Page 42 of Engaging Sir Isaac

Lord Neil smirked and went back to the grand front door. He disappeared inside, likely to search out the missing guests.

Isaac shifted beside his vehicle, a groom standing nearby while the driver remained on top of the box. Anticipating Millie’s pleasure at seeing him, Isaac checked his cravat and the tilt of his hat. Then he caught a look of amusement upon his groom’s face. Isaac stopped fidgeting and adopted his most soldierly stance instead.

When the door to the house opened again, Isaac turned his full attention toward it, his heart inexplicably picking up speed. First Miss Ashford, a neighbor rather than a house party guest, emerged. She bounced down the steps cheerily, but Isaac’s eyes immediately went back to the open door.

Millie emerged, closed parasol in one hand, a fetching bonnet decked in green feathers atop her copper curls, matching the green of her shawl. Despite his promise to act merely as a friend, to do no more than keep her company, Isaac took a step toward her. He could feel the smile upon his face growing.

She came down the steps at a quick pace, coming even with Miss Ashford at the instant the other young lady made her curtsy to Isaac.

“Good afternoon, Miss Ashford. Miss Wedgewood.” He bowed to them in turn, then met Millie’s gaze. She shared with him a much less radiant smile, her face somewhat pale.

His enthusiasm waned, replaced by immediate concern. Was something amiss?

The door shut and Lord Neil came to the carriage. “That is everyone. We had better be going.”

Why Lord Neil arranged to ride in Isaac’s coach, he did not know, but he handed both ladies in and allowed Lord Neil to go up before him, too.

Once all four were settled, the door shut and the carriage started forward. The men sat on the rear-facing seat; the ladies adjusted their skirts and tilted their bonnets to allow for more comfortable positions. They had nearly a two hours’ ride to get to Orford, time Isaac intended to spend getting to know Millie better. Even with Lord Neil in the same carriage.

* * *

Millie had waited until the entry had cleared of all the guests before descending to the ground floor. The more she avoided contact with Lord Carning, the happier she would be. Sarah had given Millie another long, sharp needle to conceal in her bonnet before disappearing to join the servants in the wagons going to Orford. Though the servants attending were mostly meant to be those charged with laying out a picnic, a few of the ladies maids were going to help mistresses with wardrobe or toilette needs.

Having an ally in the form of her maid alleviated a fraction of Millie’s anxiety.

When she saw Sir Isaac waiting at his carriage, that nearly removed all her worry. Sir Isaac might be depended upon in an emergency. Lord Neil had proved pleasant company thus far, and Millie had met Miss Ashford on the night of the bonfire. At least the journey to Orford would prove pleasant.

The entirety of her plan included nothing more than wandering around old ruins and a quaint little town with Mr. Weston. She needed to get to know him if she wished to expose a weakness in his character.

As much as she looked forward to the carriage ride with Sir Isaac, having him about in Orford could make things difficult. Yet she doubted he would spend the afternoon in her company. As kindly as he treated her of late, she would never presume to take all his attention. He would know the titled guests and his local neighbors better. They would likely be his focus.

The carriage turned into the main road, and everyone exchanged pleasantries. Sir Isaac kept his eyes upon hers with the slightest upturn of his lips promising a smile to come, if she but said the right words.

“I am pleased you decided to come with the party today, Sir Isaac,” she said. “I understand we have a lovely day ahead of us. The picnic at the ruins, and a trip to the lighthouse. I have never seen a lighthouse up close.”

Sir Isaac relaxed into his seat. “I would not miss the opportunity to enjoy a day in Orford. It is a charming village. Are all the guests attending today?”

“Yes, everyone decided to attend. Except for His Lordship, the marquess.” Millie’s eyes darted to Lord Neil, who leaned an elbow against the windowpane.

His chin was in his palm and he had put on another elegant, bored expression. “Oh, Father never troubles himself with any of the excursions.”

Miss Ashford nodded with sympathy. “My papa tends to avoid stirring out of doors this time of year. But his lordship has an additional reason, considering he only returned home from London this very morning. I cannot say I would be eager to ride in a carriage again after such a long journey.”

Lord Neil shrugged and directed his gaze out the window.

“One does grow weary of the road from London,” Millie said brightly. Lord Neil had no wish to discuss his father’s reasons for remaining home, and she did not mind turning the conversation for his sake. She directed her next words to the other woman in the carriage. “Were you in London for the Season, Miss Ashford?”

The young woman brightened. “Only for a short time. We stayed with my uncle. He is in the House of Commons, you know.” She raised her chin at that pronouncement, then launched into a list of all the things she had experienced during her stay in London. Millie listened, somewhat helplessly, as Miss Ashford delighted in activities and sights that were a part of Millie’s regular day as a near-permanent resident of the city.

She caught Sir Isaac hiding his amusement behind his fist. His eyes sparkled when her gaze met his. Apparently, Miss Ashford’s enthusiasm for conversation did not come as a surprise to him. The young woman did not even appear to mind the fact that Lord Neil ignored the entire conversation.

When Miss Ashford finally paused for breath, Sir Isaac hastily spoke. “I believe I should like to visit London next winter. I am not usually fond of Town, but I understand there will be important votes coming in regard to aiding those who returned from war wounded.”

Millie picked up on that topic before Miss Ashford’s puzzled frown turned into more chatter. “You are uniquely placed to help influence the politics of such discussions.”

Sir Isaac blinked at her. “I cannot see how. I am not in either house, myself, but I do hope to prove a support to my brother-in-law.” He sounded as though he did not even consider the good he might do. Perhaps he meant to be modest.

“Do you not think you could meet with others who make those decisions? As a baronet, and with your connection to Lord Inglewood, you would certainly receive invitations aplenty into the homes of representatives from both Houses.” She gestured to his left sleeve. “You are in a unique position as one who understands a man who has experienced a personal loss in defense of King and Country. Sharing your experiences may well influence many to ponder the subject a little longer.”