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“It is?” Isabel raised her brow. “I didn’t think you wanted us to spend time together.”

“I didn’t,” he admitted. “But I can’t keep shielding my daughter from life. She enjoyed listening to you read. I think this would be a good start for you two to bond. I will bring her here every time you read. And maybe by the time your ankle heals, she will be more amenable to wanting to spend some time alone with you.”

“And would you be amenable to that?” She peered into the marquess’s troubled eyes.

Isabel felt his muscles tighten beneath her fingers, and that’s when she realized something she should have realized all along. His mistrust toward her had nothing to do with her.

He just didn’t trust anyone with Millicent.

She wanted to know why. She wanted to learn what lurked in the dark corners of his mind, but she didn’t persist. Not yet.

“I shall have to learn to be,” he answered hoarsely. Then cleared his throat. “In the meantime, would you like to learn how to control Button?”

Chapter 16

For the next few days, Rhys spent every morning bringing Millicent to listen to Lady Isabel read at the bookshop. It was quite ironic that they had to leave the house to spend time with the marchioness they shared a roof with.

After the reading hour, Rhys taught Lady Isabel to control Button, or at least he tried. She was completely hopeless.

The dog refused to listen to her commands, and every time he ran toward her, Lady Isabel just hid behind Vane and refused to face the dog.

The sight was hilarious because Button obviously loved his new mistress and wanted to play with her and embrace her every chance he got.

Playing outside with his dog and his wife, Rhys suddenly felt young and unburdened. And the old yearning scraped at his heart, a yearning for a real family, a loving wife…

He had to shake himself from that feeling. As long as Lady Isabel proved to be a proper mistress and a good mother to Millie, that would have to be enough.

One morning, he and Millie were sitting at the breakfast table when Lady Isabel glided into the room. She smiled brightly then twirled in place. Her skirts swooshed, the wisps of her hair flapping as she halted and looked from Vane to Millicent expectantly. “Well?”

Vane furrowed his brows. “Is that a new gown?”

Lady Isabel raised a brow.

“Her limp is gone, Papa,” Millicent noted.

“You are correct. And that means that we can assume a more laborious activity before reading.” She sat gracefully behind the table and turned to Millie. “What do you say we all take a ride around the estate?”

Millie visibly perked up. “Can we, Papa?”

“There’s work that needs to be done,” he argued.

“Surely you can take a day off to spend with your family?” his wife insisted.

Family. Something squeezed in the region of his heart. Could they one day become a real family? He wanted nothing more.

“Why not?”

“Yes!” Millie jumped up from her seat.

“Did you finish your meal?” Rhys pointedly nudged his head toward her plate.

“I am not hungry, and I need to get ready for riding!” she exclaimed, hopping in place.

Rhys let out a sigh. He popped the piece of toast into his mouth, washed it down with coffee, and stood. “Come, then. You need to change into your riding habit.”

“Will I ride with you? Or my pony?” Millie asked as she skipped in excitement.

“Hmm… which one do you prefer?”