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Lilian popped an almond into her mouth. “I am glad I could ease your mind,” she said around the bite.
* * *
Rhys descended the steps and turned toward Isabel’s room the next day, his heart heavy. He had just checked on Millicent and was disappointed to see her already sleeping. He had missed a few nights of tucking her into bed as he was working later than usual. And now, he wouldn’t see her for a few days more.
He heaved a sigh, feeling extremely tired. He needed to speak with Isabel regarding the new turn of events, and he hoped she would ease his mind about Millicent.
As he ventured toward Isabel’s bedchamber, he noticed that he didn’t want to enter his room at all. Not even to change. Not even to check if his windows had been shut and his hearth lit. How long did it take for the walls to dry, anyhow?
He knew it was the servants’ ploy to get the two of them together, and to be frank, he didn’t mind at all. He’d gotten quite used to the tiny bundle of heat by his side. He’d gotten used to her tangled hair on his pillow. He’d even gotten used to her kicking him in the middle of the night.
He never wanted to go back to his chamber.
It was not only cold in that room, but it was also lonely. And he’d had enough of being lonely.
He opened the door to a dimly lit room. Isabel was already in bed, reading by the light of a lone candle. She immediately sat up straighter as she saw him and fixed the nightcap atop her head.
“Good evening,” Rhys rasped. He cleared his throat and walked further into the room.
Isabel placed her book on the bedside table and cautiously watched his approach. “How was your day, husband?”
Butterflies flew around his stomach at the word husband. How easy it was to ruffle him. He sat on the bed next to her.
“It was good. Busy. How is Millicent? She fell asleep without seeing me again.”
“We went to the village today, and she had a lot of fun playing with the children. Her dress was all dirty, and she lost her bonnet, but she seemed happy.”
Rhys let out a laugh. “I would have liked to see that.”
“Well, Mrs. Pemberley would have happily traded places with you. She was not amused.”
“And is Millicent still as reserved about her governess?”
“Yes. But the fact that she was happily jumping around with the children in the village tells me that she just needs some time to get used to her. And that she still needs time to hop around in puddles.”
Rhys reached out and hid a loose tendril of hair back under her nightcap. Isabel smiled shyly.
“I trust your judgment,” he said.
Isabel looked at him, startled. She obviously had not expected him to say that. But he needed to say that, more for his own benefit than hers.
“Well, I shall be certain to rescue her from time to time and take her to the village. She loves it there. And it clears that customary frown off her face.”
Rhys furrowed his brows. “What customary frown?”
Isabel chuckled. “The one you’re wearing right now. She is her father’s daughter.”
Something inside Rhys squeezed. He cleared his throat.
“I received some news… I might need to travel to Thornsby again.”
“Is something wrong?”
“On the contrary, things seem to be progressing, and I need to keep a close eye to make certain everything is built to better withstand the floods if they come again. And… And that requires me to stay a few nights there. I shall be working till late at night, and it just doesn’t make sense for me to travel back and forth.”
“Oh.” She looked down, her expression lost. “But the house party is in less than two weeks.”
“I shall return by that time, I promise. But I need to leave now, or I won’t be able to go there until the party is over.” He paused. “Will you fare well by yourself?”
