did not ride in the park the following morning, or the two after that. She did not take morning callers, nor did she leave the house. In fact, she was tempted to get into her carriage and leave London, and would have, were it not for her aunt.

“We are going to Lord and Lady Shubert’s garden party today, Millicent, and do not try any of your excuses on me. We are going. I have quite made up my mind.”

They were taking breakfast in the pretty little lemon parlor, which was another favorite of Milly’s. She loved the dainty roses on the curtains, and the way the sun streamed through the windows early in the morning. There was not much she did not like about this house, possibly because it belonged to her alone.

“Oh, Aunt, must we?” Milly sighed. “They are usually such extravagant affairs, and Lady Shubert will coo and gush over me, simply because I have added some spice to her party.”

“Millicent Lawrence!”

Milly looked at her aunt. She was not happy; in fact, when her lips drew into a line like that, it meant she was furious.

“You are not now, nor have you ever been, some freak in a carnival!”

“Aunt!”

“You are a Marquess’s daughter, and you need to act like one. These people are your equals. So enough of your moping and sulks. We are going, and I will hear no more on the matter.”

“Must I?”

“I have allowed you to stay inside for days, receiving no visitors, but enough is enough!”

“Very well, if I must. But I refuse to stay all day.”

“Excellent, we will leave when we are both ready. I have had your maid lay out the pale blue silk.”

“But that is very... very….” Milly searched for the right word.

“Revealing? Figure hugging? Yes, to both, and as yours is a particularly lovely figure, you shall wear it.”

“Do not set your heart on me finding a husband, Aunt, it will not happen,” Milly said, disliking the look in her eyes.

“I know what you have said, but I can still hope, especially as Lord Ellsworth is still single.”

“There is nothing between us, nor will there ever be. In fact, I have heard his name connected to another,” Milly said, disliking the fact that her heart beat a little faster at the mention of Joseph’s name.

“I have not heard anything,” her aunt declared. “Remember, he is an ally, Milly. He has not said a word against you in my company, nor has he shunned you, when he very well could have. Perhaps you could be nicer to him.”

“I am nice.”

Her aunt made a humming sound but said nothing further.

Why she was upset over his engagement, she did not know. After all, he was nothing to her. What had happened between them on the carriage journey here was forgotten. A lapse in judgment from both of them.

 

“Lord, will you look at poor Lady Shubert’s butler. He has on a leather vest and Viking helmet. Surely a man of his age and position should not be forced into such a costume.”

Joseph followed his brother-in-law’s gaze to where the man stood. He did look uncomfortable.

“Do you remember that year they were Grecian themed? Miss Tuttle fainted at the sight of the footman’s bronzed chest.”

“Yes, but it was a very deliberate faint, into his arms,” Charles said.

“Why do we come?” Joseph asked.

“It’s like a carriage accident, you have to look.”

“Charming.”

“God’s blood, Jacinta Greenway has half her bosom showing!” Charles said.

“That must be distressing for you, Charles. Shy, retiring soul that you are,” Louis drawled.

They were standing by the river, watching idiots punt up and down. Joseph was on edge for no other reason than Milly was not here yet, and he was not sure she would even come, as he hadn’t seen her for days. She had not gone riding in the mornings, nor to any events in the evenings. He was damned if he was paying a call at her house, like some lovelorn pup, but the hell of it was, he wanted to see her. What the hell did she mean by saying he was engaged! He’d been so stunned he had not denied it... which he did, vehemently.

“Rory is making it his mission to sample every plate of food. We shall have to roll him out of here,” Charles said.

The scene before Joseph and his family was a riot to the senses. Colorful tents were erected for those who wished to get out of the sun, of which there was not a great deal, but still, some women could not stand it on their complexions. There were tables heaving with food and drink. Servants dressed as Vikings wandered about with pained expressions on their faces, offering champagne. Archery targets were set up for the annual competition.

“I hope Lady Shubert pays her staff well. Those men that fetch arrows and adjust targets are taking their lives in their hands,” Louis said.

“Danger money, I believe it is called,” Charles added.

“Ridicule, danger, is there no end to what her staff must suffer.”

Joseph let his eyes wander the guests as Charles and Louis talked. Was she coming? As the thought entered his head, he saw her walking down the path with her aunt.

She wore pale blue, and he knew with her eyes, it would look extraordinary up close. The fabric was light, and fluttered about her slender legs as she walked. A band of dark blue embroidery scooped low over her breasts, and the bodice was fitted with small pleats. The skirts fluttered open and he saw a flash of rose satin.

“Four years have turned that woman from pretty to stunning.”

Louis said the words so Joseph alone could hear, but he did not reply, simply watched as she walked. She moved with effortless grace, as she always had, but now she was so much more. Everything about her was so much more. Her beauty, her strength and spirit. Joseph had realized last night, as he lay awake, that he wanted this woman very much. Wanted her in his life, at his side. The revelation had not been as startling as he’d thought. Perhaps she had always been in his heart and head, but now it was different. Now she made him uncomfortable. His skin prickled when she was near, his body ached, and he felt a savage need to possess her.

“I’m sure if I were standing between you and Lady Millicent, I would be singed by that look.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about, Louis.”

Her hair had been styled simply, and she wore several long curls free. She was delectable from the top of her head to the soles of her feet, and every lush inch in-between.

“She is beautiful, intelligent, and you have history between you. Yet, I think you care as much about that as your family does. If you still want her, my friend, go and get her.”

Dragging his eyes from Milly, he looked at Louis.

“She may have something to say about that.”

“Perhaps, but she once loved you very much, to the point of worship. I doubt that has ever really gone away, but perhaps now you could love her equally—given the chance.”

“Is there a reason for this deep and meaningful dialogue?”

Louis smiled, and looked over Joseph’s shoulder, and he knew that Ellie would be there. Louis always got that look when he saw her.

“Because life is too short not to be with the woman you love.”

“I never said I loved her.”

Louis smiled, then patted his shoulder and walked away. God, did he love her? Was love an ugly mass of seething emotion? Was it a need to see her, be with her? Was it a need to possess her?

“Christ.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing,” Joseph said.

“Just go and talk to her, and don’t be so... so earlish,” Charles said.

“I beg your pardon?” Joseph looked at his brother.

“Lady Millicent, to my mind, is vastly different from the woman we all knew. She now has a backbone, and is no longer shy and retiring. Don’t treat her as you once did, Joseph.”

“Earlish?” was all Joseph could come up with, his head reeling. First Louis and now Charles. When had he made his feelings for Milly so obvious?

“Officious then? Or we could go with pompous, or overbearing.”

“Yes thank you, Charles, I believe I get the idea.”

“Go after her, Joseph, if indeed she is the one you want.”

On these ominous words, his brother, the one who was usually frivolous with all the conversational depth of a thimble of wine, wandered away, leaving him alone and confused.

“Milly is a gem, Joseph,” Ellie said, reaching his side. “We may not be as close as we once were, but I am working on that, and fear what she went through those years she was absent from society has changed her. But with love and support, we will bring her about.”

“Not you too.” Joseph sighed as his sister slipped her arm through his.

“She is a wonderful woman, Joseph. Strong, intelligent, and that has merely been enhanced in the last few years. She has demons and fears that I would suggest will take time to heal, but then who does not.”

“What demons and fears do you have?” He looked at his pretty sister. She always seemed so happy and carefree.

She patted his arm. “We are not speaking of me.”

“But as your big brother, I feel duty bound to chase those demons away.”

“Louis has already done that, have no fear. And you, by just being near.”

“My mind is relieved.” Although he wondered what fears she had had.

“Now, come, we shall go and intercept Milly before her legions of admirers do.”

“Legions?” He tamped down the surge of jealousy. “Surely not. She has not been to any of the social events I have. What chance has she of collecting admirers?”

“They have seen her rarely, but then perhaps it is her elusiveness that they like. Perhaps she intrigues now?”

Joseph digested that piece of information as he let Ellie steer him toward Milly and her aunt. She saw them when they were a few feet away. He was right, the dress brought out the blue of her eyes. She was stunning. Before he could intercept her, another party reached her first. He and his sister joined them.

“La, Lady Millicent, how wonderful you look, considering your illness. Four years I understand it lasted, and yet you have recovered fully.”

“It was an illness of the mind, Miss Cuthbert. I was quite crazed for a while there, but as you see, I am almost completely healed.”

He knew the look she now wore; she was in no mood for polite chat or pleasantries. He had also heard this story at the theatre.

“S-sickness of the mind?” Miss Cuthbert retreated a step.

“Indeed, I was drooling for over two years. Then there was the screaming, followed by—”

“Well, I’m sure I hear my name being called. Excuse me, please.”

Miss Cuthbert hurried away, twittering with her group.

“Considering our king’s illness, dear, you could have come up with something more fitting, don’t you think?” Lady Mowbray’s lips were thinned.

“Possibly, but I care little about what those women think of me.”

“Lady Millicent, Lady Mowbray.” Joseph stepped closer, believing it a good time to intervene.

“My lord, how fortuitous it is to see you. I was just telling my niece that she should take the boat upriver to the gardens. The entrance via the water is far superior to land. Now is an excellent time for her to view them.”

By the mulish look on Milly’s face, Joseph could tell she had partaken in no such discussion, or indeed wanted to go anywhere with him. He didn’t care. Lady Mowbray had presented him with an opportunity, and he was taking it.

“I would be honored to take you to the gardens, Lady Millicent.”

“Oh no—”

Ellie interrupted. “Excellent. Come, Lady Mowbray, I wish to have my fortune told, and I hear Madame Estelle is the best.”

“Oh indeed, I shall join you, my lady. I think Lady Shubert has set the fortune teller up over there,” Lady Mowbray said, leading Ellie away.

“There is no need, my lord. Really, I have not the slightest wish to go boating, and am not sure why my aunt suggested I would.”

“But I wish it, so you shall accompany me.” Joseph took her hand and placed it on his arm. She did not mind stirring the waters with a few caustic or misleading comments, but Milly would not make a scene of cutting him, so soon they were walking down to the boats.

“I’m really not overfond of water.”

“You will not be getting in the water.”

A servant wearing a ridiculous costume held the boat for them. Joseph lowered Milly in, still protesting, and followed.

“Careful you don’t take someone’s eye out with that helmet,” he said as the man pushed them off. The servant muttered something they did not hear.

“I hope they are paid well,” Milly said. She was seated before him, and his eyes followed a long curl that fell below her shoulders to a row of buttons marching down her spine.

“My brothers and I were just discussing that.”

They were silent as he maneuvered them around several other boats and then headed toward the gardens. She tugged off her gloves, and trailed long, slender fingers in the water, each causing a small wake as the boat glided along.

“Is it catching, this madness you had?”

“Very, therefore I suggest you return me whence we came.”

He laughed. “Relax, Milly. You are safe out here on the water. No one will question you further.”

“Not even you?”

“I am exempt.”

She sighed. “I feared you would be.”

Joseph paddled three more strokes before speaking again. “I have been betrothed to no one but you.”

She lifted her face to look at the sky. “So many lies. The society I once loved so much is now a foreign battlefield of artifice.”

“You need not navigate it alone.”

“I am unsure if I wish to navigate it at all.”

“It has its uses, and not everyone is hiding behind a facade, Milly.”

“Forgive me for not realizing they were lying.”

“Who?”

“It matters not, and upon reflection the words were not actually mentioned, only alluded too. And indeed, who am I to care to whom you become engaged.”

“Who indeed,” Joseph said as he pulled the boat to the small platform, where another Viking stood. He held the boat as Joseph climbed out, then took Milly’s hand and helped her.

“Release me, my lord,” she said when he retained her hand.

“No.” Instead he slid her fingers through his.

He walked, and she had to follow, and soon he had taken them away from the formal gardens to a private section, as overhead the trees thickened and formed a canopy with only the occasional flicker of light.

“Where are you taking me?”

The small conservatory was nestled into a bank, and not many knew it was there. Charles did, and had told Joseph. Opening the door, he led Milly inside, then turned the key in the lock.

“Unlock that door at once!”

“Since that morning when I kissed you, touched you, felt you fall apart in my arms… I have thought of little else.”

“No, Joseph. How can you say that when—”

“You respond to me, Milly. Do not try to deny it... deny this.”

“Passion.” Her anger flared in her voice. “Passion is all we have.”

“No, there is more, but for now passion will do.”

She backed away as he stalked her.

“We cannot—”

“We can. I want you, and you want me. Can you deny it?” He reached for her. “Deny it and I will walk out that door.”

Yes. The word roared inside his head as he saw the passion he felt reflected in her eyes. Lowering his head, he kissed her.