The Earl's Encounter (Regency Rendezvous Book 7) Read online

  Resigned, Joseph wrapped his fingers around Milly’s arm. “Come along, Miss Higglesworth, I shall escort you.”

  The baron had disappeared inside the house, leaving Milly and Joseph to follow.

  “I cannot sit down with the family!” Milly stated, horrified. “It would be improper to do so.”

  “And yet you will, as the master of the household has stated he wishes it.”

  She tried to shake his hand free, but Joseph held on.

  “Oh dear, I do believe someone has let the cows out.”

  “Highly unlikely, and don’t say I didn’t try and warn you.” Joseph took her elbow and led her to the steps. “The Wimplestow family is unusual,” he added.

  “Good Lord, is that a piglet?”

  “Two of them, I think.” Joseph could see two heads wallowing in a puddle of mud. “Come along.” He moved her forward when she stopped. “Watch where you walk, one never knows what is underfoot.”

  “The noise... ah, it is quite something, Lord Ellsworth.”

  What it was, was a cacophony of animal sounds all blending to create bedlam on the eardrums.

  “I tried to warn you,” he said again.

  Milly’s eyes were shooting everywhere, and the arm beneath his fingers had gone rigid.

  “It’s... ah, charming,” she managed.

  “No it’s not.”

  Joseph didn’t think himself a snob. Yes, he was an earl, and yes he lived a pampered lifestyle, but that wasn’t to say he didn’t walk his land, spend time with his horses, and visit his stock. He’d waded into rivers to rescue animals and unblock waterways when no one else was there, but he could say with a certainty that the Wimplestow clan could turn his stomach with very little effort on their part. They were loud, boisterous, and appeared for the most to be mannerless.

  “My lord, what an honor to see you here at Wimplestow House.”

  They had arrived inside the house.

  Joseph had met the Wimplestows’ butler, because he often doubled as their driver, which while odd, was not when you related it to the family he served.

  Big, solid, with not a hair on his head, he looked more like a bare-knuckle fighter than a butler, and just added to the air of odd that encompassed this household.

  “Good morning. This is Miss Higglesworth,” Joseph said, as the baron appeared to have vanished. “She is the new governess to Miss Wimplestow.”

  The butler’s face creased in a wide smile, which swallowed up his eyes. “It’s wonderful to have you here, Miss Higglesworth. Please, both of you, follow me.”

  “Should I not go to my room?”

  “You’re not going anywhere.” Joseph grabbed her elbow. “If I have to suffer through this, then so must you.”

  “Suffer through what?” she hissed. “And I’m sure it’s highly improper for you to be dragging me about this way.”

  “Quite possibly, but I’ve always found in this household, there is safety in numbers.”

  “My lord, I should not be seen in your company. I am a governess, and as such I need to spend time with the servants and—”

  “Yes, yes, the servant thing again,” Joseph said, ignoring Milly’s attempts to get away. He continued walking. Loud voices greeted them as they approached the dining room, and Milly turned a questioning look at the butler.

  “Do the Wimpletstows have company?”

  The servant shook his head and moved to open the doors, and Joseph felt unease permeate the pit of his stomach, but placed a determined smile on his face as he entered the room.

  “I’ll take your dog, Miss Higglesworth.”

  Joseph took the lead from Milly, as she seemed incapable, and handed Mugwort to the butler.

  “Lord Ellsworth!” the butler bellowed in strenuous tones. “And Miss Higglesworth.”

  Silence descended as all eyes swung toward Joseph and Milly. Joseph could see that Lord Wimplestow had made haste to tell his family of their arrival. Every one of them was on the move, stuffing things behind furniture, or tidying themselves.

  “Come, come, both of you. Take seats!” Lord Wimplestow boomed. “You are in the country now, and as you see our manners are easy.” Lord Wimplestow waved Joseph and Milly to chairs, as the rest of his family scrambled to do the same.

  “I will take a cup of tea with the staff.” Milly attempted to back away from Joseph, but his hand held her in place.

  “No indeed, we do not stand on ceremony here, Miss Higglesworth,” Lord Wimplestow said. “Come, sit. We will share your first meal at Wimplestow House together.”

  Joseph swallowed his smile at the small noise Milly made as she took in the scene before her. It was a mild shriek.

  Milly’s position as governess meant she should not be sitting down with the earl and the Wimplestow family, but was unsure how to stop that from happening, as Lord Ellsworth and the baron seemed intent that she do so. She perched on the edge of the seat she had been waved to, and tried not to shudder at what lay around her.

  The house was a mess. Papers, clothes, and items everywhere. There was a pair of muddied boots resting by the fireside, and a set of dirty prints leading to it. She was not one to comment; after all, people had the right to live as they chose... but really, this was beyond anything she had seen before.

  “My lord, I know you have met all my family, but I shall make the introductions for Miss Higglesworth. To your left is my Fanny, the prettiest filly I ever saw. Bore this brood and still looks as sprightly as she did that day twenty years ago when I found her knee-deep in her father’s sty.”

  Milly coughed to hide her surprise as she turned to face the lady of the house. Tight gray curls surrounded what could only in half-light be called a homely face, with large round eyes of undetermined color. Milly nodded, as she was seated, rather than curtsy, as surely she should to this woman.

  “I shall have to watch you, my lord; most men find my Fanny irresistible.”

  Loud guffaws greeted these words, and not, as Milly had instantly expected, from the baron; no, they were from his filly.

  “Indeed, there is little doubting her... her....” Lord Ellsworth seemed momentarily lost for words, but managed to rally. “Ah... charms,” he added lamely. This however seemed to please Lord Wimplestow, who now accompanied his wife in a symphony of off-key guffaws.

  “And this fine young heifer, Miss Higglesworth, is my Angus, named after my favorite breed of cattle, you understand.”

  Milly felt the swell of hysterical laughter rise in her chest as she studied the eldest Wimplestow child. The eager gaze of Angus Wimplestow looked wide-eyed back at her. Round apple cheeks sat in a round pink face, and a thatch of sandy hair stood out in every direction, with not an ounce of curl in sight. Indeed, a large, healthy, ah... a specimen, she thought, for want of a better word, as she studied the dinner-plate-sized hands with grubby fingernails clasped around a glass of ale.

  “Ah, yes indeed,” she managed. “A fine-looking young gentleman, Lord Wimplestow. You must be very proud.”

  “And this,” the baron said, pointing to another of his progeny, “is my eldest girl, Apple-blossom, your charge. You’ll not be believing how we came up with that name, I’m betting, Lord Ellsworth?”

  Looking at the tall girl with masses of unruly red curls and freckles, Milly wondered how she was to get her ready to be presented next season. She sat slouched in her chair, shoulders hunched, eating a cream cake. Her mouth was so full, it was a wonder she did not choke. She did have lovely skin, however, and bright blue eyes. There was potential, but it would certainly take work. A great deal of work, she thought, watching a dollop of cream roll down the girl’s chin and onto her bodice.

  “Indeed, I cannot.” The earl spoke calmly, and Milly shot him a quick look. He turned briefly and caught her eye, and the words that would accompany that look would have been I did try to warn you. Needing to ease the dryness in her throat, Milly took a sip of the tea that had just been placed before her.

  She could not comprehend that
she was sitting in this room, with Joseph, and he did not know her identity. Her disguise, it seemed, worked better than even she had realized.

  “Copulation, my lord.”

  Milly spluttered, then coughed, all the while struggling valiantly not to spray tea everywhere and spit out her cheek rolls.

  “I... I... ah, beg your pardon?”

  Milly noted the earl did not sound quite so calm now. One large hand was fisted on his thigh, and his body was suddenly tense.

  “When my Apple-blossom was born, my lord, I was out counting my stock. Upon my return, I noticed four out of five of our apple trees were in flower, and it was then the name came to me, and of course my Fanny agreed.”

  “Computation, Papa. For heaven’s sake, must you always get it wrong,” said an exasperated voice from the end of the large table.

  Laughter once again boomed; this time, all the Wimplestows joined in the jocularity.

  “And the youngest member of my family is our little Rose, named for no other reason than that she is as sweet as her namesake,” Lord Wimplestow said, bestowing a benevolent look upon his youngest daughter.

  Relieved that she was to be spared a tale regarding the carnal pleasures the baron and his wife undertook to conceive Apple-blossom, Milly felt her pulse calm, and she offered the little girl a smile. With her sister’s coloring, the youngest Wimplestow could have been born into no other family.

  “You’ll have an easy job of it, Miss Higglesworth,” Lord Wimplestow added. “My Apple-blossom will be the belle of any event she attends, and already has a brace of beaus hanging on her every word.”

  Milly could feel the earl’s eyes on the side of her face, but not by the flicker of an eyelash did she betray her thoughts.

  “Yes indeed, she will surely be the belle of any ball.”

  “Well then, let’s eat, before venturing out to see that horse,” the baron added, and there followed the most horrific display of manners Milly had ever seen.

  The Wimplestows ate with relish off their own plates and each other’s, and the filly made no move to remove the piece of food wedged in the gap between her teeth that constantly drew Milly’s eyes. She turned again, and caught the earl’s eye; he gave her a wink, and she battled the need to beg him to take her with him back to Greyton. Of course, she could not, as it was best he never see her again. Even if he did not recognize her now, he may do so one day.

  “Will you attend the Stonleigh ball, Lord Ellsworth?”

  Apple-blossom asked the question, and followed it up with a look that Milly thought was meant to be coy. Good God, the girl surely did not think Lord Ellsworth a suitable prospect for her future spouse? Milly did not enjoy the spike of jealousy she suddenly felt, as she had no claim to this man anymore.

  “I will, but if you will excuse me, I must cut this delightful interlude short, and beg your father to show me the horse, as I must be on my way. My family will be arriving anytime now.”

  Milly rose with the earl, who had obviously also seen the look in Apple-blossom’s eyes.

  “I will have one of the staff show you to your room, Miss Higglesworth,” the filly said with a smile that softened her features, but did not remove the piece of food. “Then we shall meet to discuss matters.”

  “Thank you,” Milly said.

  “I’ll show her, Mama,” Rose Wimplestow said.

  Milly acknowledged everyone in the room, and lastly the earl, although she did not meet his eyes, as she was now battling an unreasonable bout of panic that this would be their last encounter. She had once loved this man with painful intensity. He was her past, and the memories associated with him were of happier times. Even if, upon a great deal of reflection, they were those of a young, naïve fool.

  “Good day to you, my lord.”

  “Good day, Miss Higglesworth.” His eyes held hers for precious seconds, and then Milly curtsied and left the room.

  “Shall I call you Miss Rose?”

  “Just Rose,” the little girl said, heading for a set of stairs with Milly on her heels.

  Her room was surprisingly big, and had a large, comfortable bed, drawers, a chair, and a desk. It overlooked the rear of the house, where there were plenty of outbuildings and yet more animals.

  “There is a parlor at the end of the hall. That is where Mama and Apple-blossom will meet you shortly.”

  “Thank you, Rose.”

  The little girl stood inside the doorway, watching Milly as she opened her bag. A lot smaller than her siblings, she had a sweet, open face.

  “Do you play the piano, Miss Higglesworth?”

  “I do, yes.”

  “I do too, but wish to improve. Will you teach me while you are here?”

  “Of course, if your mother wishes me too.”

  The little girl seemed happy with that reply.

  “ I have brought a small dog named Daisy with me—”

  “Really?” Rose smiled. “Where is she?”

  “The butler took her. I was wondering if—”

  “I shall find her for you at once.” Before she could draw another breath, Rose had left the room at a run.

  Milly put away her things, pulled back the covers to check the sheets, and was relieved that they were clean. She then dusted the furniture with a handkerchief. After tidying her appearance, she went to the parlor at the end of the hall. This was to be her life now, here with the Wimplestow family; she would think of the tall, handsome earl no more.

  Chapter Seven

  “Apple-blossom, you must not put quite so much food into your mouth at one time. Ladies nibble, then dab at their lips with a napkin should they need to.”

  Milly was taking tea with the Wimplestow ladies, one week after her arrival at Wimplestow House. While she had not expected to enjoy her time here, the truth was, she had. These people may have the manners of barnyard animals, yet they had big, generous hearts, and a love for each other that was humbling. They were also trying hard to take direction from her in manners… most especially table manners.

  “But I’m hungry, Milly, and if I do not eat quickly, then someone else may take everything.”

  Apple-blossom was not a quick study, it was fair to say. Milly had simplified things and focused on a few basic principles of being a lady to begin with, and while she was making progress, the going was slow.

  “There is plenty of food, and young ladies do not carry on that way. It is all about perception, Apple-blossom. People must see you behaving in a way that befits your status as a lady, or they will not accept you, and I know you do not wish that.”

  Lady Wimplestow nodded, but remained silent. They had battled wills a time or two, but Milly had managed to win most rounds. Today, for example, they were going into Stonleigh, as the dressmaker there was superior to the one in Spindle, to have Apple-blossom fitted for more dresses. The ones she had were quite unsuitable, even though some of them were new.

  “Try not to slouch, Apple-blossom. Straight back, chin raised.”

  The girl tried, Milly could not fault her for that, but the problem was she would rather be outside romping over the fields with her brother and father, mucking out pigs and grooming horses, than learning dance steps and polite conversation.

  “And now, ladies, we shall ready ourselves for our outing to Stonleigh,” Milly said when all the food was eaten. A Wimplestow, she had come to realize, did not leave a table unless the plates were cleaned.

  Another cool day greeted them as they left the house. Lady Wimplestow was accompanying Milly and Apple-blossom, as she too wished for a new dress for the ball.

  Watching the scenery pass by, Milly thought that she could be comfortable here until she was no longer needed. Yes, the family tended to be loud and rambunctious, but they were good people, unlike many of the noble families she had met and known. Living with the Wimplestows would likely mean she would not run into anyone from her old life either, except of course the earl, but even then it was unlikely she would see him but in passing, or from a distance. />
  They had taught her a great deal in the week she had lived with them, chief among which was that appearances may be everything in society, yet they were not in the family environment. They were kind and caring to each other, and as she’d lived with a father who was neither, the Wimplestow family was a revelation.

  “Do you ride, Milly?”

  “I can ride a horse, Lady Wimplestow, but governesses do not often do so.”

  “However, we would be happy if you rode with Apple-blossom to ensure she carries herself as a lady should.”

  “Mama,” Apple-blossom groaned loudly. “How will I best Angus if I must ride like a lady?”

  “Sidesaddle,” Milly added, as Apple-blossom usually wore breeches and rode astride around her father’s lands, and nothing Milly had yet said would deter her from this.

  The girl groaned again.

  “Do you have a riding habit, Milly?”

  Once she’d had many, but Milly shook her head.

  “We shall have one of ours altered for you.”

  “That is very kind of you, Lady Wimplestow, but it would not be right—”

  “We are not a family that does everything right, Milly, so you will humor me in this, and ensure my daughter does not appear out of place among her peers should she choose to ride in London.”

  The determined look in Lady Wimplestow’s eyes told Milly she knew just how hard the change was going to be on her daughter, and that she would need all the help she could get.

  “Of course, I shall be delighted to help.”

  Milly had kept up her disguise of placing the small rolls in her cheeks and wearing her glasses and padding. At least if she did chance upon anyone from her past, it was unlikely they would recognize her. It was often the case that nobility barely acknowledged those beneath them anyway.

  “There is Greyton!” Apple-blossom clapped her hands in excitement. “Oh, to be lady of such a house.”

  Milly ignored the jolt of jealousy at the girl’s words. Neither of them had any chance of being lady of that particular manor. Once, but no longer. She had thought about Joseph even though she had tried to push him back into that place in her head that held the painful memories. The ones that had the power to hurt her.