Ah,the expression Neville had worn when he’d quoted the poem to her the prior night. Perhaps the music would calm her, make her feel closer to Neville while he was away.
She began to play.
Memory and melody filled her mind, briefly chasing away her worries. For a few minutes, she existed in a place where tone, feeling, and creative expression combined, transforming her anxiety to poignancy. But when the song ended, so did her reprieve.
“That was lovely,” Cassie spoke from the doorway. “Do go on to the next in the collection, dearest. I haven’t heard you play in a long time.”
Millie hadn’t played since they’d all left Willowhurst. She wouldn’t have played now, if not for the need to drown her wayward imaginings.
She cast a bleak gaze over her shoulder.
Cassie rested her back against the jamb, and her pensive expression shifted into one of concern. “Your mood has taken a turn since breakfast.”
“I know. I have the oddest sense of…. I don’t know.” Millie dropped her shoulders. “Shouldn’t Neville have been back by now?”
Cassie opened her mouth to reply but stopped. Then, she tilted her head as if listening. Then, Millie heard the sound, too—a noise emanating from the back of the house.
Someonehad just come in.
“Perhaps he has just returned.” Cassie leaned back so she could see down the corridor. “And here’s Aunt Jane.” Sheglanced back and met Millie’s gaze. She lowered her voice. “Nevillemusthave brought her back with him, don’t you think?”
Surely, he had.
Which meant he was likely taking care of the carriages, now. Millie exhaled. Soon, he would appear in the doorway and then stride to her side. She would catch her breath, admire his broad shoulders, and then, the comfort she felt in his presence would return.
Neville alone could banish her panic.
“Duchess.” Lady Neville greeted Cassie with a kiss. “And my lovely new daughter-in-law.” She squeezed Millie’s hands.
“Lady Neville!” Millie forced a smile. “Were you able to see Lady Eltenham this morning?”
“I went over to the Eltenham townhouse, but, unfortunately, Lucinda was not home to me. I did insist on speaking with Lord Eltenham, however. And you may be sure I gave him a piece of my mind.”
“Really?” Cassie marveled. “He’s so very fierce!”
Lady Neville scoffed. “I’ve known Eltenham since long before he reached his majority. Men you remember in short pants are far less intimidating.”
Perhaps. But that didn’t mean they were less dangerous! “What did you say to him?”
“I told him every nefarious scheme his son Willard has instigated.”
“Every?” Millie’s throat dried.
“Every,” Lady Neville confirmed. “From the attempt to frame my poor John, to the worrisome indications he’s abducted other girls, to his behavior toward you, child.”
“Well, that was certainly brave,” Cassie commented.
Brave.Yes.And possibly unwise.
Neville had wanted to collect evidencebeforeinvolving Lord Eltenham. They didn’t yet know who else besides Willard might be involved.
Lady Neville waved a raised finger in the air as if she were scolding Eltenham in the present. “Just as I suspected, what affected Eltenham most wasn’t Willard’s actual crimes, but his public behavior. How he hadn’t heard by now, I do not know. I can only assume that, when Willard is out of town, he ceases to be of concern to his father.”
“Did Eltenham give any indication where Willard might have gone?” Millie asked.
“No,” Lady Neville replied. “But the porter told me Willard spends a great deal of time at a lodge down near Brighton and was assumed to be there.”
“Lady Eltenham’s brother’s lodge.”