Henry went cold. “Why her and not me? He could approach me anytime.”
“You are a Lord, she is a spinster. No one makes a fuss if a nobody disappears, but they do if someone titled does. Joshua wants to avoid the hangman; if he goes after you he’d be guaranteed to swing, but the young lady needs teaching a lesson in his eyes. How far he will go in that…,” the man shrugged, leaving the sentence hanging. Both recognised the truth in his words. If Milly were to disappear, what could her small family do? The reality was: very little. It would be presumed she had eloped with a lover, not that one of the most wanted men in London had caused her disappearance.
“Thank you, Mack,” Henry said. “I need to take measures to stop him getting to her.”
“She’d need a complete army to protect her; he’s lost any conscience he might have had once upon a time. The young lad that found everything out for him won’t forget his last visit to Joshua anytime soon,” Mack responded remembering the beating he had been a witness to. Mack was a hard man; he had to be because of the work he was involved with, but even he had felt sympathy for the waif as he had been struck. “He was lucky to escape with his life. Luckily, I managed to see him afterwards, and he’s now on his way out of the City, off to work on a big estate.”
Mack left the house, leaving through the back garden, in order to fade into the shadows. Mack could have told Henry exactly where to find Joshua Shambles, but both men knew that Mack was working under cover for a reason and, thankfully, Henry did not realise who Mack was working with, or he would have tried to force Mack to reveal the location. Mack had a job to do, and the risk to Milly was not enough to threaten the success of that. Joshua was only a worker; they needed to find out who was really working against the King, and it was more than likely going to be someone high in either the peerage or the government. Mack was using Joshua to find out the others involved. If he turned him in, a vital communication channel would be lost, and Mack was not prepared to do that. He had done his good deed by warning Henry; now it was up to the Earl to protect himself and the girl. Mack had other tasks to worry about.
Henry was left in the house to pace across his study, cursing his involvement of an innocent. He had acted selfishly and the result could be that Milly paid for his actions.
Finally, he stopped pacing. There was nothing to decide; he had put her at risk; he had to ensure she was safe. He could not let another life be lost at the hands of Joshua Shambles.
Chapter 8
Milly walked each morning to the post office. It was for no other reason than to escape the house for a little while. She could easily have the letters delivered but chose to escape her mother for a short time each morning. It also meant she could meander through the town, enjoying the peace and freedom, very often calling in to see Sarah while on her travels.
It was always a pleasure to receive letters from Clara. She did not expect to hear from Charles; he had never been a prolific letter writer, but Clara wrote every few days, using the letters to express her wonder at the pleasure in being married and travelling with a man determined to enjoy every minute with his new wife. Milly was inordinately pleased for her cousin and her match; anyone who had seen the pair on their wedding day would have been convinced of a long-lasting bond.
There was another reason Milly preferred to be alone while perusing the letters, and that had to do with her own next appointment. It would be the first time she would be employed; being with family was not the same, especially when the family was as considerate as Charles and Clara had been. The adjustment to the situation she needed to deal with had to take place away from her mother’s scrutiny. Mrs. Holland would not understand why Milly was saddened by the acceptance of a position.
This appointment would be a recognition that all possibility of marriage was lost. In her heart she knew the truth, but there had always been a fragment of hope that one day she would meet someone who would love her enough to marry her, whatever her age and lack of dowry.
She was not longing for Mr Connor; seeing him had convinced her that she had no feelings for her old beau and was actually questioning the depth and reality of her so-called love for him. She was not even allowing herself to pine after the man who filled her dreams and most of her waking thoughts; that was a dream too far, there was no worth in longing for something that had no grounding in reality.
So, after much soul searching, she had come to the conclusion that she was letting a piece of her heart long for an unrealistic ideal ̶ something that was never going to happen. Her acceptance of her lot would make it far easier to absorb the information in the letter she had received that morning. Needing counsel she decided to visit Sarah.
Sarah listened to Milly before speaking. “So, you are determined to accept the position?” she asked when Milly had explained the letter that had caused her to be so perturbed.
“I haven’t really any choice; I know that. It just seems so far away.”
“Ireland
is
far away.”
Milly smiled. “I know, but it sounds a very good position. Not an aged person but someone who is widowed early and wishes to have a companion.”
“But what if she marries again?”
“Then I suppose I return home.”
“I can’t help feeling if you travelled all the way to Ireland, you would never return.”
“I probably wouldn’t in reality, and it’s a thought that doesn’t worry me; that’s why I’m here, I suppose. Should I be concerned at making such a huge change? Apart from my brothers, Clara, Charles and yourself, there is little to keep me in England. Perhaps a new life will be the making of me!”
“Is that not enough people to make you stay closer?” Sarah asked sadly.
“It would be, but I have to face reality. I think I need to carve out a life for myself, if that makes sense?” Milly responded.
“Not really,” Sarah admitted.
Milly laughed. “Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to me either, but it feels as if I’ve been dependent on others all my life and, since father died, that dependency hasn’t rested easy. It’s harder to accept help when you are reliant on your extended family. At least this way I will be employed and making my own way in the world.”
“We are all dependent on others, Milly. That wouldn’t have changed if you’d married; you know that. Surely you would want to share in the joys of being an aunt when your brothers settle?”
“I would, but I don’t want to become the maiden aunt who falls asleep at the side of the fire every evening constantly travelling around the country to stay with another unwilling relative. I don’t wish to become that burden. If that happened I’m sure I would become as bitter as mother is, even if hers is caused through some of her own actions.”
“Dreading family members staying might be the case in some families, but not in yours!”
“Not yet it isn’t, but what of my nieces and nephews? Will they welcome me into their homes? It isn’t fair to them or me. This way, I can earn my own money. I’m frugal, and one day I might return with enough to pay for a comfortable retirement. The pay is very good for this position, far more than any other that has been advertised.”
“Which makes me all the more suspicious!” Sarah harrumphed. “You could be walking into all the horrors of a gothic novel for all you know!”
“I’m meeting the lady in question in two weeks!” Milly laughed. “She is currently in England visiting family and will be travelling through Guildford and has suggested meeting me there. If we both like each other, I will continue with her on her journey.”
“I’m sure there would be positions equally as desirable in this country.”
“None that I’ve found so far and, with Mother being so keen to see me gone, this is a good opportunity all round.”
“I beg to differ! As your friend I cannot be happy that you are leaving and, although we’ll still write, it won’t be the same,” Sarah said, reaching over and squeezing Milly’s hand. “I’ll miss you; it’s been so good to see you again. I selfishly don’t want you to go quite yet.”
“And I will miss you,” Milly responded, touched that her friend was so sad to see her leave the locality. “I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t feel it was for the best.”
*
Milly walked slowly back to the Castle Street deep in thought. In some respects she was running away if she accepted the position, but she felt she had no choice. She was not overwhelmed by self-pity; she was positive the route she had taken was the ideal opportunity, in some ways putting her a little in control of her life and also widening her horizons. She determined to view it as an adventure. She had once complained to Lord Grinstead that she longed to travel, now was her chance.
She saw Mrs Connor walking towards her and groaned inwardly; why Mrs Connor felt the need to boast in Milly’s presence she had no idea. Whether it was done through pure malice or from insecurity, Milly would probably never find out.
“Miss Holland! How pleasant to meet you; I was just on my way to visit your charming little house,” Mrs Connor said, as always her smile never quite reaching her eyes. “I shall accompany you home.”
Milly let the comment pass that Mrs Connor had been walking in the opposite direction to Castle Street and had to change direction to accompany Milly. They walked in silence for a few moments before Mrs Connor started the conversation once more.
“It must be pleasant to visit your mother after such an amount of time. I do hope you weren’t avoiding us, Miss Holland!”
“Not in the slightest. My cousin needed a companion, and I was more than happy to oblige.” Milly’s tone was always a little wary around Mrs Connor.
“Things must seem to have stood still since you left us.”
“Not at all; marriages have taken place, children have been born. Lives continue as they do everywhere.”
“When do you think you will be leaving us once more? You seem to have been sending and receiving a large amount of correspondence.” Mrs Connor looked very keen to know the answer to her question.
“I receive a number of letters from my cousin. She is enjoying writing about the sights she is seeing on her wedding trip.”
“Oh, come Miss Holland! We are all friends here! Your cousin could not be such a prolific letter writer; I know on my own wedding trip I was too busy to write letters! You must tell me of what you intend!”
“If you don’t mind I will keep my plans to myself at the moment; I would rather make my mother aware of any changes in my circumstances myself before broadcasting them to the town,” Milly responded. One thing she did dislike about returning home was the fact that all her business was known. The postmistress was obviously keen to report the number of letters Milly had received.
Mrs Connor looked annoyed at Milly’s response, but as they had reached Milly’s home, she refrained from pressing further. As Milly moved to open the door, both ladies were aware of a carriage stopping beside them.
Milly turned, and her complexion flushed as she instantly recognised the coat of arms on the carriage door. The footman jumped down from the grand equipage, its shiny black body and four horses pulling it betraying the expensiveness of the barouche. The footman pulled the steps in place before opening the door and handing out the occupant of the carriage.
“Good afternoon, Miss Holland; it is a delight to see you looking so well on this fine day,” came the silky smooth voice of Lord Grinstead.
Henry looked in amusement at Milly’s flushed cheeks and shocked expression. He could not help himself, he enjoyed making a dramatic entrance, and he had achieved his aim with the reaction he was causing. He congratulated himself on looking his best; even if he was there for a specific purpose, it had not detracted from the fact that he had chosen his clothes that morning to enhance his colouring and figure; clothing that hugged his body, emphasising the muscles, always had the greatest impact.
Milly also looked well. He was loathe to admit how much he had missed seeing her, but for now any nonsensical thoughts were pushed to one side once he had admired her for a few moments. He was here to do the job of keeping her safe; he had convinced himself of that as the only reason he had travelled all this way and, as always, he was determined to do that job well.
“Lord Grinstead!” Milly responded, eventually her brain able to work once more and curtseying to Henry’s bow. “I didn’t expect to see you in Farnham.” She did not like the fact that Mrs Connor was seeing her surprise and confusion, but it could not be helped.
“I decided I needed a trip out of London and remembered I’d not visited this quaint little town for some time. I am staying at the Hog’s Back Inn for a few days.” Henry smiled at Milly. He was aware they were being watched with interest by the lady accompanying Milly and turned his attention on her. She was not as pleasing on the eye as Milly, her rouged cheeks and many curls giving her the appearance of an overly made-up doll in his eyes, but as always he turned on the Grinstead charm. “And who is this delightful creature accompanying you?”
Milly recollected herself. “This is Mrs Connor. Mrs Connor, please let me introduce the Earl of Grinstead to you. Mrs Connor lives in what was my parent’s home just on the outside of town, My Lord. You will have passed it on your journey in.”
Mrs Connor curtseyed deeply. “My Lord, it is a pleasure to welcome you to our humble town.”
“Thank you Mrs Connor, I’m delighted to be here.” For once Henry was speaking the truth. Panic and worry for Milly’s safety had driven him to venture here but, for the moment, he could put that to one side; she was here, safe and looking delightful.
“My Lord, we were just about to enter and order some refreshments. Would you care to join us?” Milly asked, not sure whether her mother would be delighted at having a peer under her roof or cross that she would be obliged to use her finest tea.
“That would be very pleasant, if it isn’t too much trouble and would give me the opportunity to distribute the gifts I have brought with me,” Henry said, turning back to the footman who retrieved parcels out of the carriage.
Milly was surprised at his words but led the way into the house. She turned to see Henry bending slightly, removing his stovepipe before he attempted entry and smiled at the sight. He filled the doorway, and the hallway seemed smaller than usual with his bulk crammed into it.
The maid took their outer garments, and Milly led the way into the small drawing room. Mrs Holland was taken by surprise but her welcome was everything Milly hoped for. Before too long the small group was seated, enjoying tea and biscuits.
Henry put down his cup and saucer and reached for the parcels that had been placed next to him on the sofa. It amused him that Mrs Connor seemed more intrigued about their contents than the actual recipients of the presents.
“Mrs Holland, I hope you will accept these few items. Your daughter always spoke highly of you when we were in the same company in London and at your nephew’s home in Dorset, and I feel as if I already know you,” Henry said with a flourish.
Milly raised her eyebrows at him in amusement. She could not remember mentioning her mother, apart from when she explained about their change in accommodation, which had obviously given him much information.
Henry returned her look with one of mock innocence before handing Mrs Holland a large tea caddy, full of the finest green tea. This was then surpassed with the box of chocolates that he gave her, followed closely by a box of delights such as butter, sugar, biscuits and oranges that he explained he had obtained from his own orangery. The gifts were finished off by the giving of a fine silk shawl, which made Mrs Holland quite delighted with her guest.
Henry then turned to Milly. “Miss Holland, I couldn’t resist bringing this for you.” He handed Milly a heavy parcel, which when opened, contained books of blank paper, watercolour paints and pencils.