Page 29
“It is strikingly accurate. Millie did a fine job.”
Wesley lowered his arm and cleared his throat. “She was not the artist, actually.”
“No?” Charles moved around the table, putting the balls in their proper place. “Shall I guess whom you partnered for the activity?”
“I am not sure I like this game,” Wesley muttered.
Charles barked a laugh. “Miss Stroud?”
Wesley put the silhouette on the decorative table against the wall. “Yes.”
“I assumed it was one of the two. They seem to be vying for your attention.”
Wesley nearly tripped on his way back to the billiards table. “Why do you say that?”
“Is it not true?” Charles lifted his attention from his cue, his brown hair shining in the firelight. “Helena had mentioned that Millie used to…”
“She used to what, exactly?”
“Now I am not certain I should say anything.”
“You cannot stop now.”
Charles rubbed the back of his neck. “I would not wish to betray any confidences.”
“You cannot believe there is anything those women have kept from me in the last decade, Charles.”
“This might have originated far before the last ten years.”
“All the more reason to feel it is a safe topic.”
Charles shook his head, seemingly unsure. “Helena has told me Millie carried a tendré for you for years. I do not know anything of her recent feelings, but when Helena noticed both of you teasing one another while we gathered greenery to decorate, she wondered if Millie’s feelings were perhaps returned.”
Wesley had nothing to say. His mind had been consumed by Millie for the last few days, but that was not typical for him. His life revolved around his estate and responsibilities. The friend of his younger sister was merely someone known well to his family, a comfortable person to spend time with.
She used to watch him with moon-filled eyes in her youth, but he had assumed it was only due to her youth and him being present often. Charles was possibly misinformed. Or Millie carried an affection for him.
The very idea was exhilarating.
Wesley could not deny that his feelings had undergone a shift, but to what extent, he still did not fully understand. Did he find himself thinking of her constantly? Yes. Did he like watching Mr. Kendrick trifle with her feelings? Of course not. But that did not mean he cared for her beyond friendship.
“She is one of the only people in this house I may count as a true friend. The remaining guests consist chiefly of mere acquaintances. I might have fallen in with what is comfortable to me, and I believe Millie has done the same.” When Charles did not look convinced, Wesley continued. “Are you aware she is closely analyzing each man she interacts with to determine whether they would make a good partner?”
“No.” Charles smiled indulgently. “But I am gladdened to hear she is looking for a suitor. Her sister will be happy to have something favorable to report to their mother.”
Wesley lined up his cue stick and took a shot, but nothing went where he wanted it to. He was too restless, too filled with humming energy. At least he had not revealed the secret notes, or those would surely reach Millie’s mother as well, and she certainly would not want that.
“For what it’s worth, Wesley, I would support a union between you and my sister-in-law.”
Wesley barked a laugh. “She is too young for me.”
“You cannot be above thirty.”
“Nine-and-twenty.”
“What is seven years? Mr. Kendrick has made his interest known, and he is six years your senior, at least.”
Wesley’s arm froze at his side, his hand gripping the smooth wood of the stick. That had been obvious during the silhouette activity, but Charles had not been present to see Mr. Kendrick fawn over Millie. How did he know of Mr. Kendrick’s interest? “What do you mean?”
