Page 10

Her expression shifted, lips pursing and nostrils flaring as she closed her door with a thud. Wesley wasn’t sure why he insisted on using her full given name, except that he enjoyed her reaction each time he used it. Perhaps that was the older brother figure in him shining forth.

“I’ll have you know the note is from someone who admires me.” She put her pert little nose in the air and swept past him.

Admirer? A man? Wesley blinked, then hurried to catch up to her. His long strides made quick work of it. “What do you mean by that?”

“Precisely what I said.”

“Then you have a beau?”

“Not exactly.”

“You are speaking in riddles, Mildred.”

“Or am I simply choosing not to take you into my confidence?”

“If men are visiting your room⁠—”

She stopped suddenly at the top of the stairs, rounding on him and forcing his steps to cease. His words caught in his throat at the look in her eyes.

Her dark eyebrow arched up. “Because a gentleman in my room will surely have no good intentions whatsoever?”

Wesley wanted to gently move her eyebrow back into its rightful place, but he clenched his hand at his side instead, holding her gaze. “It is a different situation entirely when I am entering the room at your side and you are in full possession of my intentions.”

“So a gentleman may be in my bedchamber with good intentions, so long as I am beside them?”

“You are twisting my words.”

“Actually, I think I am only repeating them.”

Wesley struggled to keep his composure. He was frustrated in a unique way that led him to wishing he could walk away from the woman while also wishing he could take her by the arms and infuse sense into her. She was far too indifferent about a matter that could very well be dangerous to her person, if not her reputation.

If he asked her to show him the note, would she do it? If he asked who had written it, would she tell him?

“Shall we join my sister and brother-in-law?” Millie asked.

Wesley clenched his teeth and gave a curt nod, putting out his arm to escort her down the stairs.

Millie looked at his offering, momentarily stunned into silence. It was not strange for him to present her with an act of chivalry. Good gracious, one would believe he had never before offered his arm to her.

He had…hadn’t he?

Upon recollection, Wesley could not think of a single time he had been required to offer his arm to Millie.

She curled her hand around his elbow and they began down the stairs, both of them silent. She lifted the hem of her gown and pelisse so as not to trip, dropping them the moment they reached the ground floor.

“The note is harmless,” she said, removing her hand from his arm. “It is someone claiming an interest in me, that is all. It is a promising start, Wesley. Nothing to be concerned about.”

He nodded, but he heartily disagreed. “Who is the fortunate gentleman?”

“I do not know.” She spoke proudly, shoulders back and stubbornness flaring. “He did not sign his name.”

Gads, it was worse than he thought. A man stating an interest in Millie and feeling the best way to tell her was through a secret note? That seemed like something to be concerned about. The coward’s way.

But she was not his charge, and he would do well to put her from his mind. He was here to watch over his sister, and he could not allow any distractions to keep him from his purpose. Nell currently hunted her own decorating supplies with a perfectly respectable group, but when they were finished, he would need to keep his attention directed properly.

“Ready to find some greenery?” Helena asked brightly when they reached the entryway.

“Yes,” Millie and Wesley said in unison.