Esther would attend fewer of the events this year, given her more matronly status as a mother to a young child. But Isaac had another reason to appear at each event. The reason, of course, was a woman with copper hair and kind brown eyes.
Millie needed a friend. That much anyone might see. But few would act upon it, including his sister, though she had sent the letter to Millie’s mother as promised.
He took the invitation to his study and tossed it upon his desk before he pulled drawers open in search of ink and paper for his formal response. Every event, every outing, every moment he had been invited to be present, he would be there. So long as Millie needed him.
That very afternoon, they were to go to the ruins of the old Orford Castle. The ancient tower had been neglected for decades. But the old piles of stone proved an interesting spot for picnics. It was scenic. Took two hours to get to in good weather. He would need the carriage, whether Esther agreed to join him or not.
Once he had the note written, he rang for a footman and gave instructions to rush it to the Alderton estate immediately. Then he started giving orders for his carriage’s preparation, for his valet, for cook to prepare a basket full of foods for him to contribute to the picnic.
Each and every one of his servants stared at him with wide eyes, fairly gaping as he gave instructions. When Harper, his valet, outright grinned at Isaac’s demands, the baronet grumbled.
“I cannot understand why everyone acts as though my attending a picnic is extraordinary.”
Harper tried to hide his smile, poorly. “It is unusual is all, sir. We are happy for you.”
Isaac frowned deeply, but Harper kept hold of his good cheer. Isaac stared at the mirror as Harper adjusted his cravat. He had been socially selective. Unless he escorted Esther, he limited his acceptances of dinners and parties, even balls, to those his friends sent. It was easier to stay home. To avoid crowds.
What the devil was he doing, seeking out the very sort of situation he had avoided for over a year, all for a woman he barely knew?
But her laughter tickled his memory, pulled him out of the gloom. He took in his reflection in the looking glass. What would a young woman think of his appearance? He checked the lines of his waistcoat and critically eyed the empty left sleeve of his shirt.
“Would you like the use of the wooden arm, Sir Isaac?” Harper asked.
Isaac jerked his eyes away from the mirror.
He hated that arm. Hated the process of attaching it to the stub of flesh he had been left with the year before. Shuddering, Isaac shook his head. “No. It is unwieldy, awkward, and unsightly. Even with a glove upon it.”
Though he had paid well to have the arm carved into a mirror likeness of his remaining arm, it was disconcerting how stiff it was upon him. Putting a glove upon the oddly shaped fingers made it look worse, like he had stuffed sausages into the fingers of his best gloves. The whole thing had been a waste. It threw him off balance. Irritated him.
Admiral Nelson had appeared in all his portraits without a false arm. If it was good enough for one of Britain’s greatest heroes to be without a false-arm or hook-handed, it was good enough for Isaac.
“As you wish, sir.” Harper helped Isaac with his favorite dark green coat, a perfect choice for a visit to the ancient abbey. Isaac intended to take his carriage to the marquess’s home, to offer up additional seats should anyone need them. Perhaps Millie would wish to ride with him.
That prospect brought him out of the somewhat sour mood the false arm had thrust Isaac into moments before.
Upon his arrival at the Alderton estate, Isaac’s hackles came up at once. It was Lord Neil who greeted him in the main hall, after Isaac had been shown inside.
“Sir Isaac.” The man sounded slippery as ever. He came into the entryway from another room, dressed for the outing with his hat upon his head. “I did not expect you to join us. Though Olivia insisted upon inviting you.”
“Lord Neil.” Isaac inclined his head the barest amount. “I find myself in want of a change of scenery. What better opportunity than an outing such as this?”
“I can think of none.” Lord Neil adjusted his hat to sit at what he likely thought a rakish angle. While Silas made no effort to hide his dislike, Isaac put up with the marquess’s son mostly because he knew the man had never been a real threat to Esther. A nuisance, of course. But that was all.
“Do you intend to join a carriage or lend yours to the venture?” Lord Neil asked, tucking an unnecessary walking stick beneath his arm. “I am in charge of putting people into the correct boxes for the ride, you see.”
“I am lending my carriage. It can seat three more quite comfortably.”
“Splendid.” Lord Neil eyed Isaac carefully. “Will the countess join us?”
“Not today, I am afraid.”
“That is disappointing. I know Miss Wedgewood quite depends upon her ladyship’s friendship.”
Isaac studied the other man’s expression, noted his tone. Considering how thoroughly Silas had commanded Lord Neil to stay away from Esther, the marquess’s son still showed too much interest in her.
With a shrug of one shoulder, Isaac responded with feigned disinterest. “My sister is a woman with much to occupy her time. I will do my best to alleviate Miss Wedgewood’s disappointment with my company.”
That made Lord Neil’s somewhat bored expression flicker with momentary interest. “Is that your intention in coming today? I imagine she will be most grateful for your attention.”
Before Isaac sorted out whether or not Lord Neil meant to imply something other than what he said, a door opened at the top of the stairs. Feminine laughter drifted through the foyer and corridors. Isaac’s gaze took in several women coming down the steps but did not glimpse the copper curls for which he searched.
Lady Olivia and her mother appeared from the ground floor corridor, speaking with animation to each other and a servant who followed them.
The marchioness’s tone was light and airy, though none could doubt she meant her words as commands. “Make certain the wagons do not leave more than a quarter of an hour after the first carriage departs. We will want refreshment after we arrive at Orford Castle. The Earl of Montecliff will meet us there with his set, and I will not be unprepared.”
Lord Neil stepped away from Sir Isaac to bow to his mother. “I have all the assignments for the carriages, Mother.”
“Good. Take everyone outside and see to it they are all properly placed. Olivia and I are riding with Lord and Lady Carning?”
“As requested.” Lord Neil bowed again, then turned back to Sir Isaac. He made his way to the door, gesturing with the tilt of his head for Isaac to follow. Reluctantly, Isaac followed the other man back out into the late morning sun. “I will direct three guests to join you in your box, Sir Isaac, if you will take up your place beside it.
A row of carriages had joined Sir Isaac’s before the house. He did not have a chance to respond to Lord Neil before the man had approached a group of ladies and gentlemen, gesturing for them to take certain vehicles. Two women, sometimes three, and two gentlemen each were put into the four carriages ahead of Sir Isaac.
Lord Carning and his wife came out the door after nearly everyone else had climbed into their wheeled boxes. Isaac bowed as Lord Carning passed. He had met the duke’s grandson some years before, though their gap in age and rank meant theirs was no more than a nodding acquaintance. The couple went to the first carriage, and as soon as the door shut behind them the carriage pulled away, and the others followed.
Lord Neil walked back to Sir Isaac’s carriage, which set to one side of the line. He had to raise his voice to be heard over the crunch of gravel beneath wheels and the clomp of horse’s hooves. “My apologies, Sir Isaac. The ladies for your carriage are apparently not yet ready.”
As he hadn’t yet seen Millie emerge from the house, Isaac remained relaxed. “I am not pressed for time.”
Lord Neil smirked and went back to the grand front door. He disap
peared inside, likely to search out the missing guests.
Isaac shifted beside his vehicle, a groom standing nearby while the driver remained on top of the box. Anticipating Millie’s pleasure at seeing him, Isaac checked his cravat and the tilt of his hat. Then he caught a look of amusement upon his groom’s face. Isaac stopped fidgeting and adopted his most soldierly stance instead.
When the door to the house opened again, Isaac turned his full attention toward it, his heart inexplicably picking up speed. First Miss Ashford, a neighbor rather than a house party guest, emerged. She bounced down the steps cheerily, but Isaac’s eyes immediately went back to the open door.
Millie emerged, closed parasol in one hand, a fetching bonnet decked in green feathers atop her copper curls, matching the green of her shawl. Despite his promise to act merely as a friend, to do no more than keep her company, Isaac took a step toward her. He could feel the smile upon his face growing.
She came down the steps at a quick pace, coming even with Miss Ashford at the instant the other young lady made her curtsy to Isaac.
“Good afternoon, Miss Ashford. Miss Wedgewood.” He bowed to them in turn, then met Millie’s gaze. She shared with him a much less radiant smile, her face somewhat pale.
His enthusiasm waned, replaced by immediate concern. Was something amiss?
The door shut and Lord Neil came to the carriage. “That is everyone. We had better be going.”
Why Lord Neil arranged to ride in Isaac’s coach, he did not know, but he handed both ladies in and allowed Lord Neil to go up before him, too.
Once all four were settled, the door shut and the carriage started forward. The men sat on the rear-facing seat; the ladies adjusted their skirts and tilted their bonnets to allow for more comfortable positions. They had nearly a two hours’ ride to get to Orford, time Isaac intended to spend getting to know Millie better. Even with Lord Neil in the same carriage.
* * *
Millie had waited until the entry had cleared of all the guests before descending to the ground floor. The more she avoided contact with Lord Carning, the happier she would be. Sarah had given Millie another long, sharp needle to conceal in her bonnet before disappearing to join the servants in the wagons going to Orford. Though the servants attending were mostly meant to be those charged with laying out a picnic, a few of the ladies maids were going to help mistresses with wardrobe or toilette needs.
Having an ally in the form of her maid alleviated a fraction of Millie’s anxiety.
When she saw Sir Isaac waiting at his carriage, that nearly removed all her worry. Sir Isaac might be depended upon in an emergency. Lord Neil had proved pleasant company thus far, and Millie had met Miss Ashford on the night of the bonfire. At least the journey to Orford would prove pleasant.
The entirety of her plan included nothing more than wandering around old ruins and a quaint little town with Mr. Weston. She needed to get to know him if she wished to expose a weakness in his character.
As much as she looked forward to the carriage ride with Sir Isaac, having him about in Orford could make things difficult. Yet she doubted he would spend the afternoon in her company. As kindly as he treated her of late, she would never presume to take all his attention. He would know the titled guests and his local neighbors better. They would likely be his focus.
The carriage turned into the main road, and everyone exchanged pleasantries. Sir Isaac kept his eyes upon hers with the slightest upturn of his lips promising a smile to come, if she but said the right words.
“I am pleased you decided to come with the party today, Sir Isaac,” she said. “I understand we have a lovely day ahead of us. The picnic at the ruins, and a trip to the lighthouse. I have never seen a lighthouse up close.”
Sir Isaac relaxed into his seat. “I would not miss the opportunity to enjoy a day in Orford. It is a charming village. Are all the guests attending today?”
“Yes, everyone decided to attend. Except for His Lordship, the marquess.” Millie’s eyes darted to Lord Neil, who leaned an elbow against the windowpane.
His chin was in his palm and he had put on another elegant, bored expression. “Oh, Father never troubles himself with any of the excursions.”
Miss Ashford nodded with sympathy. “My papa tends to avoid stirring out of doors this time of year. But his lordship has an additional reason, considering he only returned home from London this very morning. I cannot say I would be eager to ride in a carriage again after such a long journey.”
Lord Neil shrugged and directed his gaze out the window.
“One does grow weary of the road from London,” Millie said brightly. Lord Neil had no wish to discuss his father’s reasons for remaining home, and she did not mind turning the conversation for his sake. She directed her next words to the other woman in the carriage. “Were you in London for the Season, Miss Ashford?”
The young woman brightened. “Only for a short time. We stayed with my uncle. He is in the House of Commons, you know.” She raised her chin at that pronouncement, then launched into a list of all the things she had experienced during her stay in London. Millie listened, somewhat helplessly, as Miss Ashford delighted in activities and sights that were a part of Millie’s regular day as a near-permanent resident of the city.
She caught Sir Isaac hiding his amusement behind his fist. His eyes sparkled when her gaze met his. Apparently, Miss Ashford’s enthusiasm for conversation did not come as a surprise to him. The young woman did not even appear to mind the fact that Lord Neil ignored the entire conversation.
When Miss Ashford finally paused for breath, Sir Isaac hastily spoke. “I believe I should like to visit London next winter. I am not usually fond of Town, but I understand there will be important votes coming in regard to aiding those who returned from war wounded.”
Millie picked up on that topic before Miss Ashford’s puzzled frown turned into more chatter. “You are uniquely placed to help influence the politics of such discussions.”
Sir Isaac blinked at her. “I cannot see how. I am not in either house, myself, but I do hope to prove a support to my brother-in-law.” He sounded as though he did not even consider the good he might do. Perhaps he meant to be modest.
“Do you not think you could meet with others who make those decisions? As a baronet, and with your connection to Lord Inglewood, you would certainly receive invitations aplenty into the homes of representatives from both Houses.” She gestured to his left sleeve. “You are in a unique position as one who understands a man who has experienced a personal loss in defense of King and Country. Sharing your experiences may well influence many to ponder the subject a little longer.”
To Millie’s surprise, Sir Isaac turned quite pale, and his gloved hand curled into a fist upon his knee. “I do not hold any influence in political arenas, Miss Wedgewood. He pointedly turned his face to Miss Ashford. “But perhaps Miss Ashford might suggest places to visit while I am in Town.”
The young woman happily began naming her favorite parks and theaters. Millie stared a moment at Isaac, wondering at the abrupt end of the topic he had brought up in the first place. She glanced at Lord Neil, who still stared out the window but had lifted his eyebrows slightly. Then she dropped her gaze to her lap.
For the remainder of the carriage ride, she confined herself to more appropriate subjects of conversation. Perhaps straying into the world of politics had been her mistake. Not all men enjoyed conversations of that depth with women. Her father had spoken to her of politics often, given that they had few people to debate in their semi-exile from the fashionable world. She supposed her father was rather unique, including her in such topics.
The remainder of the ride passed more pleasantly, once Millie relaxed into less weighty discussion. Lord Neil even joined in a time or two, when the topic strayed to the other activities of the house party.
Lord Neil and Sir Isaac never spoke directly to each other, she noticed, though both were perfectly polite and civil. How interesting.
When
the carriage arrived in Orford, passing through the village, Millie turned all her attention inward. Mr. Weston was her quarry. She had to hunt him down. Spend every possible moment at his side, on his arm if possible, and let the outrageous flirt flatter her until she could gain his trust enough that he would drop his guard. She needed a scent to follow if there were to be any secrets uncovered.
Millie suffered a moment of regret. Spending time with Sir Isaac would be much more diverting. More pleasant. She sighed and checked her bonnet when the carriage rolled to a stop.
The groom opened the carriage door. Isaac stepped out first, then held his hand out to Millie. She took it with a smile and descended from the carriage, then immediately turned her attention to the crowd of people entering the rubble-strewn area around the castle. A castle that appeared more like a single tower of a larger fortress, if she were truthful. It was a strange, small piece of architecture, but it made for an interesting study.
Millie popped open her parasol and hurried her steps to catch the group, heedless of leaving the others from her carriage behind. They would not miss her. Not even Isaac. He would look after himself well enough, and she had an assignment to fulfill.
The more time she spent concentrating on Mr. Weston, the less she had to worry about fulfilling the part of her bargain that included harming Sir Isaac.
Chapter 15
Before Isaac said a word, before he asked Millie if he might escort her as they explored the ruins, she rushed off. The woman did not even glance over her shoulder to see if he—or Lord Neil and Miss Ashford—followed. It was as though she could not wait to leave him behind.
Had he done something to upset her? Their time in the carriage had been amicable. Enjoyable, to him, even. Despite sharing a box with Lord Neil. Apparently, Millie hadn’t felt the same given her haste to leave him behind.
Engaging Sir Isaac: An Inglewood Romance Page 16
