around her.

The house was a mess. Papers, clothes, and items everywhere. There was a pair of muddied boots resting by the fireside, and a set of dirty prints leading to it. She was not one to comment; after all, people had the right to live as they chose... but really, this was beyond anything she had seen before.

“My lord, I know you have met all my family, but I shall make the introductions for Miss Higglesworth. To your left is my Fanny, the prettiest filly I ever saw. Bore this brood and still looks as sprightly as she did that day twenty years ago when I found her knee-deep in her father’s sty.”

Milly coughed to hide her surprise as she turned to face the lady of the house. Tight gray curls surrounded what could only in half-light be called a homely face, with large round eyes of undetermined color. Milly nodded, as she was seated, rather than curtsy, as surely she should to this woman.

“I shall have to watch you, my lord; most men find my Fanny irresistible.”

Loud guffaws greeted these words, and not, as Milly had instantly expected, from the baron; no, they were from his filly.

“Indeed, there is little doubting her... her....” Lord Ellsworth seemed momentarily lost for words, but managed to rally. “Ah... charms,” he added lamely. This however seemed to please Lord Wimplestow, who now accompanied his wife in a symphony of off-key guffaws.

“And this fine young heifer, Miss Higglesworth, is my Angus, named after my favorite breed of cattle, you understand.”

Milly felt the swell of hysterical laughter rise in her chest as she studied the eldest Wimplestow child. The eager gaze of Angus Wimplestow looked wide-eyed back at her. Round apple cheeks sat in a round pink face, and a thatch of sandy hair stood out in every direction, with not an ounce of curl in sight. Indeed, a large, healthy, ah... a specimen, she thought, for want of a better word, as she studied the dinner-plate-sized hands with grubby fingernails clasped around a glass of ale.

“Ah, yes indeed,” she managed. “A fine-looking young gentleman, Lord Wimplestow. You must be very proud.”

“And this,” the baron said, pointing to another of his progeny, “is my eldest girl, Apple-blossom, your charge. You’ll not be believing how we came up with that name, I’m betting, Lord Ellsworth?”

Looking at the tall girl with masses of unruly red curls and freckles, Milly wondered how she was to get her ready to be presented next season. She sat slouched in her chair, shoulders hunched, eating a cream cake. Her mouth was so full, it was a wonder she did not choke. She did have lovely skin, however, and bright blue eyes. There was potential, but it would certainly take work. A great deal of work, she thought, watching a dollop of cream roll down the girl’s chin and onto her bodice.

“Indeed, I cannot.” The earl spoke calmly, and Milly shot him a quick look. He turned briefly and caught her eye, and the words that would accompany that look would have been I did try to warn you. Needing to ease the dryness in her throat, Milly took a sip of the tea that had just been placed before her.

She could not comprehend that she was sitting in this room, with Joseph, and he did not know her identity. Her disguise, it seemed, worked better than even she had realized.

“Copulation, my lord.”

Milly spluttered, then coughed, all the while struggling valiantly not to spray tea everywhere and spit out her cheek rolls.

“I... I... ah, beg your pardon?”

Milly noted the earl did not sound quite so calm now. One large hand was fisted on his thigh, and his body was suddenly tense.

“When my Apple-blossom was born, my lord, I was out counting my stock. Upon my return, I noticed four out of five of our apple trees were in flower, and it was then the name came to me, and of course my Fanny agreed.”

“Computation, Papa. For heaven’s sake, must you always get it wrong,” said an exasperated voice from the end of the large table.

Laughter once again boomed; this time, all the Wimplestows joined in the jocularity.

“And the youngest member of my family is our little Rose, named for no other reason than that she is as sweet as her namesake,” Lord Wimplestow said, bestowing a benevolent look upon his youngest daughter.

Relieved that she was to be spared a tale regarding the carnal pleasures the baron and his wife undertook to conceive Apple-blossom, Milly felt her pulse calm, and she offered the little girl a smile. With her sister’s coloring, the youngest Wimplestow could have been born into no other family.

“You’ll have an easy job of it, Miss Higglesworth,” Lord Wimplestow added. “My Apple-blossom will be the belle of any event she attends, and already has a brace of beaus hanging on her every word.”

Milly could feel the earl’s eyes on the side of her face, but not by the flicker of an eyelash did she betray her thoughts.

“Yes indeed, she will surely be the belle of any ball.”

“Well then, let’s eat, before venturing out to see that horse,” the baron added, and there followed the most horrific display of manners Milly had ever seen.

The Wimplestows ate with relish off their own plates and each other’s, and the filly made no move to remove the piece of food wedged in the gap between her teeth that constantly drew Milly’s eyes. She turned again, and caught the earl’s eye; he gave her a wink, and she battled the need to beg him to take her with him back to Greyton. Of course, she could not, as it was best he never see her again. Even if he did not recognize her now, he may do so one day.

“Will you attend the Stonleigh ball, Lord Ellsworth?”

Apple-blossom asked the question, and followed it up with a look that Milly thought was meant to be coy. Good God, the girl surely did not think Lord Ellsworth a suitable prospect for her future spouse? Milly did not enjoy the spike of jealousy she suddenly felt, as she had no claim to this man anymore.

“I will, but if you will excuse me, I must cut this delightful interlude short, and beg your father to show me the horse, as I must be on my way. My family will be arriving anytime now.”

Milly rose with the earl, who had obviously also seen the look in Apple-blossom’s eyes.

“I will have one of the staff show you to your room, Miss Higglesworth,” the filly said with a smile that softened her features, but did not remove the piece of food. “Then we shall meet to discuss matters.”

“Thank you,” Milly said.

“I’ll show her, Mama,” Rose Wimplestow said.

Milly acknowledged everyone in the room, and lastly the earl, although she did not meet his eyes, as she was now battling an unreasonable bout of panic that this would be their last encounter. She had once loved this man with painful intensity. He was her past, and the memories associated with him were of happier times. Even if, upon a great deal of reflection, they were those of a young, naïve fool.

“Good day to you, my lord.”

“Good day, Miss Higglesworth.” His eyes held hers for precious seconds, and then Milly curtsied and left the room.

“Shall I call you Miss Rose?”

“Just Rose,” the little girl said, heading for a set of stairs with Milly on her heels.

Her room was surprisingly big, and had a large, comfortable bed, drawers, a chair, and a desk. It overlooked the rear of the house, where there were plenty of outbuildings and yet more animals.

“There is a parlor at the end of the hall. That is where Mama and Apple-blossom will meet you shortly.”

“Thank you, Rose.”

The little girl stood inside the doorway, watching Milly as she opened her bag. A lot smaller than her siblings, she had a sweet, open face.

“Do you play the piano, Miss Higglesworth?”

“I do, yes.”

“I do too, but wish to improve. Will you teach me while you are here?”

“Of course, if your mother wishes me too.”

The little girl seemed happy with that reply.

“I have brought a small dog named Daisy with me—”

“Really?” Rose smiled. “Where is she?”

“The butler took her. I was wondering if—”

“I shall find her for you at once.” Before she could draw another breath, Rose had left the room at a run.

Milly put away her things, pulled back the covers to check the sheets, and was relieved that they were clean. She then dusted the furniture with a handkerchief. After tidying her appearance, she went to the parlor at the end of the hall. This was to be her life now, here with the Wimplestow family; she would think of the tall, handsome earl no more.