And if Millie agreed to become his wife, he wasn’t just taking on her concerns; she would be taking on his. Why had he not seen the parallel before?
He made his decision. He would tell her everything. “Do you remember meeting my brother John at Harbury’s wedding?”
“Yes,” she replied carefully. “He’s a young man, right? A late child.”
Neville nodded. “The same age as Nettie.”
“I remember thinking he was gallant.” Millie bit her lip, remembering. “Gallant and kind.”
Neville smiled wryly. “You can’t begin to know how deeply he embodies both of those qualities.” His smile disappeared. “Qualities Willard used to lure him into a trap. Per my instruction, he’s been a fugitive ever since.”
“Neville! How horrible!” She took a step closer. “When did this happen?”
“Last summer.” He studied her face. He needed to be truthful, but he did not need to burden her with the knowledge he’d been chasing her to Ravenswood when John fell into trouble. “I’ve kept John hidden away at my uncle’s vicarage while I sought to clear his name.”
“All this time?” She looked bewildered.
“All this time,” he confirmed. “It’s why I wasn’t around during the little season.”
“I thought you were avoiding me.” Her shoulders dropped. “I had no idea you were suffering.”
“I didn’twantyou to know.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I didn’t want anyone to know.”Pride.“Last night, I was at the theater so a witness—the woman you saw—could identify Willard. And I just found out that my mother located the young woman who made false accusations against John at Willard’s behest.”
“I’m glad you were there,” she said.
Her gentle admission reignited hope.
Then, she added, “You enlisted your mother to help?”
Her surprise indicated how well she knew him.
“I wish I had,” he answered wryly. “But no, that was John’s doing, not mine.”
“Ah.”
“Ah,” he repeated, with a self-depreciating smile. “For what it’s worth, I now see the error of my ways.”
“Well,” she said in a soothing tone, “accepting helpishard. Tonight has been excruciating for me. So many people lying,strategizing, organizing quite literally behind the scenes.” She shook her head. “And all to save me from myself.”
“I would hate to have so many interfere with my life,” he offered.
“Thank you.” She sighed deeply. “And I must admit that, without your help tonight, I don’t know where I’d be.”
“Without my stride across Almack’s, Willard may not have made you his target.”
“Even if that’s so, I went along with his suggestions, even when I knew they were wrong.” She studied his face. “Have you been feeling guilty, too?”
He nodded.
“What a fine pair we are.” Her gaze was fixed wistfully on the window. “But Willard is…something truly disturbing.”
“Yes,” he agreed. And Millie didn’t yet know the worst—that there were other women whose lives he ruined. Several, if Mrs. Cartwright was to be believed.
“Emily said Willard has always acted perfectly polite in public before now. Given his behavior tonight, I can only conclude he must have gone mad.”
“I’ve come to the same conclusion. He’s acting heedlessly. And while he’s always been meanspirited, even cruel, he’s never been reckless.”
“I’m afraid, Neville.” Absently, she rubbed her forehead. “And, tired as I am, I don’t think I can sleep. Not knowing he’s out there, driven to an extreme end.”