Chapter Twenty
“By George, heard it was a rather good fight! It was quite the hum at the card room last night!”
Milli grimaced as she walked about the Pump Room and listened to Lord Hughmont’s one-way conversation about the brawl between Marcus and Stephen. “I think I have heard enough, if you please.”
Hughmont sipped some of the waters and sighed. “Jolly good show. Well, well, enough of that.”
Milli wanted to give the appearance to all of Bath that nothing was amiss after that disastrous picnic. She put on her best face. Everyone seemed to be here today, including all the Clearbrooks and their spouses, all except Marcus. She had not seen him since the picnic yesterday.
Milli looked over the crowd. The place was filling up fast. Voices blared above the music. Lady Bringston stood by the string quartet and waved across the room as she spoke to Lady Philomena.
Milli nodded. But in reality, she wanted to run the other way. Lady Philomena was the last person she wanted to talk to after yesterday’s fiasco.
“They say it was a draw,” Hughmont blurted, not able to hold back. “Do you know who won?”
Milli rolled her eyes. “For goodness sakes, no one won.”
Hughmont pressed his lips together and was quiet.
Milli looked up as Knightengale approached. “Hughmont, the duke wants to speak to you.” The man’s eyes gleamed with mischief.
Hughmont sat his glass down and scowled. “What does he want now?”
Knightengale smiled at Milli, then shifted his amused gaze back to Hughmont. “I daresay, my good man, I believe His Grace wishes to know your intentions.”
Milli’s eyes widened and her mouth made a small “o”.
Hughmont reddened. “I say . . . I say.”
“I think you had best move to the duke’s tune,” Knightengale said, lifting a warning brow. “The man has been looking quite unhappy lately.”
Hughmont turned to Milli. “I shall return shortly. Do not move from this spot.” And then he was gone.
Milli blinked, saying nothing. One of these men could be the murderer. More than anything, she wanted them to play out their part. Breadford hadn’t been paying much attention to her lately. But Valford and Bennington had both taken her out for a walk this morning. As if he could read her thoughts, Valford grinned at her from across the room. She forced her lips to turn upward, but inwardly she felt as cold as ice.
Knightengale led her to some chairs on the opposite side of the room. “Is there ever a time a gentleman is not with you? I can hardly get a word in edgewise.”
Milli played with a wrinkle in her gown. “I believe my money draws them more than my looks.”
He took her hand in his and kissed it. “You are by far the fairest woman here.”
She let out a giggle, feeling quite at ease with the gentleman. “Oh, do go on, Lord Knightengale. Do go on.”
He burst out laughing. “Your hair is like silk floating on the breeze. Your fine gray eyes are large and luminous, drawing any man into a trance.” His voice turned husky as he whispered in her ear. “Your tiny figure is delightful. Your skin is as white and soft as a—”
She colored, leaning away and laughing. “That is quite enough.”
He shrugged, his blue eyes glittering. “You did ask me to go on.”
She clasped her hands on her lap. “I did, and now I am regretting it.”
“You must know, I have set my cap for you, and I care nothing about your money.”
She swallowed, a bit embarrassed by his attentions.
He put his hand over hers. “If you would do me the honor of marrying me, Millicent, I would be the luckiest man on earth. I love you, you know.”
Her heart gave a little kick of regret. She liked this man, but she didn’t love him. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything, my dear. Think it over. It’s a decision that lasts a lifetime. I know others are in the running, but I will do anything in my power to make you happy. I promise, you won’t be sorry.”
She smiled back, wondering if she should rethink her marriage plans. Perhaps she could learn to love this man. Obviously, Marcus was not prepared to marry her. He had been playing with her feelings only to lure the villain from his lair. And this man was anything but a villain.
“I shall think it over.”
“That’s all I ask, my dear.”
He grabbed her hand, sending a warm sensation through her. It wasn’t the tingle Marcus gave her, but it was nice. They could be friends, could they not?
Marcus’s expert gaze traveled over the crowd in the Pump Room. “Hell’s bells. I don’t see her.”
Stephen stood next to him. There were bruises beneath each of their right eyes, but they didn’t seem to care about the strange looks shooting their way. “She’s over there. Holding hands with Knightengale. You could have intervened sooner if you had been here.”
Marcus’s head jerked. “That weasel.”
Stephen turned to him as if they had never fought at all. “You think Knightengale is our man?”
“No. I’ve known him forever. But he has an affection for Milli, and I don’t like it. The man has a way with the ladies. He is too experienced by far.”
Stephen peered at Marcus through one good eye. “You may have kissed her, but you don’t own her.”
Not yet, Marcus thought. But she will be mine.
He had decided he wanted her at the picnic. He didn’t want anyone else to have his little princess, and after they found William Shelby’s murderer, he was gong to make it known to Stephen and everyone that Milli was his and no other man’s.
He smiled to himself. She was the light in the sky. The moonbeams at night. The wind in the summer. The food for his lonely heart.
Marcus turned at the sudden tap on his shoulder.
“So,” Jane said with authority, “you two have made up and won’t fight anymore?”
Marcus lifted an amused brow. “Stephen is my brother, and will always be my brother, whether I agree with him or not.”
Jane smiled. “And Stephen, I take it you feel the same way?”
Stephen stuck his hands in his jacket. “If he kisses Milli one more time, I will—”
“You will what, dear husband?” Elizabeth came up beside him and squeezed his arm.
Stephen frowned. “Well, confound it. I think—”
Marcus snorted. “I believe he would like to say that me kissing Milli makes her suitors all the more aware of her beautiful qualities.”
Jane’s eyes widened. “Why Marcus, I never though you had it in you to be so . . . so . . .”
“Poetic,” Elizabeth put in, eyeing him as if she had never seen him before.
Marcus bristled beneath the ladies’ stares.
“Yes,” Jane replied. “But Milli is such a delicate creature, she may believe you love her. She might not understand that you are only testing her suitors.”
Marcus colored. “I would never intentionally hurt her.”
Elizabeth frowned. “I don’t like it. I wish you would not pretend to set your cap for her. All of Bath is talking about it. Yet there is also talk that you and Miss Canton may be setting a date soon. It is a whirlwind of gossip, and it sets my teeth on edge.”
From the corner of his eye, Marcus saw Milli laughing with Knightengale. Thank goodness Hughmont had entered their conversation.
“Marcus?” Elizabeth remarked, watching him.
“Miss Canton is a beautiful woman,” he finally said.
Elizabeth poked her husband. “Stephen, tell him he must not continue this farce. I don’t want some suitor thinking he must ask for my sister’s hand because he’s afraid Marcus might ask for her first. I fear many of her suitors are only interested in her money. She is a very fine girl, and I think she would make a wonderful wife, but I want Milli’s husband to love her and nothing short of that will do.”
Stephen turned to Marcus. “My wife says to tell you to stop kissing Milli. If you love her, it is quite all right, but if you do not love her, you are messing with the rest of the suitors. And if the suitors want to marry Milli for her money, I will sniff them out.” He turned to his wife. “Is that about it?”
Elizabeth twisted her lips into an exasperated frown. “Not exactly.”
Marcus scowled. He wanted Milli, but it was not the time to discuss his intentions, not until the murderer was found. “I will not marry for love, so you can be assured, I am not a threat.”
Stephen turned to Elizabeth. “Allow me to translate. Marcus says he will not fall in love, so he is not a threat.”
Elizabeth poked Marcus in the stomach. “What if Milli is love with you?”
“Yes, then what?” Jane asked, scowling.
Stephen sighed. “I am going to fetch a glass of the waters. Perhaps it will cure everything.”
That left Marcus alone with the two women. They could stare down a tiger with those glares. Marcus pulled at his cravat. “That, dear ladies, is between me and Milli.”
Jane jabbed her finger into his side. He winced. “If you dare hurt that girl I will send your Mama to live with you . . . forever.”
Marcus’s expression turned serious. “Bringston won’t let that happen, I can tell you that.”
Elizabeth frowned. “Oh, Marcus, I don’t want Milli to be hurt. She has loved you since the first time she saw you at Elbourne Hall. She is still quite young, and she may want a husband. But I fear she may be running away from you and into someone else’s arms, someone who does not love her.”
Marcus didn’t like the turn of conversation, and he certainly didn’t like the thought of Milli in someone else’s arms. “Well, what the devil can I do about that?”
“You can marry her,” Jane said with a smile.
Before Marcus could open his mouth and defend himself, Captain Argyle walked up to them. “Afternoon, Argyle. You know Lady Elizabeth and Her Grace.”
The captain bowed and made his greetings.
As Jane and the captain chatted, Elizabeth turned to Marcus. “Do have a care,” she said in a low voice. “Milli is a delicate soul. I know you are trying to help, but somehow, I think there is something else going on between the two of you. Is there?”
Marcus wished he could tell the lady about her father, but he couldn’t. “I would tell you anything if I could.” And that was the truth.
Elizabeth’s worried gaze shifted toward Milli. “Is she in danger? I feel she is hiding something.”
Marcus’s face went blank. “In danger from me?”
Elizabeth’s distressed expression stabbed at Marcus’s heart. “That is something you must determine for yourself,” she said in a frustrated tone. “But no, I am not talking about your relationship with my sister. I am talking about the reason we are in Bath.”
Marcus swallowed, wishing his brothers or Stonebridge would come to his aid.
Elizabeth saw the hesitancy in his face. “I knew it. Something is wrong. Stephen has been acting quite strange lately as well.”
Marcus swung his gaze toward Milli. He must change the subject. “Did you know your sister is interested in buying a row of houses in the southern part of Bath?”
Elizabeth blinked in shock. “Why in the word would she do that?”
“To house a school for young women.”
Elizabeth’s brows went up. “She will be the subject of unending gossip if she plans to do that alone.”
“Perhaps that is why she is looking for a husband.”
Elizabeth frowned. “Goodness gracious, I really don’t know what to believe any more.”
A few minutes later Marcus stopped Knightengale outside the Pump Room just as the man was taking his leave. Marcus spoke. “It seems you spent a great deal of time with Millicent.”
Knightengale’s grin barely met his eyes. “Jealous?”
Marcus glowered. “We are friends, not enemies.”
Knightengale slapped a hand on Marcus’s shoulder. “Friends. But unless you are willing to ask her for her hand, I fail to see why you would be so angry. Be honest, if you had to choose a husband for Millicent, would you rather have me or Hughmont?”
Marcus gave a snort of disgust. “Neither. I think she is too young to know her mind.”
“Oh? I think not. She is quite a spectacular woman, and if you have not noticed that, you need glasses. If you wish me to explain . . .”
Marcus began to see red. He didn’t want any man thinking of Milli in that way. “Don’t say another word, or I might have to call you out.”
Knightengale laughed. “We are both crack shots. I doubt either of us would live.”
“Perhaps we shall meet at Gentleman Jackson’s again. I don’t mind going a round or two.”
Knightengale’s demeanor changed. “You are interested in Millicent then? I thought you wanted Miss Canton and were only trying to make the lady jealous.”
Marcus shrugged, not willing to lay out his cards. “Perhaps. Perhaps not.”
Knightengale’s face darkened with challenge. “Then by all means, make the little woman an offer and may the best man win.”
Later that evening, Marcus stood inside the Upper Assembly Rooms, hoping to have a word with Milli. Crystal chandeliers hung above him, allowing the candlelight to be reflected off the mirrors that were hanging on the walls. The crowd was overwhelming. The heat suffocating. He pulled at his cravat, wondering if this was the best venue to approach the little princess. She had been avoiding him all day.
To his surprise, Miss Canton walked up to him with her father by her side. They greeted each other and fell into conversation.
“I think that position is available if you want it,” General Canton said, then paused, scrutinizing Marcus’s battered face. “By Jove, I hope you won the fight?”
Marcus shrugged. “It was a draw.”
The general pursed his lips. “Well, well, my little girl tells me the two of you are getting along rather nicely.”
Marcus clasped his hands behind his back, while a part of him still searched for Milli over the crowd. “Ah, yes. I think your daughter is a diamond of the first waters, General.”
“Capital! I say, if you are willing to make her your bride, you may have a position at White Hall or the Home Office. I can promise you within the month, you may have your pick of wherever you would like to go. The Americas, India, Europe, wherever you say. My little Valerie does like to travel, don’t you dear?”
Miss Canton touched Marcus’s arms. “I would go anywhere you want, Marcus.”
Marcus looked into those green eyes and found nothing deceiving in them. She was not like Lady Madeleine at all. But he didn’t like to be pushed into marriage, or coerced.
The general’s gaze sharpened. “Ah, if you are worried about offspring, I will have you know, Valerie’s mother, rest her soul, had seven children before she fell ill. Six boys and one girl.” He elbowed Marcus. “Not bad odds, eh? Give you the heir the Clearbrooks need so badly.”
Marcus stiffened.
Miss Canton blushed. “Papa, please.”
“Well, well,” the general snapped. “What are you intentions, Lord Marcus?”
“Papa!”
“Now, Valerie, you walk over to the duchess across the way, while Marcus and I have a bit of a chat.”
Miss Canton waded through the crowd.
Marcus looked at the general, saying nothing.
The general frowned. “I have my concerns about you. I have heard you have been paying attention to Miss Millicent Shelby. I hope that is to draw the villain out and has nothing to do with your true affections.”
Marcus didn’t like the man trying to plan his life like some map in battle. However, this powerful general was directing the Shelby murder case, and Marcus didn’t want to hurt any chances of finding the villain.
“That is exactly how my brothers and Stonebridge see it. We must draw the man out and push him to show his hand.”
The general smiled, displaying his yellow teeth. “Ah, thought it was that way. Now, to my daughter. Are you interested?”
“Perhaps,” Marcus said, not willing to agree.
“I see.” He patted Marcus on the back. “You want to wait until this entire mess is cleaned up. Family man. I like that. Take care of those you love. When this is over, you don’t have to ask me again. You have my permission to marry my daughter. Papers can be drawn up later.” He chuckled and sighed in appreciation, as if everything was wrapped up nice and tight. “And after the wedding, we shall get you moving on the track to be prime minster.”
Marcus watched in relief as the general finally made his way toward a group older gentleman. What the blazes? The man was too sure of himself and his daughter. Marcus was no man to be pushed.
He strolled about the crowds, looking for Milli. He even checked the card room. It was inevitable that he finally discovered her in the tearoom with Hughmont.
He waited in the corridor, hoping to speak with her alone. Hughmont had been acting quite strangely lately, sending Marcus into high alert. Breadford had returned to London. But Valford and Bennington were still in Bath.
Marcus kept an eagle eye on Hughmont and Milli as they finally exited the room. Marcus followed behind, when suddenly Hughmont pulled Milli aside. Marcus halted in the shadows.
“Miss Millicent, I adore you.”
Milli giggled. “Lord Hughmont, you must not say such things in a public place.”
“You must call be by my Christian name. You did once before, you know.”
“John,” she said softly.
“Oh, Millicent. I have loved you forever.”
“I am quite fond of you, um, John . . .”
“Marcus! There you are.”
His blood surging with jealousy, Marcus turned at the sound of the general’s shout. Torn, Marcus finally walked toward the older man.
“Such a crowd,” the general uttered. “Never thought I would find you again. You were there one minute and gone the next. Are your brothers here? The duke? Stephen? Clayton? And where the devil is Stonebridge?”
“I could find them if it is urgent.”
“No, no, it’s enough that you are here.” The general took him down the corridor and toward the sedan chairs.
Marcus glanced over his shoulder and caught Milli’s eyes. But she turned her back on him and laughed at something Hughmont said. Did she know he had been following them?
“Would have given this to you sooner,” the general remarked in a low voice, “but immediately after our conversation, I received the missive from one of my men.” He handed the paper to Marcus. “The killer has confessed.”
Shocked, Marcus fingered the note. “You have Shelby’s murderer?”
The general nodded. “Back in London. Must have known we were closing in.”
“The devil. Who is it?”
“Headquarters doesn’t say. I believe there may be more we do not know. And more we need to know. However, at least we know the culprit is behind bars. It seems he had no idea it was poison that he had given Shelby. Regrets everything and could no longer live with himself, knowing what he had done.”
With a sigh, Marcus leaned against the wall. “Then, it isn’t any of the suitors at all. Jupiter, the man must have owed Shelby a great amount of money.”
“Seems so. You and your family may rest at ease now. I am certain we shall discover the man’s name if you can wait another day or two. Want to make sure no one else is involved. No name in the missive for security reasons, don’t you know.”
Marcus grimaced. He had been an agent for England during the war. Names were seldom put on paper because of spies. But the war was over. However, Whitehall and the Home Office seemed to carry the same level of security as before.
The general’s eyes narrowed. “On another note, choose wisely among the ladies. You are a good man, but marriage is forever. I am not asking you to love my daughter, but if you do lean that way, be a good husband.” He clapped a hand on Marcus’s shoulder. “Either way, I will consider you a good friend. However, I cannot promise you the position you want if you choose another.”
Marcus pursed his lips in thought. “Ah, you have others on your list?”
“You are my first choice, Marcus. The Clearbrooks are a good name. A good family. You would do well overseas, especially in America.”
“I see.”
“Do you? I hoped you would. Your son could hold the dukedom. Think about it. But there will be no hard feelings either way.”
Marcus nodded. He wanted the government position the general had offered, but confound it, he wanted Milli more.
He stared at the note in his hands and stuffed it into his pocket. The little princess was his, and no one was going to have her. Not Knightengale, not Hughmont, not Valford, not Bennington, and certainly not Breadford.
He smiled to himself and puffed out his chest. Besides, Milli loved him.
He walked swiftly to where Hughmont and Milli had been standing, and his smile vanished. They were gone.