Chapter Twelve
“Oh, Milli, this is just what I needed to get back on my feet! I’m so excited. Roderick wanted me to go to Bath for the waters, but this way, I can have a month of parties and soirees and heal at the same time. Helping you find a husband makes everything brighter. I can take care of someone I love.”
Milli smiled past the numbness that settled in her brain. She loved Jane. The loss of this last baby had taken the sparkle from her friend’s eyes. Marcus was correct. Telling Jane that she would like to start looking for a husband was just the information the duchess needed to hop out of bed and start making her lists. Although the duke had mentioned traveling to Bath might be good for the entire family, Jane had not thought much about it until Milli had made her announcement.
Not that Milli had wanted to start looking for a husband. She had hung her hopes on Marcus since the first day she had seen him in the Elbourne ballroom. But he hated her now. Her theatrics had gone too far. Throwing Lord Hughmont in his face had only pushed Marcus further into the hands of Miss Canton.
Milli wanted to cry. Miss Canton was beautiful and sophisticated and had all the connections that Marcus needed to fulfill his dream of traveling to America or anywhere he wanted.
Besides, what single man could deny Miss Canton? She was the belle of any ball, and would look good on any gentleman’s arm. Marcus may not love the lady, but that didn’t seem to matter to him.
Milli listened to Jane make her lists for Bath. But in the back of her mind, Milli knew she needed to forget about Marcus. She needed to halt her adoration of a man who had no idea she was a woman.
His kiss in the library had been a grand lesson. A lesson that told her he could kiss any female he pleased, but he would not attach himself to any. At least not in love. Lady Madeleine had broken his heart, and considering his parent’s unhappy marriage, nothing Milli did would change his thoughts about loving his wife.
Her heart felt stripped and beaten.
Marcus was looking for a convenient bride. In the end, it would probably be Miss Canton. Milli knew she was not even on his list. But she didn’t want to be now, not with his rules.
She stiffened her resolve to start anew in Bath. She would always be fond of Marcus, but she had no need of a man who would push her love aside.
She perked up when she thought about a new plan. Perhaps she would look into the property for her new school that she wanted to buy in Bath.
She let out a real smile as she followed Jane about her bedchambers. Yes, a new school was the answer. If she could help other young ladies in Society believe in themselves, let them know that they were capable of much more than being a woman without a brain, she could fulfill her dream. She could find a greater meaning in life than just thinking about Marcus, who didn’t think she was anything but a spoiled child.
“Is there anyone you would like to invite?” Jane asked, pulling Milli from her thoughts. “I would think you have some idea.”
Milli pursed her lips. “I will send you a list as soon as I can.”
Jane clasped her hands, but there was still a glimmer of sorrow in her eyes. “Oh, Milli, you have given me my life back.”
Tears choked Milli’s throat as she tipped her lips into a tight smile. “I am certain my sister may want to be a part of this too. I have yet to tell her the news.”
Jane laughed. It was the first real laugh Milli had heard in weeks. “Elizabeth will be a bit shocked, but I have no doubt she will help me host the parties. We will be the toast of Bath. There won’t be a single gentleman or lady who won’t want an invitation to one of our parties. And we will surely find you a husband.”
“Goodness, I don’t want to look like I’m a charity case, scouring the entire ton for a spouse.”
Jane’s blue eyes glittered with delight. “You are not a charity case, dearest. You are an heiress. But most of all, you are a beautiful, intelligent woman with your own mind. If you do not find a husband in Bath, we will keep searching.”
Jane took Milli’s hands in hers. “But you must marry for love, dearest. There are fortune hunters out there who don’t play fair. Yet I believe Roderick and his brothers will help clear that path for you. My goodness, the man wouldn’t live to tell about it.”
Milli shrugged. “I am thinking I may never get married. Roderick, Clayton, Stephen, and Stonebridge are not known for their gentleness.”
“Yes, well, I will have a talk with them.” She peered at Milli through cautious eyes. “But what about Marcus?”
Milli looked back, realizing Jane saw more than most. “He thinks I am a child.”
“Perhaps he thinks you are too young to marry. The Clearbrook gentlemen are quite protective, and I think Marcus is the worst of them all. He was in love once. When he was a few years older than you. The lady was quite the flirt. He didn’t see her flaws. He eventually discovered she had been playing with the affections of many gentlemen. So, because of his past, perhaps Marcus wants only the best for you and is afraid of anything less.”
Milli heaved a tired sigh. “I don’t know about that.”
Jane pulled Milli back to the sofa. “If you want to fund a school for young women, rest assured, Roderick and I will be there for you. You do not have to marry at all.”
Milli wanted to tell Jane the truth, but the duchess seemed so happy. “I know, but I think it best if I take a look at the prospects, do you not?”
“But if you do not fall deeply in love, you may stay single all of your life. Do we agree?”
Milli squeezed out a grin. “I daresay, husband hunting cannot be that disagreeable.”
Jane gave her a hug. “You must be on the outlook for those fortune hunters.”
“Oh, have no worries. Before Papa died, he talked to me about that. I will know a fortune hunter when he comes courting.”
“How will you know?”
Milli’s eyes twinkled. “When he kisses me, of course.”
“When he kisses you?”
“Yes, if I get a wart on my nose, I will know for certain he is not my prince, but a fortune hunter who was once a frog.”
Jane burst out laughing. Milli joined in, and that was the sound Roderick and Marcus heard as they walked up the stairs.
Roderick grabbed the banister and halted on the steps.
Marcus glanced at the duchess’s bedchamber door. He stared at Roderick. “Perhaps the move to Bath will be just what she needs.”
Roderick’s shoulders seem to sag in relief. “I thought she was going to die. The doctor said I could have lost her. I don’t think Jane knew how bad it was. We almost did lose her that night of the ball.”
Marcus followed the duke up the steps. “I didn’t know it was that bad.”
Roderick pushed a hand through his black hair. “I would die without her. She is everything to me.”
Marcus regarded his brother. “You are a different man since you married her.”
Roderick stopped in the hall. He turned to Marcus. “That is Milli in there with Jane. They must not have noticed the door is open a crack.”
Marcus lifted his brows as he listened to the laughter drifting from the room. “The little elf is probably swooning and twirling about, giving your wife quite the show.”
Roderick shook his head. “It’s more than that. That tiny female has done what I could not. She has put the happiness back into my wife’s life.” His tone softened. “I will never forget it.”
Marcus felt a lump lodge in his throat. Hell’s bells, he had never seen Roderick so emotional. Milli put happiness into many lives. But she wanted love, and he could not give that to her.
Roderick grabbed the banister and scowled. “The thought of anyone hurting that delicate female makes my blood curdle.”
Marcus agreed. “I think I would shoot any man who hurt a hair on her head.”
Roderick looked thoughtful.
Marcus’s face beamed with mischief. “Do we dare enter your shared chambers and fetch the cigars you have in your bureau?”
“I could have sent the butler, but I wanted to see how Jane was doing. I can barely be away from the woman.”
The ladies’ laughter was contagious. Marcus smiled. “What the devil could be so amusing?”
“Perhaps they are talking about you?” Roderick said with a chuckle.
“Or perhaps Milli told Jane she was ready to start husband hunting.”
Roderick’s dark gaze glittered with unease. “Ah, you talked her into it, I presume?”
Marcus felt uncomfortable even admitting it. “She knew it would give Jane the lift she needed.”
“Devil take it, I feel responsible for her. I will not let anything happen to her, do you understand?”
Marcus’s hard gaze locked with his. “I have no wish for her to be hurt either.”
“Are you going to start your hunt for a wife?”
Marcus bit back an oath. Being pushed into marriage didn’t sit well with him at all. But seeing the sadness in Roderick’s eyes before the man turned away, reinforced Marcus’s duty to wed and have an heir. “I won’t let you down. I will marry soon.”
Roderick glanced over his shoulder. “I know it sounds amusing coming from my lips, but a love match—”
Marcus threw up his hand, halting Roderick’s speech. “Jupiter and Zeus! Don’t want to hear your vows of undying love. I tried that once, thank you very much, and it did not work. I have my ideas. You have yours. Let’s leave it at that.”
Roderick didn’t argue. He turned his head as the laughter dwindled to more serious conversation. They walked closer.
“And Lord Knightengale, of course,” Jane replied, her voice excited. “He is at the top of the list. I can tell the way he looks at you. Then there is Lord Hughmont. He is quite the catch.”
Roderick’s brows lifted as he shifted a serious gaze toward Marcus.
Marcus’s expression turned grim. “A list of suitors. They have no idea what is behind our plan. Do you really think it wise?”
“We must find the murderer. Hell’s teeth. Do you want some man lurking about, ready to snatch that little innocent at any time?”
“No,” Marcus snapped. “I just don’t like the idea of putting Milli at risk.”
“She won’t be at risk, not if we are there. But make no doubt about it, the man will be searching for his prey, whether we involve ourselves or not. Milli is the target. We are only setting the trap. We have too many men on his trail. We will find him, or I will die trying.”
Marcus grimaced. “If he lays one finger on her in anger, I shall kill him.”
Roderick looked at him thoughtfully. “Thunderation, I believe you would.”