By shoving her away. As if she were vile, clumsy, and stupid. As if tainted by her very touch… Tonight, however, everything she’d thought she’d understood had been turned on its head.
Neville cared. Even more, hewantedher.
And she wanted him, too.
But neither caring nor wanting could protect her from the life her mother had led.
A part of her knew Neville was nothing like her father had been. A part of her understood he was truly good. Butshewasn’t truly good. Nor would she ever be.
And wouldn’t such a man, a morally upright man, feel it his duty to direct her, mold her, make her conform to society’s standards? She feared—she very much feared—that when such a morally upright man kissed a woman, he would believe it a duty to offer for her hand.
She peeked over at Sarah, sitting by her side.
“Yes?” Sarah prompted.
“I do not wish to seem ungrateful…”
“Heavens, Millie! I need no mollification. Just ask me whatever you wish to ask.”
“Why did Neville say he had to go to search for Asquith?”
“Because, dear, and I will put this as gently as I can, we are in a family crisis, and the damage must be limited. For decisions to be made, all concerned parties must be present.”
In other words, for exactly the reason Millie most feared. Still, she clung to the hope she was wrong. “I understand the need for Asquith, of course. As my guardian, he must be there. But Neville?”
The look in Sarah’s eyes said they both knew why he must be there. But Sarah said only, “Neville is family.”
“To you.”
“Did he not play a part in the courtship between my brother and your sister?”
“I suppose,” Millie replied.
“Well, then. There you have it.”
Millie sighed. “That doesn’t make sense at all.”
“Neville is involved. I think I know why, but what I know is speculation. I can only tell you for certain that he is a very trustworthy man.”
She contemplated telling Sarah that Neville and his trustworthiness could hang. But Neville didn’t deserve her ill will. Onlyshewas at fault. In fact, she felt almost as if her own intentions had made tonight happen.
She took in a hard, frustrated breath.
“Was that a sniffle or an ironic laugh?” Sarah asked.
“Just last night, I told Lenora I’d rather be notorious than leg-shackled…” She groaned. “I think I have gotten my wish.”
“There are more than just those two options, you know.”
“Easy for you to say,” Millie replied. “You’re old.”
Sarah chuckled.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“I’m not insulted.” She shrugged. “I am well into my third decade. A firm spinster. And, yes, within reason, I do as I please.”
“But,” Millie pointed out the obvious, “you are the daughter of an extraordinarily powerful duke.”