He approached Milly. She was a little separate from the rest of the group as she had expressed an urge to draw some of the flowers gathered during her outing.
Henry sat down, and Milly smiled politely at him while giving him only the briefest of glances. “Are you not persuading everyone to dance tonight, My Lord?”
“No, I think young Baker is content where he is,” Henry said with a nod towards Charles who was sitting next to Miss Beresford, both in quiet conversation.
“I think he is, although I don’t suppose you appreciate such quiet evenings,” Milly said with a slight raise of her eyebrow and just a little twitch of her lips.
Henry smiled; his boredom discovered. “I’m sure they are good for the soul.”
“Just not your soul?”
“I admit, not mine; although you have now forced me into displaying the worst manners in being critical of my host’s entertainments.”
Milly smiled. “Your secret is safe with me, My Lord.”
They were silent for a few moments; a unique experience for Henry; most women bombarded him with chatter, all trying to gain the affection of a single, wealthy Earl, but Milly continued to concentrate on her task.
“You are a dedicated artist,” Henry said, finally breaking the silence between them.
“A stubborn one. My talent is not good enough to allow me to rest on my laurels. I constantly feel the need to improve.”
“Lord Chertsey would disagree. He was fulsome with his praise of your abilities, and I doubt your family would hang portraits in their gallery purely out of familial obligation,” Henry said genuinely. Yes, Edmund had used the excuse to note the layout of the house in case they needed it, but he had genuinely praised Milly’s ability.
Milly smiled, and a tinge of pink touched her cheeks. “You are very kind,” she said quietly.
Henry was intrigued; he was doing his best to be charming but, although she was affected by his flattery, she did not use it as an excuse to gain advantage. He tried to stop the smile developing on his face; Miss Holland was proving an interesting challenge.
“May I look at some of your drawings?” Henry asked pleasantly.
Milly smiled. “You may, with pleasure. My vanity is such that I can never refuse a request to see my scribbles. I filled this booklet today, so you can look at your leisure without me looking over your shoulder, hoping for flattery.” Milly moved the booklet she was working on and revealed an identical one underneath. She handed it to Henry and then resumed her current drawing.
Henry was amused, but with due diligence began at the beginning of the booklet and slowly worked his way through it. He had to admit there was genuine talent within the pages. He recognised places in London and objects she had copied. As the pages progressed the drawings represented the move to Seaton and the beach became the most prominent feature.
He was about to close the booklet when something on the last picture caught his eye. He glanced at the people in the room before concentrating further on the drawing. Everyone was occupied; even Joshua Shambles had entered into conversation with Mr Brandon.
Henry gritted his teeth as he studied the picture. If this had been discovered, or shown off to others tonight, the implications could be deadly. He turned to Milly and paused; she was innocently concentrating on her picture, oblivious to what she had done. For the first time in his life, he felt a little sickened.
He gently placed his hand on Milly’s arm. “Miss Holland, I need to speak to you in private.”
“We are not being disturbed; you can say whatever you wish,” Milly responded with a slight frown at the sudden request.
“No, that will not do. I need to speak to you without observation. It is of importance.” Henry was serious, but trying not to draw attention to them both.
Milly looked up for the first time really looking at Henry. All laughter was gone; he was no longer the teasing flirt she had seen since her introduction to him. She inclined her head slightly in acknowledgement of his request.
Milly spoke, a little louder than she had been, but still in a natural, unaffected tone. “Of course, My Lord, please follow me, and I can show you what I mean.” She turned to Clara and caught her eye. “I’m going to show Lord Grinstead the painting by Wilson, Clara.”
Clara smiled at her cousin before turning to Henry. “Be warned, My Lord, my cousin is very passionate in her defence of Mr Wilson’s paintings.”
“He is underappreciated in my view; his paintings of Italian landscapes are exquisite,” Milly responded with authority.
As they left the drawing room, Henry spoke. “What is it with this Wilson then, Miss Holland?”
Milly smiled. “His talent wasn’t appreciated while he was alive and, although not starving, he was living in quite poor circumstances when he died. My cousin’s father saw a painting being sold many years ago and had the foresight to buy it. I believe it’s one of the best paintings I’ve ever seen; the detail is perfect, and one could almost believe one were looking at a vista in Italy.”
Henry smiled; Clara had been correct; her cousin was passionate about the artist. Usually controlled, Milly had come to life when speaking, her eyes shining with the conviction of her words, her arms moving to emphasise what she was saying. “You have me convinced,” he said and smiled when Milly laughed.
“That was far too easy for me to believe you, My Lord, but here is the painting.”
The picture was not in the long gallery, but in an anteroom off it, showing that it was not considered by the family to be of great import. Henry was struck by the lifelike detail of the picture though and was inclined to agree with Milly.
“I have been to Italy, and it is an excellent picture. I know exactly where this was painted in Florence; it is a beautiful City; but it’s more than that; it’s the feel of the place. This Wilson has captured the atmosphere perfectly.”
“Unsurprisingly, I haven’t travelled so far, but a painting like this makes me long to explore the world,” Milly said with a note of longing in her voice.
Henry did not respond. There were no words to soothe such a desire. A spinster could hardly afford to live alone in most cases, never mind travel across Europe. Ladies in similar situations as Milly had to be satisfied with pictures.
Milly seemed to rouse herself. “I’m happy you appreciate the painting, but we did not come here for this alone, My Lord. What happened to cause such a request as you made?”
Henry immediately became serious. “It was your drawings.”
“Are they so bad?”
His lips twitched, but now was not the time for teasing. “The people you saw on the beach today, did they see you?”
Milly frowned slightly, trying to remember. “I’m almost sure not. I tend to seat myself behind some of the rocks; I like being on the beach rather than looking down from the beach house.”
“No one approached you?”
“No. I don’t think they even looked in my direction. They were interested in the caves though. I sat on the opposite side, more towards Mr Brandon’s property.”
“What did they do?”
“They walked around the headland. It’s unusual for people to come onto our beach, but not unknown; it isn’t private after all. The gentlemen walked over to the caves, entered them for a few minutes before walking back the way they came,” Milly answered.
Henry breathed a sigh of relief, for a split second he had worried that she had unknowingly put herself in real danger, but it appeared not. He paused before continuing; he was never normally concerned about anyone being in danger; he shook himself and continued. “Miss Holland, I need you to hide this picture where no one else will find it. You didn’t see anyone on the beach today; in fact you were engrossed in drawing pebbles and shells, not vistas.”
Milly paled a little, but her voice was steady. “Are my family in danger, My Lord?”
“Not as far as I can tell at the moment, but if you’d been discovered, you would have been. That drawing is excellent, but that’s a problem. I can recognise the men who visited the beach. If they knew of this drawing they would be determined to get rid of it. I’m not being unnecessarily dramatic in saying that they would not have hesitated in harming you if they had found you.”
“I shall return the booklet to my room and hide it there, or I could just destroy the picture?”
“No! If events don’t go to plan it could come in useful,” Henry said quickly. He could reproduce that picture if need be.
“I am concerned about your doubt that events won’t go as you wish,” Milly said; her tone was serious, and she held Henry’s gaze, challenging him not to try to pacify her with empty words.
“I’m going to do everything in my power to resolve things to both our satisfaction, but I would appreciate if you could assure me that you won’t go onto the beach alone for the next few days.” For the first time in his chosen occupation Henry did not wish someone to become embroiled in what was most definitely a dangerous situation. It was a strange feeling; it was easier when he did not care about what happened to anyone caught up in the illegal activities of society. Whether it was her quiet ways or the way she looked at him, as if she knew exactly what he was but did not condemn him, he was not sure, but he did not want her hurt.
Milly paused before speaking but eventually nodded her head. “None of us will be alone on the beach, My Lord.”
“Good.” Henry moved away from the painting. He would be glad when this episode was over and he could return to normality in London.
Chapter 16
Charles bounded into Clara’s bedchamber without knocking. Luckily, Clara was dressed and seated at her writing table, answering correspondence. She placed her quill on the inkstand and turned towards her brother.
“Am I to wish you happy?” she asked, smiling at Charles’ beaming face.
“Yes, dear sister, you certainly are!”
“Oh, Charles, I’m so pleased for you! She is a delightful girl, and I’m sure you’ll both be very content. You have my very best wishes.”
Charles flushed with pleasure. “She is an angel, Clara! I can’t believe she wants me.”
“I can,” Clara replied honestly.
“Even though I’ve been a beast these last few months?” Charles asked, a little hesitant.
“We’ve both been beasts,” Clara acknowledged. “I’ve been happy this last week because my brother has returned.”
“I have felt different,” Charles said honestly. “It’s to do with Miss Beresford. She brings out the best in me.”
“I hope your friend will be pleased for you. Are you making the announcement tonight as planned?”
“Yes, when we join you in the drawing room. Mr Beresford said he will send an announcement to the Times on Thursday, so it will be in Friday’s edition, in time for their return to the City. I’ve asked for a short engagement, and he has agreed. It’s all perfect!” Charles was all smiles, but then a cloud passed over his expression.
“What’s wrong?” Clara asked.
“It’s just Joshua. I don’t feel that I know him these last few days, he’s altered so much.”
“You’ve already acknowledged that you’ve changed, perhaps you are seeing him in a different light?” Clara suggested gently.
Charles smiled a rueful smile. “You mean see him as you do? I think I’ve always been a little in awe of him, perhaps even a little afraid, but he did me such a great service I’ve always felt I owed him a great deal.”
Clara was getting an insight into Charles’ feelings, something he had never admitted to before. It began to explain why he had so blindly followed Joshua. “And now?”
“He can’t join me in being happy, and I refuse to be miserable at the moment,” Charles said, his chest puffing out at his words.
“I’m glad. Miss Beresford deserves joy surrounding her on the announcement of her engagement. No one should take that away from you.”
“Are we friends again, Clara?” Charles asked, his demeanour a little less sure.
Clara stood and walked to where her brother was standing. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into an embrace. “We are and will always be friends, Charles. You and Milly are the two people most precious to me. I love you both dearly, you especially, my darling brother.”
“And I love you. I’m sorry we’ve argued,” Charles said gruffly.
Clara looked at her younger brother, he was one of the world’s genuine people, proved even more so by his friendship with Joshua. “It takes two to make an argument; I’m sorry as well. I shouldn’t have harangued you the way I did.”
Charles kissed Clara’s forehead, squeezing her before releasing her. “I’ve got to go. I’ve promised to be beaten at chess by my sweetheart!”
Clara smiled as the door closed behind her brother. It was good to see him so happy and a relief to know that soon Joshua would no longer have any influence over him. It seemed that Milly had been right; Charles was moving out of his influence by his own will. She should have kept her counsel instead of creating so much ill-feeling, but it was over now; they were friends, and that was all that mattered.
She returned to her writing table but did not continue the task that had been interrupted. Although she had imposed the ban, she had missed the company of Edmund, and once again he was at the forefront of her mind.