Page 8 of A Necessary Wife

Milo nodded.

He and Gillian were not as close as his sisters were to her. That was not to say he disapproved or approved of her. It wasn’t his place to make that judgment. She made his father happy. She’d caused no scandal so far and was seemingly content to spend her days wherever Papa wanted her to be, which was always with him.

He watched her creep toward her husband and peer at his face, a soft smile playing on her lips. Milo winced at how obvious her affection was. How true. He’d never have that in his marriage.

“He’s out cold,” she whispered.

“I’m not asleep,” Father protested, head rising. “I’m merely resting until the next bout of wailing starts.”

Father caught hold of his wife’s hand and pulled her down to sit in his lap. The pair cuddled each other, and Papa kissed her brow. “You were supposed to be resting, my dear,” he complained.

“I heard voices and thought you were having trouble with Charlie again, or one of the guests had come up to bother you.”

“Charles has his big brother wrapped around his finger instead, as you can see,” he said.

Milo noticed Charlie had settled into sleep and patted himself on the back. “It is the other way round, I would say.”

Since Charles was asleep at last, Milo moved toward his father’s large bed, placed some pillows around the edges, and slowly and gently lay his brother down. The boy squirmed a little, and Milo held his breath a moment. But he did subside, and Milo remained close until he was properly under.

Eventually, he backed away and went to sit opposite his papa and Gillian.

“You need help,” he told them. “Can you not hire a decent nursemaid to take care of him for you?”

“You know I disapprove of simply handing off children to servants,” Papa said sternly.

Milo winced and glanced at Gillian. She did not say she agreed with her husband, but she did not dispute the duke’s decision, either. Milo wondered if that was because Gillian was a new mother and anxious to never let her only child out of her sight.

She had taken care of Jessica as a governess just for the one year before Jessica made her come out, but it was obvious she needed someone else to support her—and the duke—now at this challenging time of Charlie’s life.

Milo would probably meddle, but not right this instant. He would wait a few days to speak his mind, and perhaps Father would relent and allow Gillian more help.

He looked at them together, so obviously in love, so obviously overwhelmed by parenthood, and winced. It may not be the best time to introduce further change into their lives…but he had no choice. “I have some important news to share.”

“Oh? Have you finally decided to move home to Stapleton to stay?” Papa teased. “We can announce it tonight at dinner if you like.”

Milo shook his head quickly. “No, Papa. I enjoy my independence and having an estate of my own.”

“But you’re seldom there.” Papa sighed. “You’ll be leaving your children here again, I suppose?”

“No. We’re all going home this time.”

Father appeared crestfallen.

“Papa, you do not need me constantly underfoot.”

“This estate is your inheritance,” Father complained. “You should be involved in what happens here.”

“And I will be, but not now,” he promised. “The distant future is not the subject I want to discuss with you right now.”

Father blinked. “Perhaps Phillipa can convince you to stay.”

Milo groaned. “Not a chance.”

“Why not marry her at last?” Father raised a brow. “Given your long acquaintance, I hoped this time you might finally get around to asking for her hand in marriage. She is in a word, perfect for you.”

Milo gaped, appalled by his father’s attempt at meddling. But he was far too late. “Father—I am a married man. Married this morning, in fact.”

Father shifted the duchess into her own seat and burst to his feet. “The hell you are!”