“I think I recall hearing something about her not being in Society too much anymore, as she’s taken her brother’s passing quite hard.”
“Call if you’d like, then, but do be discreet—especially if Lord Willard is present.”
“He won’t be,” she replied confidently. “I distinctly remember someone saying Willard was sure to have all the details about what happened last night, as he was at the theater. Then someone else answered back that Willard could not be consulted because he had left London this morning.”
“Willard? Left town?” Neville frowned. “Thatisodd.”
“Not if he wanted to avoid his father’s censure.”
“Possible…”
“You know,” his mother chided, “you could have saved me a lot of trouble if you’d just told me the whole story last night.”
“Ah, but last night, I only knew half a story. I didn’t know Millicent would say yes.”
“Oh, Ihopeyou are doing the right thing.”
“I am.” He was certain. “Come with me to Harbury House, meet her, and see for yourself.”
“But the knocker’s been removed. They are not taking visitors.”
“Clearly, they must let me back in, else I’ll miss my own wedding. We’ll be discreet. I will take you in through the back gate.”
“Oh!” She smiled fondly. “I haven’t gone in that way since I was a little girl. But are you sure I won’t be in the way?”
“In the way?”
She raised her brows. “I have often felt as if I was.”
“I will endeavor to change that,” he said sincerely. “I’d like to have you as one of my witnesses.”
“Thank you, dearest. Is a half hour sufficient?”
“The sooner the better,” he replied.
And for several reasons he most certainly did not want to discuss with his mother.
*
“Ouch!” Millie turnedaway from the mirror. She glared at Cassie. “Haven’t I enough wedding day worries without you harrying me with hairpins?”
“I’m sorry.” Cassie’s half-smile was bemused. “You’d think I’d be forgiven for using a touch too much zest to jam in your pins. My husbandislanguishing at death’s door, after all. And, I might add, all onyourbehalf.”
“And he’s having a great deal of fun at playacting illness, too.”
“Isn’t he just?” Cassie glanced heavenward. “But heisstuck in his bedchamber for the next few days. His valet is already suffering from the greatest ennui. Marsden had been thrilled to be back in London where he could let his talents shine.”
Millie turned sheepish. “I am aware I’ve turned your whole household upside-down. And I don’tmeanto sound ungrateful. I am terribly nervous. Or excited. I’m not sure which.”
“I know you are, and I know you don’t,” Cassie replied. “Now stand still and let me make you pretty for your handsome bridegroom.”
“Relieve me of my scalp, more like.”
Did Cassie find Neville handsome, too? How many other women did?
Oh, bother.
How could she possiblystand still? She was about to getmarried. And toNeville.