“I’m not at home,” Winston replied, not bothering to turn around.
“Then my eyes must be deceiving me.” Trentworth’s words had Winston scowling as he turned to greet his brother-in-law.
“Have you forgotten how these things are done, Your Grace?” Winston demanded. “I am supposed to have the option of refusing you.”
“You haven’t surfaced for several days, so I came in search of you. I wanted to share how much Eliza liked the mare we selected.”
“Oh?” He nodded. “Good to hear.”
Trentworth frowned. “What has happened?”
“Nothing.” Winston retrieved his drink but didn’t offer one to his friend since he didn’t want him to stay. “I am enjoying a night at home.”
“We have been friends for over a decade. I think I know when something is wrong.”
“All is well.” He waved a hand in dismissal. Hadn’t he recently escaped the noose of marriage by the skin of his teeth? In truth, he should be celebrating.
“Does it have to do with your holdings?” Trentworth sank into a chair before Winston’s desk, clearly not going anywhere.
“No.” Though the last meeting with his steward suggested trouble was on the horizon. Winston still thought his idea about changing crops had been a good one, but what did he know? Clearly nothing.
“A certain member of the literary league who recently caught your eye?” A hint of a smile tilted Trentworth’s mouth.
Millicent had more than caught his eye. Even thinking her name was enough to make his heart ache. She was better off without him. However, he wasn’t prepared to share any of that with his friend. “No.”
“Are you lonely?” Trentworth’s eyes narrowed. “I know I haven’t been around much of late. I could join you at the club one evening if you’d like.”
“No need. Wouldn’t want Eliza harping at me for pulling you away.” He knew he was once again being contrary but couldn’t help himself.
“Linford.” Trentworth leaned forward and held his gaze. “You have many blessings in your life. Focus on those. And if you aren’t happy about something, change it.”
“Humph.”
“You have the power to do anything you choose. You need only reach for what you want. Make a decision for once.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Action can be challenging, but it is far better than stewing in misery.”
“Forgive me if I have my doubts.” Especially when Winston knew he’d more than likely choose wrong. His steward would confirm that.
Trentworth pushed to his feet with a shake of his head. “I will leave you to your foul mood. Send word when you’re ready to talk.”
With that, he strode from the room, leaving Winston to his thoughts. Those, along with his doubts, were the only companions he was fit to be around.
“Millie, how lovely of you to call.” Phoebe hugged her, then gestured to a chair in the drawing room.
“My pleasure.” Millie sat and glanced around, hoping the baby was sleeping. She didn’t think she could bear to see him, given her current inner turmoil. Not when holding him during her last visit had sent her into such a spiral of longing for a different life—one that had only led to heartache.
“Thomas is napping in the nursery,” Phoebe said as if reading her mind. “I can ring for the nanny to see if he’s awake if you’d like.”
“No need. I know how precious sleep is when it comes to babies,” Millie reassured her. “I only came by to return the bookI borrowed.” She pulled it from her reticule. “I enjoyed it for the third time. I should purchase my own copy.”
“I’m happy to share mine when you have the urge to read it again.” Phoebe fanned the pages. “Sense and Sensibilityis one of my favorites.”
“And mine.” The book confirmed that Millie was better off acting like sensible Elinor than carefree Marianne. “I like it almost as much asPride and Prejudice.”
“Agreed.” Phoebe looked up from the book to study Millie. “Is something amiss? Forgive me for asking, but you don’t seem yourself.”