“Yes, he is.”
Disappointment washed through her at Tibby’s easy agreement, making her realize how much she hoped her friend had seen something more in the way Winston looked at her. How silly.
“However,” Tibby began, sending Millie’s heart thundering, “his expression when he looked at you...” Tibby’s words drifted away as she stared across the shop.
What? Millie wanted to demand. What had she seen?
“It spoke of more,” Tibby finished softly as she looked at Millie once again.
“M-more?” Millie cleared her throat, hoping the squeak in her voice didn’t reveal anything.
“Absolutely. You see, I have witnessed many of our league members fall in love and have become quite adept at recognizing the signs.”
Millie scoffed, hope dashed. Nothing her friend could say would convince her that Winston was in love with her. She might as well tell her the sun rose at night.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” a shop assistant greeted them. “How may we be of assistance?”
Millie breathed a sigh of relief that the subject of Winston was over. Though tempted to confess her feelings, she also knew Tibby would encourage her, and Millie wasn’t prepared to act, nor did she think she ever would be, when it was pointless.
Tibby explained what she needed, and after narrowing down the styles and fabric with Millie’s assistance, she made her selections. The dressmaker had Tibby’s measurements on file, although the waist would be left loose to allow room for the baby, so their mission was soon complete.
Millie held the door for her friend, and they stepped into the afternoon sunlight. “I think you chose wisely,” Millie told her. “Those colors look wonderful on you.”
“Thank you.” Tibby grinned. “I do appreciate your help.” She looped her arm through Millie’s as they walked. “However, I would like to finish our earlier conversation.”
“Oh?” Millie hoped it wasn’t the one she thought it was.
“I do not mean to overstep the bounds of our friendship,” Tibby said as they weaved around other shoppers, “but I urge you to act.”
“I hardly think—” Millie began, nerves taking a firm hold when she realized what Tibby intended to say.
“Don’t think,” Tibby interrupted. “Act. A bold move with Linford is exactly what you need.”
“Tibby, I don’t know what you think you saw, but I know for certain that Winst—rather, Linford—doesn’t see me as anything more than a wallflower who happens to be friends with his sister.”
“Then we shall ask Eliza for advice.”
“No!” Millie drew to a halt, horrified by the idea.
Tibby smiled knowingly. “So you admit that you care for him.”
Frustrated by Tibby’s persistence, Millie could only groan. “I will admit that, yes. But I will not ask Eliza or even mention myunfortunate secrettendrefor her brother. It’s an embarrassment that I hope will soon pass.”
Tibby murmured an apology to an older lady who frowned at the way they blocked the pavement. After the woman moved around them, Tibby took Millie’s elbow and started walking again.
“Millie, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. I can easily see the two of you together. Your regard for him is sweet and something could come of it.”
Irritation at the situation bubbled forth. She simply had to make Tibby understand. “It could never be.Wecould never be. I am not...enough for the likes of a marquess, especially one like Linford.”
“How so?”
Exasperated by the conversation and her friend’s refusal to see the truth, Millie halted to gesture to herself from head to toe. “Nothing about me warrants a match with him. No title, a modest dowry, an ordinary appearance, and a dull personality.” She shook her head, the list disheartening no matter how many times she’d wished it otherwise. “Linford needs a wife who will capture his heartandhis mind. One who will quiet his restlessness and be a partner in his life to help him see his worth. He has such potential if he would only believe in it.”
Tibby’s brown eyes widened, and her mouth gaped. “Millie. Don’t you see? That you recognize those qualities makes you perfect for him.”
“Hardly.” Millie shook her head to dismiss the thought as she continued forward, forcing Tibby to join her. “Any person with eyes in their head could see it.”
“No, they couldn’t.”