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Isabel’s gaze fell to that part of his body. She swallowed as the powerful muscles seemed to want to burst from inside the confining fabric of his breeches.

A loud thud inside the carriage startled Isabel, and she snatched her gaze from the enticing physique of her husband. She looked at the nursemaid, who looked back at her in confusion. Then Edith slowly bent down and picked Isabel’s embroidery from the floor.

“Oh,” Isabel exclaimed as she took it in her hands. “Apologies, I got distracted. I completely forgot I was holding this in my hand.”

Heat crept up Isabel’s neck and up to her face. She hoped the nursemaid noticed neither her blush nor what had caught Isabel’s attention outside the carriage.

Isabel turned to Millie in her attempt to break the tension and take her mind off the embarrassing incident. “Are you good at embroidering, Millie?”

The girl narrowed her eyes at Isabel before muttering, “It’s Millicent.”

Oh. Isabel slightly reared back. She wasn’t exactly expecting an enthusiastic response. The girl had been avoiding Isabel the entire journey, but she wasn’t prepared for hostility either.

“Very well, Millicent. Are you good with a needle?”

Millicent turned away and looked out the window.

Isabel took a deep breath. “Ladies are expected to answer when they are being addressed, Millicent. Since you are a marquess’s daughter, you need to know those rules.”

Millicent pretended not to hear a thing.

Isabel turned to the nursemaid and smiled tightly.

“Just give her time, my lady,” Edith said quietly, then sent Isabel a reassuring smile.

At least one person in the household was on Isabel’s side. That made her feel a little better.

“Have you been in the marquess’s employ for a long time, Edith?” Isabel asked.

“Just about four years, my lady,” Edith answered.

“Then you must know the house rather well. I am looking forward to—”

Isabel was rudely interrupted as Millie tugged on Edith’s sleeve and excitedly pointed out the window. “Look, Edith! A badger! It is a badger, right?”

Edith threw an apologetic look toward Isabel, and the Isabel just gave her a nod.

The nursemaid moved closer to Millicent as she proceeded to tell her all the things she knew about badgers and other animals that resided in this part of England, which ones she’d seen, and which ones she had failed to spot.

Next came a conversation about which animal Button would catch quickest. From then on, conversation moved to anything that would exclude Isabel and not let her converse with the nursemaid.

* * *

They arrived home late in the evening. Their journey had gotten delayed by a storm that started a few miles away from the manor, so they had to reduce the speed to a slow walk.

Millicent was already sleeping, so Vane swept her into his arms and led everyone inside.

“Mrs. Ainsworth, please, gather all the servants and introduce her ladyship.”

An older woman in a dark brown frock scurried to follow the order.

“You are the one who—” Isabel started, but Vane shushed her and tipped his head toward the sleeping child in his arms. “Mrs. Ainsworth will show you to our quarters,” he said and continued up the stairs without another word.

Isabel looked at the dog, who had just entered the hall, followed by a couple of footmen. Button barked once at Isabel and trotted after his master.

Even the damned dog had abandoned her.

A few moments later, tired, but feigning good spirit, the servants had gathered in the hall.