Chapter Nine
The two neatly dressed gentlemen rode their horses in Hyde Park amidst the cream of Society. As they reined in their mounts, a slight chill settled in the air.
“I don’t like what happened,” the older man said. “But now that the deed is done. I say marry that girl or someone just as rich. We need the money.”
The younger of the two looked over Hyde Park, his large gloved hands patting his horse’s neck. “The Clearbrooks are quite a force. It’s not as if I can flee with the girl to Gretna Green and not have any problems. Though I have planned for that if I must. One night of traveling without a chaperone and she would be ruined. Would rather marry her and stay in England. Besides, she likes me. I vow, it will only take a bit of time, and the chit will be mine, along with that lovely inheritance."
The other man growled. “But she might not turn it over to you. Did you ever think of that?”
The younger man stiffened and spit out a curse. “There are ways to make a woman do what I want. After she is my wife, she will be my prisoner. What can she do? What can anyone do then? She will be my property at that point. I’ll have her one way or another. Stephen will have to agree.”
A phaeton rolled by, and the men tipped their hats. A few seconds passed before the older man spoke. “He may kill you. The Clearbrooks are a vengeful lot.”
“Not if it means ruining the lady’s reputation. Besides, I have her in the palm of my hand. Gretna is not my first choice.”
“I don’t like the thought of abducting her. And I didn’t like what you did with Shelby either. I do have my morals, don’t you know.”
“Morals? Ha!” The younger man swiveled in his saddle. His eyes narrowed into two icy chips. “You owed him too blasted much.” He looked around, making sure no one else could hear them. “We could not pay him back,” he said between clenched teeth. “You asked me to take care of the situation. I did. So forget it and move on. We’ve talked about this until my jaw aches!”
The older man scowled and shook his head. “But poison? A ghastly way to go. Ain’t wanting to think of taking a man’s life.”
“Oh, the devil! It’s been two years! The girl is of age. She inherited half of her Papa’s money. Don’t turn into a sniveling coward now.”
“I am not a coward. It’s just not gentlemanly to do what you did. Never thought you would kill the man.” The older man swallowed hard. “That was taking things a bit too far. And I don’t want her ruined. Marry her right.”
“You’ve been complaining to me for two years now, and I’ve had just about enough of your drivel. Shut the hell up. I’m going to see the Shelby chit later today, and devil take it, I don’t want you to interfere with my plans.”
“I agreed to you marrying the girl in a decent way. No runs to Gretna Green. But don’t you tell your father to shut up.”
“Ha. I shall tell you anything I want.” The younger man cursed again and sent his horse into a gallop, leaving his father frowning and shaking his head.
“Would you like an ice at Gunters, Miss Millicent? That is, after we pick up that book you want at the shop down the way.”
MiIli looked at Lord Hughmont and sent him her sweetest smile. Maybe she was flirting just a bit, but she wasn’t hurting anyone, was she? Women did this all the time, especially in the plays she read about. Besides, Lord Hughmont knew her ways and still liked her.
“Perhaps we can pick up the book later,” she said innocently. “I was, uh, wondering if we could make a stop at the milliner’s?
“The milliner’s?” The big man looked as if he had swallowed a bird. “If it’s the one I’m thinking about, that’s where all the ladies gather to pick out . . . well, female things and not just hats. I am not one to spend my time in there. Don’t want to be stubborn about this, but confound it, the place is full of ribbons. Not my kind of thing at all.”
Milli looked at him, a bit shocked by his comments. “But I assure you, it will only take a minute.” They continued to stroll down the street with Milli’s abigail following.
She gazed into Lord Hughmont’s blue eyes. “Please.”
Lord Hughmont blushed. “I cannot deny you, and you well know it. Those puppy eyes of yours do me in every time.” He laughed. “Very well, you little actress. Let us venture into the valley of the hats. ‘The course of true love never did run smooth.’”
Milli chuckled at his use of Shakespeare. He always seemed to quote the playwright at some time in their conversation. “You are too good. You put up with more nonsense from me than any man would. By the way, I saw your father the other day. How is he doing?”
Lord Hughmont’s face turned hard. “We are having a bit of a tiff. But nothing I cannot handle. Saw him a bit before I came for you.”
“Oh, I hope it’s nothing serious. I know how family can be sometimes.”
The young man frowned. “Ah, well, you know how father’s can be.”
Milli nodded, but said nothing. She still missed her papa.
Hughmont stopped and held her hand. “Forgive me. For a moment, I forgot about your loss. It was stupid of me.”
Milli sighed. “You are not stupid. But please, make up with your father. One never knows when it is his time to go.”
“I suppose you are right. I will try not to hold a grudge. But bonnets and lace, Miss Millicent? Zeus! A chill snakes down my spine at the very thought of taking one foot inside that place. The shop has no men’s hats whatsoever. It is purely a nest of feminine delights. Why if the gentlemen at the club saw me . . .”
She smiled, never having seen this side of the man. Oh, she knew Hughmont did not care for feminine frilliness, but in the theater group, he was quite chivalrous with the ladies.
“It isn’t as bad as all that,” she said gently. “I have this divine bonnet with a blue ribbon picked out for my sister. It’s for her birthday. And you should not feel uncomfortable. There are many gentlemen who venture into the depths of that dark abyss,” she lowered her voice, “dare I say, of dastardly bonnets and lace?”
A flicker of amusement flashed across his face. “I am no coward. You have put me in my place. I daresay, you won’t be long then?”
She shook her head, feeling a bit guilty about dragging Lord Hughmont into her womanly web. But sometimes, a female had to do what a female had to do.
And if Marcus saw them together, so much the better.
“I will only be a few minutes.” And she wasn’t quite lying about the bonnet. There was a magnificent hat she had wanted to buy for Lizzie. Her sister’s birthday was four months away, but Lord Hughmont didn’t know that.
The bell above the door jingled as they walked into the shop. Rows and rows of fabric filled the room, along with every color ribbon in the rainbow. The sweet scent of French perfume permeated the air.
Lord Hughmont looked on in horror. “Miss Millicent,” he hissed. “I find this intolerable. This place is full of everything a woman desires. And what in the blue blazes is that?” His finger shook toward the rows and rows of colorful fabric lining the aisles.
Milli grinned. “Bolts of cloth. I guarantee, they won’t jump up and bite you.”
Lord Hughmont reddened. “Never been in a place like this. Don’t have a sister. And my mother’s dead.” He looked left and right, as if hoping no gentleman would see him. “Feels too . . . frilly. I’d rather be riding or boxing at Gentlemen Jackson’s. Or hunting. Jupiter, anything but this.”
“John,” she said, using his first name to calm him down. “There is nothing to fear. Think of it as an adventure in research. We can look for fabric for our Christmas play.”
“Absolutely not,” he said, his voice going hoarse. “I may like acting, but by heaven, this is where I draw the line. No ribbons, no frillies,” he glanced at the flowers adorning the hats and frowned, “and no flowers!”
Milli took his arm. Guilt washed over her in waves when she felt him shake. The man obviously hated the very thought of shopping in a woman’s domain. Any minute she thought he might break out into hives. This was a bad idea all around. “We can leave. Forgive me, I only thought—”
“I like this one! No, I think I like this one!”
Milli turned her head at the sound of a familiar squeal of delight. Gabby was at the end of the shop, jumping up and down. She held a blue hat with silver ribbons and was placing it on Marcus’s head. He was sitting in a wing chair and looked rather worn out.
“I daresay, Miss Millicent, too many ladies in here. They are starting to stare.” Hughmont pulled at his cravat, as if he were having trouble breathing. “Do you mind if I wait outside?”
Milli frowned. The whole purpose of this outing was to make Marcus jealous. But she wasn’t heartless. She could not subject Lord Hughmont to his worst nightmare. Who would have thought? The man adored acting at their monthly meetings. He adored women too. Not only that, he boxed. He fenced. He rode. He was a gentleman of sports. The very idea that he was afraid of being immersed in a sea of ribbons confused her. Many men came in here with females on their arm.
“Milli! There’s Milli!”
Milli’s face lit with pleasure when Gabby called her name.
Beside her, Lord Hughmont mumbled. “Ain’t my thing to be inside a shop like this. Rather be playing cards at White’s.”
Milli tapped his hand like a mother comforting a child. “I see Gabby. Do you mind if I spend a few minutes with her? I promise, after that, we can buy that book at the shop down the street.”
His blue eyes narrowed. “It’s not as if we were man and wife, Miss Millicent. I do have a say in how I go about.”
Milli flinched, a bit shocked at the way his personality changed so easily. “If you’d rather wait outside, I completely understand. I can see this place makes you uncomfortable. I won’t have you shaking in your boots because I dragged you in here under false pretenses.”
His eyes traveled over the group of ladies watching their exchange. He gave a tug to the bottom of his waistcoat and stood tall. His eyes suddenly caught sight of Lord Marcus and their gazes locked. Hughmont’s face hardened. “I will allow five minutes, Miss Millicent. And only five minutes.”
Milli let out the breath she had been holding. “Thank you.”
Goodness, she thought. Sometimes men could be rather bothersome.
She glanced toward the door where her abigail was waiting and nodded to her, then walked toward Gabby and Marcus. She was surprised when Lord Hughmont decided to follow her instead of waiting outside.
“Good afternoon,” she said with a smile. Marcus stood, greeting her with a curt hello. Gabby gave her a hug, and the gentleman exchanged a terse greeting.
“Uncle Marcus is going to let me have the blue and the pink one!” Gabby went on. “I decided not to get the purple one because it made me look too purple. But I’m not sure . . . hmmm, what do you think?”
Milli laughed, feeling Marcus’s eyes upon her. “I think they are all quite adorable.”
Lord Hughmont pulled out his pocket watch, then glanced at Milli. Her eyes widened. He was timing her! Of all things!
“Do you want to try on a bonnet?” Gabby said, pulling at her hand. “They have lots of pretty ones. I like the one with the big ribbons and all the white lace. And the flowers are very pretty too.”
Milli heard Lord Hughmont groan.
She chewed her bottom lip, instantly regretting her decision to come here. The tension between the Marcus and Hughmont was as taut as a violin bow ready to snap.
She swallowed at the contempt in Marcus’s pale eyes. This was not the exact feeling she had wanted to invoke. She was hoping he would pay attention to her in a good way.
“Which ones do you like?” Gabby asked impatiently.
Milli shifted a soft gaze to Gabby. “Well, I’ve . . . I’ve come to buy a, uh, hat for Lizzie.”
But from the corner of her eye, Milli watched as Lord Hughmont regarded Marcus with a belligerent stare. The two men studied each other as if they were both recalling last night. Of course, Marcus probably thought the man had kissed her too. She had said as much, had she not?
Her stomach started to churn. Goodness, she didn’t know what she wanted anymore. She was making such a mess out of everything. Even after all the unpleasant words Marcus had said to her, she still wanted him to want her. But she certainly didn’t wish Lord Hughmont hurt.
“The bonnet is for her sister’s birthday,” Lord Hughmont replied, lifting a challenging brow Marcus’s way.
Marcus’s silver eyes gleamed with mischief as he glanced at Milli. “Elizabeth’s birthday is four months away. Or do you have another sister I did not know about?”
“I do not,” she snapped, looking over the bonnets with Gabby.
For a minute or two there was complete silence from the men. Milli felt their gazes burning into her backside as she fingered through the different colors on the hat stand. Gabby seemed to be satisfied watching her.
She hadn’t thought this through at all. It was the story of her life.
She shrugged and turned to the men, giving them a bland smile. “I thought perhaps I might find the bonnet Lizzie wanted. But it doesn’t look like it is here anymore.”
Lord Hughmont clasped her arm in a possessive manner. “Very well then. It’s time we leave. Your five minutes are up, Milli.” He nodded to Lord Marcus whose lips had compressed into a hard line.
Milli stared at the strong arm attached to hers. Her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped. She was surprised by Lord Hughmont’s hold on her and also surprised by his use of her name.
It took about two seconds for her to gather herself. Defiance welled inside her chest. She gave Lord Hughmont a bold stare. The man might try his high-handedness on other females, but not her.
“I am not finished,” she stated curtly. “I thought to buy another bonnet for myself.”
Milli tugged, but Lord Hughmont’s clasp was firm. Gabby stared on in mute horror.
“I suggest you take your hand off the lady’s arm.” The warning in Marcus’s words sent a cold chill through Milli.
Lord Hughmont shot Marcus a challenging glare. “The lady is here of her own free will, Clearbrook. This is not the duke’s home anymore.”
Gabby’s eyes widened, and she hid behind Marcus’s muscular legs. “Are you going to call him out, Uncle Marcus? He’s being mean.” The little girl spoke before Milli even had a chance.
Marcus dropped his gaze to Gabby and his face softened “No, poppet, I am not going to call him out.” His words were gentle and calming, making Milli want to bop Lord Hughmont in the nose for scaring the child.
Gabby frowned. “Oh.”
For once, Milli was at a lost for words. She jerked from Lord Hughmont’s grip and grabbed a bonnet to her left, some horrid pink concoction. “I’ll take this.” She walked to the counter and handed it to the shop girl, leaving the men staring at one another.
Gabby trailed along after her. “I think Uncle Marcus is really mad,” the girl said, tugging on Milli’s skirt. “That is how my papa talks before he starts yelling.”
Milli tried to smile as the shop girl placed the bonnet in a round hatbox. She paid the lady and waited while a string was tied around her purchase. “Do you have your hats, Gabby?”
The girl’s eyes were round with concern. “I left them back there, but I think Lord Hughpont is mad too. I don’t like him. I think I should have Nigel chase him around the park. That will scare him.”
Hughpont? Milli blinked and took hold of Gabby’s hand. She didn’t know what she wanted to happen, but she did know she didn’t want Marcus mad at her again. She loved him, for goodness sakes. She was a bowl full of jelly where he was concerned.
“Gentlemen are not comfortable in girl places, Gabby dear. Sometimes they can be rather difficult when it comes to shopping. They get bored very easily, and their anger may get the best of them.”
Gabby rubbed her nose and looked back at the men. “Oh.”
Milli noticed that the men were still glaring at each other. Her heart raced as she grabbed her hatbox. “Do you want to bring your hats over here?”
Gabby shifted her wary gaze back to Milli and let out a tired sigh. “I don’t know which one to pick. It’s so comp...compicated.”
Milli chuckled. “You can always come back with your mama."
“No, Mama won’t let me buy two. Only Uncle Marcus will get two hats for me.”
“Then why don’t you let Uncle Marcus buy the two you picked out?
Gabby put a finger to her dimpled chin. “Hmmm, I think I will take the pink one and the blue one.”
“Well, then, let’s tell Uncle Marcus what you finally decided.”
Gabby curled her finger, motioning Milli to come down to her level.
“Uncle Marcus looks madder than Papa did when some man kissed Mama’s hand the other day when we were coming out of church.”
Milli’s cheeks turned warm as she took in Marcus’s rock solid stance. The man appeared more mad then jealous. But it wasn’t as if Lord Hughmont had hurt her. Yet he had been possessive, and she didn’t like that at all. She would have to tell the younger man a thing or two, but not in front of Gabby . . . or Marcus.
She put on her best smile and walked toward the men. Madame had made her way toward Marcus too. It seemed the owner had already softened the situation because Marcus was having Gabby’s bonnets wrapped up and sent to the Elbourne townhouse.
Marcus knelt down to talk to Gabby. “Why don’t you wait with Milli’s maid? She’s by the door. You can tell her all about your pretty hats.”
“Oh,” Gabby exclaimed said, clapping her hands. “Maybe she will help me with my hair when I get back! We can play dress up. Would you like to play too?”
Marcus sighed, tapping her nose. “Not today, poppet.”
As Gabby made her way toward the door, Marcus stood and turned to Milli, snatching the box out of her hands. “Are you ready to go?”
Milli didn’t like the furious look in his eyes. “I, um . . .” She turned toward Lord Hughmont. “Are you ready?”
Hughmont looked flustered. “Forgive me, Miss Millicent. I was rather forceful a few minutes ago. Don’t like shops, you know. They bother me. I do silly things. If I upset you or Gabrielle, I am sorry.”
Milli’s laugh was forced. “I should have had you wait outside.”
Marcus stepped between the two. “We’ll be seeing you, Hughmont. I think you’ve done enough damage for the day, don’t you think?” His voice held an icy edge that made Milli’s eyes widened in shock.
“Marcus—” The warning in his piercing gaze making her step back a bit.
“You will be returning with me,” Marcus commanded, lifting a commanding brow. “Is that clear?”
She detected the disapproval on Lord Hughmont’s face and frowned. “I don’t think—”
Hughmont cleared his throat. “The lady prefers my company. “
Marcus swung a menacing glare toward the younger man. “You, sir, are lucky I did not call you out. For if I did, you would be dead by noon tomorrow.”
The words were as cold as steel, sending another wave of guilt through Milli. She should never have brought Lord Hughmont in here. It was all her fault.
Hughmont puffed out his chest like a peacock spreading its feathers. “Duels are illegal, but if you prefer—”
“Now, listen here.” Milli came between them.
But she clamped her mouth shut the second she took in Marcus’s furious expression. Her knees felt a bit wobbly. He didn’t look like a man who was ready to listen to reason.
“For goodness sakes, he didn’t hurt me,” she said in a calm manner, almost smiling. Anything to reduce the man’s anger, she thought wildly.
But Marcus’s silver eyes took on a dangerous glint. “Get in my carriage. It’s waiting outside. Take Gabby with you.”
Milli’s confidence dwindled. She could see he was not going to back down. She looked at Lord Hughmont and gave him an apologetic smile. Yet her lips were trembling with remorse. “I’m sorry we won’t be able to make it to the book shop.”
Lord Hughmont’s mouth pinched. “I will visit you with book in hand tomorrow.” And with those last words, he glared at Marcus and marched out of the shop.
Milli turned to Marcus, her heart thumping in her ears. “I have never been so embarrassed in my entire life. He was only helping me pick out a bonnet for Lizzie. And for your information, I made him come in here. Just so you know, it was not his idea.”
“Obviously. But if you were trying to make me jealous with that peagoose, you failed.”
She reddened. “Ha, jealous? Why would I want to make you jealous?”
He leaned toward her, making her squirm. “Because you think you love me, that’s why?”
“Y-you must be insane.”
“Insane or not, you need someone to watch over you, and it’s not going to be Lord Hughmont. If that man lays a finger on you again—”
“Who made you my guardian? Did you inform Stephen of the change?”
“Stephen would agree with me. You need a husband, and the sooner the better. Get your list of appropriate suitors. Stephen and I will go over it next week. But you can deuced well keep Hughmont off the list!”
“List?” she snapped in a low voice, narrowing her eyes, hoping no one was listening. “That’s barbaric.”
Marcus shrugged. “We did it with Emily. We can do the same with you.”
“You are a barbarian,” she hissed, taking care that no one was listening to their conversation.
Fury smoldered in her blood at the very thought of a list of suitors for her hand. She strode toward the door, telling her maid to take Gabby to Marcus’s carriage. Outside, she took a deep breath, feeling the cool wind nipping at her warm cheeks.
She stood on the walk, trying to gather her swirling emotions. The door behind her jingled. She was sure it was Marcus as his heels clapped hard against the walk. Not looking back, she lifted her chin and strode toward his carriage.
She stepped inside the vehicle and sat beside Gabby and the maid. Blood rushed to her head in an embarrassing heat. How dare he treat her so shabbily.
She wished she could ride home to Lizzie’s townhouse, avoiding Marcus altogether. But Jane needed her.
“Lord Marcus, how nice to see you.”
Milli peeked out the carriage to see Marcus’s demeanor instantly change at the sound of the female voice. His eyes softened as he flashed a brilliant smile toward the lady. “Miss Canton, you have made my day brighter by your appearance.”
When he kissed the lady’s gloved hand, Milli felt her heart crack.
The beautiful lady, with her blond hair and ruby lips, stood beside the general.
“Who is she?” Gabby asked in awe. “A princess?”
Milli regarded the tall, elegant lady with a shrug. “Just some lady.”
Marcus and the general exchanged a few words. Miss Canton stood there smiling like a complete idiot, Milli thought. A minute later Marcus entered the carriage, sitting across from them.
As the vehicle rolled along the cobblestone streets, Gabby looked at her uncle. “That lady was prettier than anyone I know. Except my mama.”
Milli’s throat began to close up. She felt small and insignificant next to Miss Canton. Why should Marcus look at her when he had a Venus in his midst?
Hot tears sprang to her eyes. She dropped her gaze to the carriage floor as the vehicle rumbled down the street.
She knew her plain gray eyes were too wide to be beautiful. Her face was too elflike to be elegant. Her figure was too childlike to be attractive. And her height was too short to be alluring. She looked like a rat next to the general’s daughter.
“Yes,” Marcus said to Gabby, his voice warm, “she is rather pretty, is she not?”
“If you like that sort of thing,” Milli mumbled. The man’s nearness was more disturbing than she wanted to admit.
Marcus bent toward her. “What did you say?”
Milli realized Gabby was listening, and she lifted her face, staring hard at Marcus. “I said you if like that sort of ding.”
“Ding?” Marcus asked confused.
“Yes,” Milli said with a brittle smile. “Ding. As in ding dong dumb!”
Gabby laughed. “Is that a new song?”
Milli arched a delicate brow. “A new song indeed.”